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

15 lakh diyas lit at 88 ghats of Varanasi, celebrations also marked at heritage villages of Ayodhya, Jaunpur and Ambedkarnagar

2 min readLucknowNov 6, 2025 07:00 AM IST

boost rural tourism, UP govt, Dev Deepawali, Dev Deepawali celebrations, Varanasi ghats, Indian express news, current affairs

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.

Using the occasion to boost rural tourism in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday took the Dev Deepawali (festival of lights of gods) celebrations beyond the ghats of Varanasi to the heritage villages of the district and those of Ayodhya, Jaunpur and Ambedkarnagar.

Over 15 lakh diyas were lit across 88 ghats of Varanasi as part of the event which was kicked off by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, state Tourism Department officials said.

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.

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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.

Maulshree Seth

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More

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