In bid to boost rural tourism, UP govt takes Dev Deepawali celebrations beyond Varanasi ghats

The main attractions on the occasion were the Ganga Arti in Varanasi, where the ritual was performed simultaneously at eight main ghats of the city — Namo Ghat, Gai Ghat, Panchganga Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sheetla Ghat, Dandkar Ghat, Tulsi Ghat and Assi Ghat — and ‘Kashi Katha 3D show’ and green fireworks display near the Ganga Dwar.

The celebrations were marked at the heritage villages of Madhopur and Chandravati in Varanasi district; Umrah and Rahati villages of Jaunpur; Chuitipara village of Ambedkarnagar, and in Ayodhya, with the help of local communities, self-help groups, potters, NGOs and homestay owners, officials said.

They were planning to expand the celebrations further in the coming years, the officials added.

At the Shool Tankeshwar Mahadev Temple in Madhopur, the department organised heritage storytelling sessions on mythology and traditions, and lit 1001 diyas to mark the occasion.

At the ancient Shravan Dham temple and ghats of Chuitipara in Ambedkarnagar district, 21,000 diyas were lit with the help of the local community who had decorated the place.

Also, bhajan sandhya, rangoli contests, folk performances and fireworks were held there.

While Chandravati village in Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of the eighth Jain Tirthankara Chandraprabhu, Kaithi village is known for Markandeya Mahadev Temple. Umrah and Rehthi villages are associated with the deity Trilochan Mahadev.

“Through this initiative under the Rural Tourism Scheme and UP Eco-Tourism Development Board, we are trying to create self-sustaining models that combine faith, livelihood, and pride in one frame,” said Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh.