Watch a million diyas light up 84 ghats from the middle of the Ganga — laser show, fire show, live Ganga Aarti and live music, all from your own boat. Book your seat for Dev Deepawali, 24th November 2026 (Tuesday) — Kartik Purnima.
Dev Deepawali — the "Diwali of the Gods" — falls on Kartik Purnima, fifteen days after the main Diwali festival. According to legend, this is the night the gods themselves descend to Varanasi to bathe in the Ganga and celebrate Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura.
Kartik Purnima15 days after Diwali
84 GhatsAll lit up at once
Thousands of DiyasLining every ghat
Every ghat along the river is lined with thousands of oil lamps, the steps glow gold from Assi Ghat to Raj Ghat, and temples host special aartis with music, chanting, and fire shows. The only way to take in the full scale of it — all 84 ghats at once — is from a boat in the middle of the river.
Kashi — as Varanasi is known in its oldest scriptures — never looks quite like this on any other night of the year. If you're planning your trip further out or want to compare it with our regular Dev Diwali boat booking options, this page covers everything specific to the 2026 date.
Good to Know Before Your Dev Diwali Boat Booking 2026
Everything worth knowing before you step onto the boat.
Safety on the Ganga
Every guest is given a life jacket for the full duration of the ride. Please follow the boatman's instructions at all times, stay seated while the boat is moving, and maintain a respectful, peaceful environment for everyone on board.
What to Carry
A light jacket — November evenings on the river can be cool
Your phone or camera for photos
A small amount of cash for any personal purchases
Avoid carrying loose valuables that could slip into the river
Photography & Drones
Regular photography and filming is welcome on all our boats. Drone use around the ghats may be restricted in certain areas — if you're planning to fly one, please check with our team before your trip so we can advise on the current rules.
Getting to the Reporting Ghat
Flying in, you'll land at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS), about 45 minutes from the ghats. By train, Varanasi Junction (Varanasi Cantt) and Manduadih/Banaras stations both connect well to the rest of India. From either, we can help arrange airport pickup and drop straight to Ravidas Ghat, Nagwa in time for reporting. Let us know your travel details when you message us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dev Diwali Boat Booking 2026
Booking & Payment
Boats sell out well before the date. We recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance, earlier for larger groups or premium boats.
Yes — all three boats are shared/per-seat bookings, so any group size works. The Bajra Boat (shared with up to 40 people, 90-person capacity) is a popular choice for bigger groups.
No — all three packages (Normal Motor Boat, Light Motor Boat, and Bajra Boat) are shared boats booked per person, not privately chartered. The Light Motor Boat has the smallest shared group size if you'd prefer a quieter ride.
Payment options are shared and confirmed directly over WhatsApp or call once your booking is finalized.
The Light Motor Boat is a good all-round choice for first-time visitors — a smaller shared group and a closer ghat-side route. If you want the fullest experience with food and VIP upper-deck seating, the Bajra Boat is worth the upgrade.
Dev Diwali is an extremely high-demand night in Varanasi, so all boat ticket bookings are strictly non-refundable, under any circumstances — please confirm your plans before booking. Show timing for the Laser Show, Fire Show and Ganga Aarti is set by UP Tourism, not by us, so we're unable to guarantee or take responsibility for changes to their schedule.
On the Day
Reporting time is 4:00 PM at Ravidas Ghat, Nagwa, Varanasi. The boat ride starts at 5:00 PM and returns by around 8:00 PM. Please arrive on time — we're not able to accommodate delays or missed rides for late arrivals.
Yes. Children are welcome, and life jackets are provided for every guest regardless of age.
Yes. Life jackets are provided for every guest. Please mention any mobility concerns when booking so we can recommend the most comfortable package — the Bajra Boat's VIP upper-deck seating tends to suit older guests best.
Ravidas Ghat, Nagwa can get busy on Dev Diwali night. We'd recommend arriving a little early and, where possible, using a cab/auto to drop you close to the ghat rather than self-parking.
You'll walk down the ghat steps to reach the boat. It's a short distance, but wear comfortable footwear, especially if the steps are crowded.
We recommend travelling light with just personal items. Large luggage is best left at your hotel rather than brought on the boat ride.
If you need a place to stay, Hotel Near Ghat in Varanasi (Hotel Shivala Grand) is a budget AC hotel in Shivala, close to Assi Ghat — the same team handles both bookings, so it's easy to sort your stay and your boat ride together on WhatsApp.
Experience & Safety
Dev Diwali (Dev Deepawali) falls on Kartik Purnima, celebrated fifteen days after Diwali. In 2026 it falls on 24th November 2026 (Tuesday) — Kartik Purnima.
Regular photography is welcome on every boat. Drone use may be restricted in certain areas around the ghats — check with our team before your trip if you plan to fly one.
The Normal Motor Boat and Light Motor Boat both include a snacks box and mineral water. The Bajra Boat includes a full Banaras local food spread — chaat, gol gappa, tea, sweets, and mineral water.
On the Normal Motor Boat and Light Motor Boat, heavy boat traffic on the night means we may not be able to park directly at Dashashwamedh Ghat during the Aarti — you'll still get a river view of it. The Bajra Boat does not carry this restriction.
All boat ticket bookings are strictly non-refundable. Please arrive on time — late arrivals cannot be accommodated. The Laser Show, Fire Show and Ganga Aarti are organised by UP Tourism and their timing is outside our control. Any disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of Varanasi courts.
Seats Fill Up Fast for Dev Diwali Boat Booking 2026
Message us today to lock in your boat before the best slots are gone.