Varanasi, 21 Oct (HS): The Uttar Pradesh government's

tourism department has prepared a special tour package for tourists who wish to

experience the divine aura of Dev Deepawali on the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi. To

provide an unforgettable experience of the spiritual aura of Kashi, the

lamp-decorated Ganga Ghats and the rich religious-cultural heritage on Dev

Deepawali, the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC) has

prepared a special four-day-three-night 'Dev Deepawali - Divine Kashi

Experience' tour package.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said that through

this unique initiative, tourists from across the country and the world will be

able to experience the ancient culture, spiritual tradition and grandeur of Dev

Deepawali of Kashi in a single trip.

He explained that the Festival of Lights held on

the ghats of Kashi during Dev Deepawali is a unique attraction. The glow of

countless lamps on the banks of the Ganges, the Ganga Aarti, the grand

decorations of temples, and cultural performances provide tourists with an

unforgettable experience. To bring this divine experience to tourists in the

form of a travel package, UPSTDC has developed special tour packages in three

categories: Budget, Deluxe, and Premium.

He said that under the package, tourists will have the

opportunity to experience Dev Deepawali Ganga Boat Ride, visit to Kashi

Vishwanath Temple, Ganga Aarti, Sarnath Tour, Heritage Walk, and cultural and

spiritual experiences. The first day of the tour will begin with welcoming

tourists at the airport or railway station upon their arrival in Varanasi.

Tourists will then experience Ganga Aarti along with hotel check-in and evening

darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Dham. On the second day of the tour, tourists will

be taken to the major religious sites of Kashi along with Ganga Boat Ride in

the morning. These include Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Vishalakshi Temple,

Annapurna Temple, Kaal Bhairav Temple, etc. This will be followed by a tour

of Sarnath and an experience of the spiritual aura of Kashi in the evening.

On the third day, the most special stop for tourists will be

the Dev Deepawali festival. Amidst the unique brilliance of lamps, grand

decorations, and cultural performances on the glittering ghats of Kashi,

tourists will have the opportunity to witness the divinity of Dev Deepawali.

During this time, the special Dev Deepawali Ganga Boat Experience

will make the experience even more memorable. Boating amidst the waves of the

Ganga, the breathtaking view of the ghats illuminated by the glow of lamps will

make the spirituality of Kashi unforgettable.

The Minister informed that keeping in mind the convenience

and budget of tourists, UPSTDC has categorized the packages into three

categories: Budget (standard hotels), Deluxe (3-star

hotels), and Premium (4/5-star hotels). The Budget package will

cost Rs. 15,999 per person, the Deluxe package will cost Rs. 21,999 per person,

and the Premium package will cost Rs. 31,999 per person. These rates are based

on twin sharing, and GST will be extra. The package includes three nights'

accommodation, daily breakfast, AC transportation, Dev Deepawali special boat

ride, morning Ganga boat ride, Ganga Aarti, temple darshan, Sarnath tour, and a

tour escort/representative.

This special UPSTDC package will allow tourists to

experience the spiritual energy of Dev Deepawali along with a visit to Kashi.

Interested tourists can book by visiting the UPSTDC website, upstdc.co.in, or

by calling 8303019844.

Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh stated that Dev Deepawali

is a divine celebration of Kashi's ancient traditions and cultural splendor.

Its global grandeur attracts people from all over the world. Our endeavor is to

ensure that tourists experience the spiritual essence of the divine festival,

along with the sight of Kashi's illuminated ghats. Special packages prepared by

UPSTDC for Dev Deepawali will provide visitors with a holistic experience. This

initiative will give Kashi's spiritual and cultural heritage a unique identity

on the global tourism map.

Amrit Abhijat, Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism,

Culture and Charitable Affairs Department, stated that the special tourism

package prepared for Dev Deepawali 2026 aims to provide excellent travel

facilities to visitors from India and abroad while connecting them with the

spiritual aura, cultural richness, and historical heritage of Kashi. This

initiative is an important step towards giving new impetus to religious

tourism, promoting economic activities and employment opportunities at the

local level, and giving the state's glorious heritage a unique identity on the

international stage.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi