Quick answer: Dev Diwali 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026 (Kartik Purnima). The best place to see it is Varanasi, where lakhs of diyas light up the Ganga ghats. Pair it with Ayodhya for quiet Saryu river rituals and temples, and Jaipur for royal heritage and a short trip to Pushkar. Book hotels 4 to 6 weeks ahead, reach the ghats before 3 PM, and use boats or walking instead of cars to avoid traffic.
Normal Diwali is when people light lamps in their homes. Dev Diwali comes 15 days later, on the full moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik. People believe the gods come down to earth on this night to celebrate. It is also called Tripuri Purnima, because Lord Shiva is said to have defeated the demon Tripurasura on this day.
In 2026, Diwali is on 8 November, so Dev Diwali is on 24 November. Some websites show 25 November, so check the exact Purnima timing for your city on Drik Panchang before you pay for non-refundable bookings.
Pilgrims take a holy dip in the river early in the morning, give food, clothes or lamps to people in need (this is called deep-daan), and light diyas in the evening.
Why visit these three cities together?
Each city shows a different side of India:
City
What you feel there
Best for
Varanasi
Glowing, crowded, spiritual
Dev Diwali lights, boat rides, aarti
Ayodhya
Calm, devotional
Temples, Saryu ghats, peaceful evenings
Jaipur
Royal, colourful
Forts, havelis, bazaars, Pushkar
If your time is short, choose Varanasi and Ayodhya only. If you have 8 to 9 days, add Jaipur and Pushkar. If you would like a ready-made plan to compare, see our North India tour packages.
Varanasi is the heart of Dev Diwali. From Assi Ghat in the south to Raj Ghat in the north, the riverfront is covered with clay lamps, flowers and decorations. After sunset, the whole river looks like it is glowing.
Best ghats in Varanasi for Dev Diwali
There are around 80 ghats, but these are the ones most travellers enjoy most.
1. Dashashwamedh Ghat This is the main ghat and the busiest. The grand evening Ganga aarti happens here. It is exciting, but very crowded on Dev Diwali. Come very early if you want a front spot, or watch from a boat instead.
2. Assi Ghat Popular with younger travellers, students and photographers. It has a lively morning aarti (Subah-e-Banaras) and a relaxed feel. A good option if you want a calmer evening than Dashashwamedh.
3. Raj Ghat Quieter, wider, and good for seeing the lamps in an open space. It is also the end point of many boat rides on Dev Diwali.
4. Panchganga Ghat Known for its tall lamp tower (Hazara Deep), which is covered in lamps on special days. A beautiful photography spot.
5. Tulsi Ghat Linked with the saint Tulsidas. It has a peaceful, old-Varanasi feel.
6. Chet Singh Ghat Close to a historic fort-style building. It is known for stunning light displays on festival evenings.
7. Darbhanga Ghat and Kedar Ghat Pretty, heritage-style ghats with colourful buildings and good views from the water.
8. Namo Ghat A newer, cleaner ghat with wide steps. Good for families, elderly visitors and people who want less crowding.
A note on Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghat: These are cremation ghats. Please show respect, do not take photos of the ceremonies, and keep a quiet distance.
Best hotels in Varanasi (by budget)
Hotel prices go up sharply and rooms sell out around Dev Diwali, so book early. The safest strategy is to stay close to the ghats or on the ghat side of the city, since roads near the ghats get blocked.
Luxury and heritage
BrijRama Palace (Darbhanga Ghat): A restored palace right on the river. Excellent for ghat views.
Suryauday Haveli (Shivala Ghat): A heritage-style stay on the water.
Taj Ganges: A large, comfortable hotel in the Cantonment area. Good facilities, but it is farther from the ghats, so you need a car or e-rickshaw.
Mid-range
Look at hotels in the Godowlia, Dashashwamedh and Assi areas. Names that travellers often check include Hotel Ganges Grand and various riverside guesthouses, but always read recent reviews, as quality changes.
Ramada Plaza and Radisson-style business hotels are comfortable, but they are outside the ghat area.
Budget and backpacker
Hostels and guesthouses around Assi and Godowlia are easiest on the wallet and popular with solo travellers. Check the latest reviews for cleanliness and noise.
How to choose in simple steps
Pick a stay within a 10 to 15 minute walk of a ghat if you can.
Check the road access. Many ghat-side hotels need a short walk from the nearest car-friendly road.
Ask about luggage help and check-in time.
Read reviews from the last 2 to 3 months.
Ask the hotel for a free cancellation option.
How to save time and avoid rush in Varanasi
Dev Diwali crowds are huge, and this is where good planning helps most.
Leave your car outside the ghat area. Vehicles get stopped before the old city on festival evenings. Park at a designated place or ask your hotel where to leave the car, then walk or take an e-rickshaw.
Use the river as your road. A boat ride along the ghats is faster than driving through jammed lanes. Many people do Assi to Raj Ghat (or the reverse) by boat.
Reach the ghats before 3 PM. After 4 PM, entry points get very crowded, and moving around is slow.
Book your boat early. Fix the price and the timing in advance, and agree on the route and number of people.
Do temple visits in the morning. Kashi Vishwanath and other major temples are far less crowded early in the day. Check the temple’s official website for darshan booking options and the latest rules.
Keep the evening for lights only. Don’t try to fit in two or three activities after sunset.
Eat early. Restaurants fill quickly, so have a late lunch around 3 PM, then enjoy a light dinner after the lights.
Choose your exit plan. Decide in advance where you will meet your group and how you will get back. Phone networks can get slow in crowds.
Wear comfortable footwear and keep valuables close. Use a small cross-body bag.
Stay one night before and one night after. This stops you rushing in and out on festival day.
Varanasi is about 874 km from Delhi, so a Delhi to Varanasi tempo traveller saves your group from changing vehicles and carrying luggage through busy stations.
What to eat in Varanasi
Kachori-sabzi for breakfast
Banarasi chaat (tamatar chaat, tikki)
Malaiyo, a light, foamy winter sweet that you find in the morning in the old lanes
Lassi in clay cups
Banarasi paan after dinner
Part 2: Ayodhya
Ayodhya is about 200 km from Varanasi, a 4 to 5 hour road journey depending on traffic. Compared with Varanasi it feels slower and more devotional. Kartik Purnima is also a traditional bathing day, so the Saryu river area is busy with pilgrims.
What to see in Ayodhya
Ram Janmabhoomi Temple: The main attraction. Check the official trust website for darshan timings, aarti passes and entry rules before you go, since these change often.
Hanuman Garhi: A hilltop temple with a steep set of steps. Go early if you have elderly family members.
Kanak Bhawan: Known for its beautiful, ornate interior.
Ram Ki Paidi: The riverfront stretch of ghats where evening aarti and festivals are held.
Naya Ghat and Guptar Ghat: Quieter river areas, good for a calm walk.
Ram Path: The main new road corridor through the city.
About Deepotsav: Ayodhya’s big lamp-lighting event is usually held around Diwali, not Dev Diwali. If you want to see it, plan an early November trip instead, or visit Ayodhya first and Varanasi later.
Best hotels in Ayodhya
Ayodhya’s hotel scene has grown quickly since 2024. Quality varies a lot, so always check recent reviews. Options frequently mentioned by travellers include:
Premium and 4-star style stays: Sterling Rampath, Ira by Orchid, and Amritara Ramila Kutir are among the more commonly recommended modern hotels.
Unique stay: Praveg Tent City offers luxury-style tents and is popular with families.
Budget and mid-range: Many small hotels and guesthouses sit near the railway station and the temple area, such as Hotel Ayodhya Heritage and Hotel Raghunandan Inn. Prices and standards differ, so compare photos and reviews.
Dharamshalas and guesthouses: Cheap, simple and clean in many cases. A good choice for pilgrims who want basic stays near the temple.
How to pick a hotel in Ayodhya
Stay within 2 to 3 km of the Ram Mandir to reduce travel time.
Check how close it is to the nearest e-rickshaw stand, since cars can be restricted.
Ask whether breakfast and vegetarian food are included.
Book 1 to 2 months ahead for busy periods.
How to save time and avoid traffic in Ayodhya
Start early. Temple lines are shortest in the early morning.
Expect road restrictions near the temple. Private cars are often stopped at set points, and you may need to walk or use e-rickshaws or shuttles from parking areas.
Park once and walk. Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan and the Ram Mandir are close enough to each other to cover on foot and by short rickshaw hops.
Book darshan or aarti slots online where the system allows it.
Avoid weekends and big festival days if you can.
Carry less. Phones, bags and shoes may have to be left outside near the temple. Ask your hotel about lockers or safe storage.
Ayodhya is about 716 km from Delhi. A Delhi to Ayodhya tempo traveller can take your group to the nearest permitted point and wait while you finish darshan.
Part 3: Jaipur and Pushkar
Jaipur is a good addition if you want something lighter and more colourful after two very spiritual cities. In November, the weather is dry and comfortable.
What to see in Jaipur
Govind Dev Ji Temple (City Palace complex): A popular, devotional spot with evening aartis.
Galta Ji: An old temple complex in the hills, known for natural water tanks and a peaceful setting.
Amer Fort: Go first thing in the morning for fewer crowds and better light.
Hawa Mahal and City Palace: Best seen in the morning too.
Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar: Great for jewellery, fabrics and handicrafts. Visit on foot, because cars get stuck in the lanes.
Pushkar (about 145 km away): One of India’s most important holy lakes. Kartik Purnima is a major bathing day, and the town fills with pilgrims and visitors, so book early if you plan to stay overnight.
Best hotels in Jaipur
Luxury
Rambagh Palace (Taj): A former royal residence and one of Jaipur’s best-known luxury stays.
Jai Mahal Palace and Fairmont Jaipur: Strong choices for comfort and service.
Heritage
Samode Haveli, Alsisar Haveli and Narain Niwas Palace give you the old-Jaipur feel at a lower price than the top palaces.
