Diyas along the ghats
Thousands of lamps lit along the ghats on your route, seen from the water.
Dev Diwali boat booking · 24 November 2026
Dev Diwali 2026 · 24 November
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From last year's Dev Diwali on the Ganga. Exact decor and boat can vary by package and date — ask us for this year's photos.
The festival along the ghats.
Dev Diwali, also called Dev Deepawali, falls on Kartik Purnima — the full moon fifteen days after Diwali. Legend holds that on this night, the gods themselves descend to bathe in the Ganga. Nowhere is this celebrated with more devotion and scale than in Varanasi, where lakhs of clay diyas are lit along all 84 ghats, turning the riverfront into a shimmering wall of light.
A laser show, fire show, Ganga Aarti rituals and live music play out across the ghats, with thousands of diyas lining the steps. From the crowded ghats, you catch only a slice of it. From a boat on the Ganga near Ravidas and Namo Ghat, you get an open, uncrowded view of the illuminated riverfront, reflected in the water around you.
Quick facts: Date — Tuesday, 24 November 2026 · Boarding — Ravidas Ghat, toward Namo Ghat · On the ride — laser show, fire show, Ganga Aarti and live music · Pricing — ₹2,999–₹12,999 per person · Advance booking — strongly recommended 3–4 weeks ahead.
Page last reviewed: 21 October 2026, for the 2026 festival date and pricing.
What You'll See
Highlights of the Night
Every moment of Dev Diwali, viewed from the water.
Laser Show
Coordinated laser beams light up the ghats and riverfront after dark.
Fire Show
A fire show lights up the night sky over the river during the ride.
Ganga Aarti & Live Music
Aarti rituals and live music play out across the ghats as you drift past.
Tell us your preferred colours and occasion. We’ll share recent setup photos when planning your booking.
Reserve Early
Dev Diwali 2026 Boat Packages
All packages include the full Dev Diwali viewing window, boarding from Ravidas Ghat. Per-person pricing below — confirm your seats and any extras on WhatsApp.
Platinum and Diamond go first each year — book early to secure them.
Silver
Normal Motor Boat
₹2,999/ person
- 2.5-hour viewing window
- Full ghat & diya view
- Life jackets included
Gold
Light Motor Boat
₹4,999/ person
- 2.5–3 hour viewing window
- Comfortable seating
- Life jackets included
Complete setup
Platinum
Bajra Boat
₹9,999/ person
- 3-hour viewing window
- Iconic wide open deck
- Life jackets included
Diamond
Luxury Cruise
₹12,999/ person
- 3+ hour viewing window
- AC lounge & washroom
- Life jackets included
Optional arrangements
Optional extras
Discuss any extras with the team so the inclusions and costs are clear in your quote.
Photographer / Videographer
Professional shots and a reel of the diyas, the Aarti and the fire show.
Priority Early Boarding
Skip the worst of the crowd with a guaranteed early boarding slot.
Blankets & Refreshments
November evenings on the water get cool — stay warm with blankets, tea or snacks.
Premium Front-Deck Seating
Reserve the best unobstructed spot on deck for photos and viewing.
Private Full-Boat Buyout
Hire the entire boat privately instead of shared seating, for your group only.
On-Board Catering
A fuller snack or dinner spread, especially on the Luxury Cruise.
Explore Each Boat
Compare Our Dev Diwali Boats
What Happens on the Night
Events of the Evening
The order of a typical Dev Diwali evening on the Ravidas Ghat–Namo Ghat stretch — roads and ghats get crowded fast, so plan to arrive with time to spare.
01
Arrival & Boarding
Arrive at Ravidas Ghat and board your boat as it gets ready to push off.
02
Diyas Begin to Glow
As dusk falls, lamps are lit along the ghats on your route.
03
Laser Show
Coordinated laser beams light up the ghats and riverfront.
04
Fire Show
A fire show lights up the night sky over the river.
05
Ganga Aarti & Live Music
Aarti rituals and live music play out across the ghats as you drift past.
06
Peak Glow Along the Ghats
The Ravidas–Namo stretch is at its brightest, with lamps glowing at every ghat along your route.
07
Return to Shore
Cruise back slowly, the memory of the night's lights still glowing behind you.
Laser Show, Fire Show and Ganga Aarti are organised by UP Tourism, not Events on Boat, so exact timing can shift year to year — treat this as the order of the evening rather than a fixed schedule. We share the latest timing on WhatsApp closer to your date.
Plan Ahead
How to Book Your Dev Diwali Boat
1
WhatsApp Us Early
Message +91 63900 08503 now — Dev Diwali boats sell out weeks in advance.
2
Choose Your Boat
Pick from Silver to Diamond packages based on group size and comfort level.
3
Arrive & Witness the Magic
Board at Ravidas Ghat and watch the laser show, fire show and Ganga Aarti light up the ghats.
