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Dev Diwali Tour Packages 2026: Varanasi Boat, Ganga Aarti & Ghat Experience
Dev Diwali tour packages by TripCosmos: private boat, Ganga Aarti viewing and guided ghat visits in Varanasi. Dev Deepawali 2026 falls on 24 November 2026 (Kartik Purnima), fifteen days after Diwali, when over a million diyas light up the ghats. Below you will find package prices, what each one includes, the evening plan, the best ghats and how to book. To reserve a boat, message us on WhatsApp at +91 9336116210.
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What Is Dev Diwali?
Dev Diwali, also written Dev Deepawali, is the “Festival of Lights of the Gods”. It marks the day the gods are believed to descend to bathe in the Ganga, and it is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik. It is different from Diwali, which honours Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya. In Varanasi the celebration is spread across the river front: every ghat is lined with earthen lamps, priests perform the Ganga Aarti with conch shells, flames and chanting, and thousands of boats glide past the illuminated steps.
Because the whole riverfront becomes the stage, the best way to see it is from the water. That is why most of our Dev Diwali tour packages are built around a reserved boat with a good position, a guide who explains what you are seeing, and a smooth pickup and drop so you are not stuck in festival traffic.
Dev Diwali 2026 Dates and Festival Week
Dev Deepawali 2026 is on 24 November 2026. It is the culmination of Ganga Mahotsav, the riverside cultural festival that runs from 19 to 24 November in Varanasi. If you can stay a few extra days, you can combine music and cultural evenings earlier in the week with the main Dev Deepawali night. See our complete Dev Deepawali 2026 guide for the full festival picture.
Dev Diwali 2026 Package Prices
| Package | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Boat + Ritual Tour | From ₹3,500 per person | Solo travellers, small groups |
| Couple Package | ₹6,500 for two | Couples |
| Family Package | ₹12,500 for four | Families |
| VIP Package | ₹5,500 to ₹9,000 per person | Decorated boat, reserved ghat seating |
| Luxury Family Package | From ₹14,999 for up to four | Private boat in a prime position |
| Luxury Complete Experience | From ₹21,999 for four | Airport pickup, full-day circuit, sunrise ride |
| Multi-day Luxury Package | From ₹34,999 | Dev Diwali plus a full Varanasi circuit |
| 2N3D Dev Deepawali Tour Package | Check price and availability online | Hotel stay, daily breakfast, AC cab, Kashi Vishwanath VIP ticket and boat rides |
Group discounts apply for six or more travellers. Rates and availability change as the festival gets closer, so confirm on WhatsApp before you pay.
Which Package Should You Choose?
- Travelling alone or with friends: the Standard Boat + Ritual Tour gives you the boat, guide and diya ritual at the lowest price per person.
- Couples: the Couple Package covers two people for the full evening.
- Families with children or parents: the Family Package (four people) or the Luxury Family Package, which puts you on a private boat in a prime position.
- Photography or a special occasion: the VIP Package adds boat decoration, reserved ghat seating, photography assistance and priority positioning at several viewing points.
- Staying overnight: the 2N3D Dev Deepawali Tour Package adds a comfortable hotel, daily breakfast, an AC cab, a VIP ticket for Kashi Vishwanath Temple and boat rides. You can check availability or send an enquiry on that page.
- Combining Dev Diwali with the rest of Varanasi: the Luxury Complete Experience or the multi-day package includes airport pickup, a full-day circuit and a sunrise boat ride.
Want a bigger private setup? See our private boat booking guide and the Maharaja Bajra boat option.
What Is Included
- Premium boat in a good viewing position (2 to 2.5 hours on the water)
- Experienced guide explaining the festival, its traditions and the ghats
- Diya lighting ritual at the ghats
- Kartik Purnima puja materials with pandit guidance
- AC pickup and drop-off
- VIP and luxury tiers add boat decoration, reserved ghat seating, photography help, prasad and traditional sweets, or a private boat and English-speaking expert guide
Evening Itinerary
- 4:00 PM: hotel pickup
- 5:30 to 6:00 PM: board your reserved boat
- 6:00 to 6:30 PM: collective diya lighting ceremony
- Evening: panoramic cruise past the illuminated ghats, with the Ganga Aarti beginning around 6:30 to 7:00 PM
- 9:30 to 10:00 PM: return to your hotel
The Best Ghats to See Dev Diwali
- Dashashwamedh Ghat: the heart of the festival, with the most majestic Ganga Aarti.
- Assi Ghat: less crowded and a good choice for families or photography.
- Panchganga Ghat: spiritually significant and suited to quieter moments.
- Chet Singh and Raj Ghat: visually striking and slightly off the usual tourist trail.
The best-positioned boats are located between Dashashwamedh Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat, which is where our reserved positions are focused.
Tips for Dev Diwali Night
- Arrive by 3:00 PM if you want a good spot on the ghats before the crowds build.
- Dress modestly, especially during rituals.
- Stay near Dashashwamedh or Assi Ghat for easy access to the river.
- Hotels and boats sell out weeks in advance, so book early.
- A local guide makes the history and symbolism far easier to follow.
- Avoid plastic and use eco-friendly products to help keep the Ganga clean.
How to Book and Payment Terms
Boats sell out before Dev Deepawali. We recommend booking at least four to six weeks ahead. Luxury bookings need a 50% advance, with the balance due on the morning of the event. For the luxury family package, cancellations 21 or more days out get a 75% refund, 7 to 21 days a 50% refund, and within 7 days are non-refundable. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 9336116210 with your dates and group size and we will suggest the right package.
More options: Boat + Ritual Tour, Luxury Family Package, and the complete Dev Deepawali 2026 guide.
Dev Diwali Tour Package FAQs
When is Dev Diwali 2026?
Dev Diwali 2026 is on 24 November 2026, on Kartik Purnima, fifteen days after Diwali.
How much do Dev Diwali tour packages cost?
The standard boat and ritual tour starts at ₹3,500 per person, the couple package is ₹6,500 and the family package for four is ₹12,500. Luxury family packages start at ₹14,999 for up to four people.
How early should I book?
Book at least four to six weeks before Kartik Purnima, because boats and prime positions fill up.
Where are the best boat positions?
The best-positioned boats are between Dashashwamedh Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat.
What time does the Ganga Aarti start on Dev Diwali?
The grand Ganga Aarti typically begins around 6:30 to 7:00 PM.
What is the difference between Dev Diwali and Diwali?
Diwali honours Lord Rama’s return, while Dev Deepawali celebrates the gods descending to bathe in the Ganga. It falls fifteen days after Diwali on Kartik Purnima.
What is the cancellation policy?
For the luxury family package, cancellations 21 or more days out get a 75% refund, 7 to 21 days a 50% refund, and within 7 days are non-refundable. Ask us for the terms of other packages when you book.
