What Is Ganga Mahotsav?
Ganga Mahotsav is a festival celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, specifically in Varanasi—one of India’s most ancient and spiritually significant cities.
- Duration & Timing: It’s a five-day annual festival that typically starts on Prabodhini Ekadashi and culminates with Dev Deepawali, the full moon night of Kartik.
- Purpose: The festival honors the cultural heritage of the Gangetic plains and showcases Varanasi as a living cradle of spiritual and artistic traditions.
- Organizer: It’s organized by the Mahotsav Samiti under the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department.
Celebrations & Highlights
Rituals & Spiritual Splendor
- Marks the festival’s opening with Deep Daan, setting afloat thousands of earthen lamps (diyas) that illuminate the river, creating a serene and magical ambiance.
- Includes spectacular Ganga Aartis, devotional rituals performed along the ghats that resonate with Vedic chants and the lighting of lamps.
Cultural Extravaganza
- Hosts classical performances—music and dance—by celebrated artists, such as sarod and tabla jugalbandis, Kathak, Kuchipudi, and more.
- Offers a craft bazaar (Shilp Mela), showcasing traditional handicrafts, artisanal goods, and local cuisine, offering both visual delight and shopping pleasure.
- Features sports and competitions such as boat races, kite flying, wrestling, and even a Ganga marathon, adding fun and festive spirit.
Spiritual & Cultural Blend
- Visitors experience the interplay of spirituality, artistry, and cultural heritage—incense, music, devotional chants, and vibrant performances combine to create a deeply evocative atmosphere.
Grand Finale: Dev Deepawali
- The festival culminates on Dev Deepawali (Kartika Purnima), when the ghats are adorned with over a million lit diyas, creating a breathtaking spectacle of light that draws devotees and tourists alike.
In Summary
- Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- ⏳ When: 5-day festival each year from Prabodhini Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali).
- Celebrations: Traditional rituals, classical cultural performances, handicraft fairs, sporting events, and a spectacular lamp-lit finale.
- Celebrated by: Organized by the UP Tourism Department to highlight the Ganges and Varanasi’s heritage