One of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India, Varanasi celebrates Diwali on a truly grand scale. Loud and vibrant firecrackers are set off in every street all night long, and you can get an excellent view of these from the banks of the Ganges. There is also a special “Ganga Aarti,” where the ghats are illuminated, and diyas are floated down the river. Two weeks later, on a full moon night, Dev Deepavali is celebrated, along with the Ganga Mahotsav cultural festival.
349