Transparent per-person pricingCertified life jacketsExperienced festival-night boatmenPhotography add-on available
The team confirms your assigned boat, final inclusions and boarding instructions before your booking is locked.
Boarding Point
Where You'll Board
Your Dev Diwali boat boards from Ravidas Ghat and cruises toward Namo Ghat for the viewing window — a calmer, easier-access stretch of Varanasi's riverfront, south of the main crowd crush at Dashashwamedh and Assi Ghat. Administration-enforced crowd control can still shift boarding points on the night itself; we'll share final directions and parking advice on WhatsApp closer to the date.
- रविदास घाटRavidas Ghat — your primary boarding point; quieter approach with easier vehicle access
- नमो घाटNamo Ghat — modern, spacious ghat where the route turns back; used for larger group boarding
- Both ghats sit south of the busiest crowds, so boarding and parking are typically smoother
Good to Know
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Our Dev Diwali 2026 Policy
- Cancel 7+ days before the event (by 17 November 2026)Receive a full refund.
- Cancel within 7 days of 24 November 2026Non-refundable — though we’ll try to help with rescheduling if weather or administration-enforced crowd control affects your slot.
Advance payment is required to lock your seats for Dev Diwali — message us on WhatsApp for exact terms before you pay.
Good to Know
Dev Diwali Boat Booking FAQs
Tuesday, 24 November 2026 — the full moon night of Kartik Purnima, 15 days after Diwali.
Ghats get extremely crowded on Dev Diwali. A boat gives you an open, uncrowded view of the illuminated ghats, diyas and river rituals along your route — all from the water.
Boats sell out weeks in advance. We strongly recommend booking at least 3–4 weeks ahead, especially for the Bajra and Luxury Cruise.
All four — Normal Motor Boat (₹2,999/person), Light Motor Boat (₹4,999/person), the iconic Bajra Boat (₹9,999/person) and the Luxury Cruise (₹12,999/person).
All Dev Diwali boats board from Ravidas Ghat and cruise toward Namo Ghat for the viewing window. We’ll share exact parking and walking directions on WhatsApp closer to the date.
Roads and ghats get very crowded closer to evening, so we recommend arriving at Ravidas Ghat with time to spare. We confirm the exact reporting time on WhatsApp closer to your date, since programme timing is set by UP Tourism each year.
A laser show, fire show, Ganga Aarti rituals and live music play out across the illuminated ghats as you drift past on the Ravidas–Namo stretch. Exact programme timing is set by UP Tourism each year, so we share the latest schedule on WhatsApp closer to your date.
Cancel at least 7 days before the event (by 17 November 2026) for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of 24 November 2026 are non-refundable, though we’ll try to help with rescheduling if weather or crowd control affects your slot.
More questions about your celebration
Yes — certified life jackets for every guest and experienced boatmen familiar with high river traffic.
Most boats have a covered section for light rain, and diya lighting usually continues regardless. In heavy rain or unsafe conditions, we help with rescheduling options where possible.
No — Dev Diwali falls 15 days after the main Diwali festival, on Kartik Purnima, and is celebrated uniquely in Varanasi with diyas lit across the city’s ghats.
Snacks and refreshments can be arranged as an add-on, and the Luxury Cruise offers on-board catering.
Yes — child-size life jackets are available. We recommend the Bajra or Luxury Cruise for families with young children given the calmer, spacious deck.
Yes — we recommend the Bajra or Luxury Cruise for senior citizens given the more stable, spacious deck. Let us know in advance so we can help with boarding.
Parking near Ravidas Ghat is limited on Dev Diwali night, though vehicle access is easier here than at the main ghats further north. Arrive early — we share the best directions on WhatsApp closer to the date.
Yes — it’s Varanasi’s busiest night on the water. Per-person pricing for each boat is listed above (₹2,999–₹12,999); the final amount depends on your chosen boat and any add-ons.
Pricing depends on boat type, group size, viewing duration and inclusions like life jackets. Our pricing above is per person with no hidden charges — the exact total is confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay the advance.
Yes — given how far ahead these boats sell out, an advance is usually required to lock your seats, with the balance payable on the day.
The Normal and Light Motor Boat and Bajra are traditional open-deck boats for a closer, breezier view; the Luxury Cruise is an enclosed AC cabin experience. All four travel the same Ravidas Ghat–Namo Ghat stretch during the viewing window.
November evenings on the Ganga get cool — wear warm layers and comfortable shoes for the ghat steps. Blankets can be arranged as an add-on.
Yes — for larger groups, the Normal or Light Motor Boat can be booked in full. Message us on WhatsApp with your headcount for pricing.
Plan your boat booking
Share your date and guest count. We’ll help you choose a boat and work out the details.