Organised by the Mahotsav Samithi of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, Ganga Mahotsav is an eminent Hindu festival that spans for 5 days on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The Significance of Ganga Mahotsav
The people of Varanasi believe that the holy river Ganges has nourished and provided water to the city of Varanasi from the very beginning, and this festival is a way of giving tribute and homage to this sacred river. Ganga is the most significant river of Varanasi, which has also derived its name from the two tributaries of the river Ganga-“Varuna’ and ‘Assi’ which flow through the 84 Ghats of Varanasi. This festival also uplifts the religious, cultural and traditional facets of Varanasi as millions of tourists from different parts of the world visit Varanasi during these 5 days to witness the musical and dance programmes and the presentations by great Indian musical maestros.
Where is the Ganga Mahotsav Celebrated?
Ganga Mahotsav is celebrated in the Sant Ravidas Ghat on the banks of the river Ganga in Varanasi, originally known as Kashi, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is the home to various other religious festivals in India, like Kumbh Mela, Dev Deepavali, etc., and is visited by people from not only India, but also from abroad to experience its religious festivals.
Rituals of Ganga Mahotsav
Ganga Mahotsav is a significant festival in Varanasi that takes place annually. Various cultural and religious events take place during the festival. Along with taking a holy dip on the river, offering flowers, prayers and lighted earthen lamps to the Ganges, chanting hymns, and so on, the festival is marked with the display of India’s best artwork, craftwork, cultural facts, and cuisines, which are witnessed by millions of spectators. Another important attraction of the festival is the music and dance programmes by the trained people of Varanasi as well as from other cities of India. These events have also witnessed the presence of big musical maestros like Girija Devi, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Chhanulal Misra, Ustad Bala Murli Krishnan, Bhimsen Joshi, Birju Maharaj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Zila Khan, Sujat Khan, Zakir Hussain etc have all visited Varanasi during the Ganga Mahotsav to brace the occasion and have also performed here. Along with Ganga Mahotsav, the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar occasion also takes place during this time, which is a 10-day-long festival in which a National Crafts Fair is organised, in which craftsmen from different states of India participate to display their wonderful talent.
When does Ganga Mahotsav take place?
The festival of Ganga Mahotsav starts on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi and ends on the auspicious day of Kartik Poornima. The ending day of Ganga Mahotsav is celebrated as Dev Deepavali with a lot of pomp and grandeur when the Ghats of Varanasi and the banks of the Ganges are illuminated with millions of earthen lamps.
Dates of Ganga Mahotsav in 2026
Ganga Mahotsav is an annual event, and in 2026, the festival will commence on the 20th of November on Prabodhini Ekadashi and will end on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, on the day of Kartik Poornima.
Thus, every Indian citizen should try to visit the holy city of Varanasi on these auspicious dates and take part in the mass celebration, which enriches the cultural heritage of India. Offering prayers to the sacred Ganges during these dates is believed to fulfil all our hopes and wishes and protect us from the evil eye. The blessings of the river Ganga are believed to cure all ailments and protect us from all kinds of pain and suffering. All these beliefs attract millions of spectators from all over the globe.