Mid-range and budget
Hotels around MI Road, Bani Park and C-Scheme are central and well connected.
Hostels like Zostel Jaipur and Moustache are popular with younger travellers.
Tip: Prices change by season and festival, so always compare 2 to 3 booking sites with the hotel’s own site.
How to save time in Jaipur
Do forts in the morning, bazaars in the evening.
Don’t drive into the old city at peak hours. Park outside and walk.
Book a driver for the day instead of switching between taxis.
Leave for Pushkar early. Reaching before 9 AM beats the traffic, and you can return by evening.
Avoid weekend afternoons at Amer Fort.
For the Delhi to Jaipur leg, our Delhi to Jaipur tour package is a simple 2 night, 3 day option.
If you plan the Pushkar day trip, you can book a tempo traveller in Jaipur for local sightseeing so your group stays together.
Sample 9-day Dev Diwali itinerary
Day
Plan
1
Arrive in Jaipur. Evening at Govind Dev Ji and Johari Bazaar
2
Amer Fort in the morning, City Palace and Hawa Mahal later
Rest day, old lanes, Kashi Vishwanath area, Assi Ghat
8
Dawn river dip, afternoon Sarnath, Dev Diwali evening: boat ride and aarti
9
Morning leisure, departure
Important: Make sure Day 8 falls on 24 November 2026. Work backwards from that date when you book trains and flights.
Travel options between cities
Delhi to Jaipur is about 280 km (5 to 6 hours by road). It is easy and comfortable by car, tempo traveller or train.
Delhi to Ayodhya is about 716 km, and Delhi to Varanasi is about 874 km.
Varanasi to Ayodhya is about 200 km (4 to 5 hours by road).
Jaipur to Ayodhya or Varanasi is a very long road trip, so flying or taking an overnight train is usually better.
For groups of 8 or more, a tempo traveller on rent in Delhi is a comfortable way to cover the Delhi, Jaipur and Pushkar leg, as well as the Varanasi to Ayodhya stretch, with luggage space and a single driver who knows the route. Rates start at ₹23/km for a 9 seater and ₹24/km for a 12 seater, plus driver charges, and toll, parking and state tax are extra on outstation trips.
For smaller families, a car on rent from Delhi gives more flexibility. Always ask for a written quote showing tolls, parking, driver allowance and state taxes.
Packing and safety tips
Clothing: Light cotton clothes for the day and a shawl or jacket for evenings by the river.
Footwear: Slip-on shoes, since you remove them often at temples.
Dress code: Cover shoulders and knees at temples.
Money: Keep small notes for boats, flowers and street food.
Phone: Charge fully, and carry a power bank. Crowds drain batteries and slow networks.
Health: Drink bottled water, and eat freshly cooked food.
Photography: Ask before taking photos near temples and cremation ghats.
Valuables: Carry only what you need into crowds.
Children and elders: Pick calmer ghats like Namo Ghat, and avoid the busiest hour (6 to 8 PM at Dashashwamedh).
When is Dev Diwali in 2026? Tuesday, 24 November 2026. Verify the Purnima tithi time on Drik Panchang.
Which is the best ghat for Dev Diwali in Varanasi? Dashashwamedh for the main aarti, Assi for a lively but easier evening, Raj Ghat and Panchganga for lamps, and Namo Ghat for families.
How early should I book hotels in Varanasi? 4 to 6 weeks before, and sooner for ghat-side heritage stays.
Is a boat ride worth it on Dev Diwali? Yes. It is the best way to see the lights and avoids road traffic, but book early and agree on the price.
How do I avoid traffic in Varanasi? Park outside the old city, use boats or walk, reach ghats before 3 PM, and avoid driving at sunset.
How do I avoid crowds in Ayodhya? Visit early in the morning, avoid weekends, and use online slots for darshan where available.
Is Dev Diwali celebrated in Jaipur? Not like in Varanasi, but Kartik Purnima is observed at temples, and Pushkar has major bathing and fair traditions.
How many days do I need? 3 to 4 days for Varanasi and Ayodhya, and 8 to 9 days if you add Jaipur and Pushkar.
Is a tempo traveller good for this trip? For 8 or more people, yes. It keeps costs per person low and saves you from handling multiple taxis. The 12 seater tempo traveller is the most popular choice for family and friends groups.
Plan your Dev Diwali 2026 trip with us
Want a stress-free trip for your family, friends or office group? Delhi Tempo Travels has been providing tempo travellers and cars on rent from Delhi since 1999, with verified drivers and clear pricing for Jaipur, Pushkar, Ayodhya and Varanasi routes. Get a free quote and we will reply with a clear, written price.
Hi, I'm Ajay Sengar, a travel writer at Delhi Tempo Travels who believes every journey has a story worth sharing. I write practical guides on road trips from Delhi, pilgrimages and yatras, hill station getaways and group travel, with honest tips on routes, budgets, the best time to go and choosing the right tempo traveller, minibus or car for your group. Explore my latest guides below and plan your next trip with confidence.
