Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, is a city where every corner reverberates with history, culture, and devotion. While the ghats along the Ganges river, the ancient temples, and the narrow, bustling lanes are always alive with energy, it is the festivals that bring an extra layer of magic to this timeless city. Each celebration in Varanasi is not just an event; it’s an expression of the city’s deep-rooted spirituality, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant community life. Let’s explore the major festivals celebrated throughout the year in this holy city.

1. Makar Sankranti (January)

The festival of harvest, lights, and joy

Makar Sankranti marks the arrival of the sun into Capricorn, signaling the end of winter and the start of a new harvest season. In Varanasi, the celebration begins with people taking a holy dip in the Ganges, believed to purify their soul. Pilgrims and locals alike gather to offer prayers, and the sky is filled with colorful kites soaring high, symbolizing the beginning of the harvest and the victory of light over darkness. Street vendors sell tilgul (sesame sweets), and the streets buzz with an infectious energy.

2. Mahashivaratri (February/March)

A night dedicated to Lord Shiva

One of the most significant festivals in Varanasi, Mahashivaratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees from all over India visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, to offer prayers, chant mantras, and observe fasts throughout the night. The city is lit up with lamps, and the sound of bells and hymns fills the air. Pilgrims take a dip in the holy river, believing it will wash away their sins. The whole night is spent in devotion, and temples around the city remain open for 24 hours, drawing millions of worshippers.

3. Holi (March)

The festival of colors and love

Though Holi is celebrated all across India, Varanasi's celebration is uniquely vibrant. The ghats, streets, and temples come alive with splashes of bright colors, as locals and tourists alike revel in the spirit of love and joy. The city witnesses grand processions, accompanied by music, dance, and drum beats. The famous Lathmar Holi at the Banke Bihari temple in Varanasi is a must-see event where participants indulge in playful, yet intense, color fights. It’s an explosion of color, laughter, and togetherness, marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

4. Ganga Dussehra (May/June)

A tribute to the Ganges river

The ten-day festival of Ganga Dussehra is a grand celebration that honors the goddess Ganga, who is worshipped as a life-giving and purifying force. Devotees come from all over to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges and offer prayers to the river, which is considered the mother of all rivers in Hindu mythology. On the final day of the festival, the ghats of Varanasi are illuminated with thousands of diyas (oil lamps), and the evening aarti is a sight to behold, with colorful flames and devotional chants filling the air. The entire city becomes a divine celebration of life and water.

5. Diwali (October/November)

The festival of lights

Diwali, the festival of lights, is perhaps the most awaited and grandest celebration in Varanasi. Known as the city of Lord Shiva, Varanasi celebrates Diwali with unmatched fervor, especially around the Ganges. The ghats are beautifully lit with oil lamps, and the river reflects the lights, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. The Ganga Aarti, a nightly ritual, takes on an even more magical dimension during Diwali, with an extra display of firecrackers, prayers, and festivities. Temples, homes, and markets glow with lights and rangoli (colorful floor designs), and people exchange sweets and gifts, marking the victory of light over darkness.

6. Navaratri (September/October)

Nine nights of devotion

Navaratri, the nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Varanasi. The city’s temples host special rituals, and devotees fast, sing devotional songs, and perform aartis to honor the divine feminine energy. During the final day of Navaratri, Vijayadashami or Dussehra is observed, which signifies the triumph of good over evil. The vibrant processions, including the famous Durga Visarjan (immersion of idols), are a spectacle of devotion and culture, with colorful costumes, music, and dances adding to the celebrations.

7. Raksha Bandhan (August)

A celebration of sibling bonds

Raksha Bandhan, the festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, is a heartfelt event in Varanasi as well. Sisters tie the sacred thread, or rakhi, on their brothers' wrists while praying for their long life and happiness. In return, brothers give gifts and promise to protect their sisters. The ghats of Varanasi also witness the ritual of taking a holy dip on this auspicious day, and many visit the temples to seek blessings for their families.

8. Buddha Jayanti (April/May)

Celebrating Lord Buddha’s birth and teachings

Varanasi, being closely linked with Lord Buddha, also celebrates Buddha Jayanti with reverence. The event marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. Buddhist monks, devotees, and tourists gather in the Sarnath region (just outside Varanasi), where Buddha delivered his first sermon. The day is filled with prayer meetings, processions, and offerings of flowers and incense at the various Buddhist stupas. The serene atmosphere of Sarnath during this time is a perfect reflection of the peaceful teachings of Buddha.

9. Kartik Purnima (November)

The full moon celebration by the Ganges

Kartik Purnima, celebrated during the full moon night of the Hindu lunar month of Kartika, is another important festival in Varanasi. It is a time when thousands of devotees gather to take a holy dip in the Ganges to wash away their sins and offer prayers for spiritual growth. On this day, the Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat is particularly grand, with hundreds of priests performing synchronized rituals in the glow of thousands of lamps, creating a divine spectacle that leaves visitors spellbound.

10. Janmashtami (August/September)

Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna

Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with immense devotion and excitement in Varanasi. Temples dedicated to Krishna, like the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Dwarkadhish Temple, are beautifully decorated. Devotees sing bhajans (devotional songs) and dance in ecstasy, commemorating Krishna’s life and his divine leelas (pastimes). The night of Janmashtami is filled with dramatic reenactments of Krishna's childhood stories, and the city comes alive with devotion.

Celebrate life and tradition at Varanasi’s festivals with skyroutetravel.com