Dev Diwali in Varanasi

JanineG · Jun 4th, 2009, 04:02

We are flying into Delhi late night 10/31. I just started hearing about Dev Diwali. We were originally planning on going to Varanasi towards the end of our trip, but now I'm thinking maybe we should take an overnight train on 11/1 and arrive in Varanasi morning of 11/2. I believe Dev Diwali is at night on 11/2? Another option is for us to head up to Hardiwar/Rishikesh and be in Hardiwar for Dev Diwali. Anyone know what it's like in Hardiwar on this evening? So, where should we go for 11/2-VAransi or Hardiwar? We'll definitely be going to Varanasi at some point on our trip regardless.

Darmabum · Jun 4th, 2009, 17:35

Never been in Rishikesh/Hardiwar for Diwali, but have been to Varanasi for it numerous times. If Varanasi is a stop of yours at some point on your trip, I'd opt for Diwali there; I remember a km-long string of floating prayer candles on the Ganges the night of Diwali.

JanineG · Jun 4th, 2009, 23:33

Yeah, Varanasi looks amazing and I saw some pics during Dev Diwali there and it looks like something not to be missed. Having said that, though I have done a lot of travel in my life, I've never been to India and I've seen on some other threads here people suggesting that Varanasi be saved for the end of trip b/c it can be more overwhelming than some other places. My husband and I can handle quite a bit, but I have some questions about Dev Diwali in Varansi: are the crowds way more than usual-do people come from all over? Will we be able to get transport to Varansi on an overnight train from Delhi on 11/1, arriving on 11/2 (Dev Diwali will be that evening)? Should be book far in advance if a lot of people flock there for this festival? Thanks for any replies.

Darmabum · Jun 5th, 2009, 01:12

Janine, during festival times I'd suggest booking ahead; travel anywhere near times of big events can be challenging. You may be able to walk-in and get a ticket (though my intuition tells me otherwise), but why risk it? As for saving Varanasi til the end . . . if you've traveled, and if your husband can "handle quite a bit" I think I'd go for Divali. I don't know if it's that there are more people in Varanasi, necessarily, as maybe those that do live there are more apparent. What overwhelms me in Varanasi is simply the sensual stimulation of the place - all the senses working overtime, red-lined. That's easily remedied by knowing/or/finding your own personal tolerance, and go back to the safe house for a while before you cross the red-line.

labrol · Jun 5th, 2009, 02:04

You have enough leverage to book a couple of months in advance www.irctc.co.in. Just in case you need last minute bookings, go to the International tourist office on first floor of the main building of New Delhi Railway station with your passport and tourist visa. Do not listen to the agents who tell you that such an office is outside the main building.
You will be overwhelmed enough anywhere you go, whether Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh. Even the New Delhi Railway station or the Gurudwara Bangla sahib in Delhi can leave you gasping for breath or asking for more. Just depends on how you take it. Most people get a shock on the first day. By the end of the first week you find yourselves seeking more. When the time comes to return home, you are already planning your next trip back. So it doesen't matter. Be there for the Dev Diwali.
And by the way, thanks to you, I didn't know of this festival two weeks after Diwali. I searched the net after reading your mail. I will be there for sure this year.

JanineG · Jun 5th, 2009, 03:34

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I'm so excited! Dev Diwali in Varanasi it is.

Jun 4th, 2009, 04:02	#1
JanineG Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 53	Dev Diwali in Varanasi We are flying into Delhi late night 10/31. I just started hearing about Dev Diwali. We were originally planning on going to Varanasi towards the end of our trip, but now I'm thinking maybe we should take an overnight train on 11/1 and arrive in Varanasi morning of 11/2. I believe Dev Diwali is at night on 11/2? Another option is for us to head up to Hardiwar/Rishikesh and be in Hardiwar for Dev Diwali. Anyone know what it's like in Hardiwar on this evening? So, where should we go for 11/2-VAransi or Hardiwar? We'll definitely be going to Varanasi at some point on our trip regardless.

Jun 4th, 2009, 17:35	#2
Darmabum On the Road, wherever I am Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: in the mountains of Idaho . . . now the red-rock plateau of southern Utah Posts: 1,110	Never been in Rishikesh/Hardiwar for Diwali, but have been to Varanasi for it numerous times. If Varanasi is a stop of yours at some point on your trip, I'd opt for Diwali there; I remember a km-long string of floating prayer candles on the Ganges the night of Diwali. __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

Jun 5th, 2009, 02:04	#5
labrol Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gurgaon, India Posts: 305	You have enough leverage to book a couple of months in advance www.irctc.co.in. Just in case you need last minute bookings, go to the International tourist office on first floor of the main building of New Delhi Railway station with your passport and tourist visa. Do not listen to the agents who tell you that such an office is outside the main building. You will be overwhelmed enough anywhere you go, whether Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh. Even the New Delhi Railway station or the Gurudwara Bangla sahib in Delhi can leave you gasping for breath or asking for more. Just depends on how you take it. Most people get a shock on the first day. By the end of the first week you find yourselves seeking more. When the time comes to return home, you are already planning your next trip back. So it doesen't matter. Be there for the Dev Diwali. And by the way, thanks to you, I didn't know of this festival two weeks after Diwali. I searched the net after reading your mail. I will be there for sure this year. __________________ Alone I walked. Strangers joined in. We became a caravan.

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Jun 4th, 2009, 23:33	#3
JanineG Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 53	Yeah, Varanasi looks amazing and I saw some pics during Dev Diwali there and it looks like something not to be missed. Having said that, though I have done a lot of travel in my life, I've never been to India and I've seen on some other threads here people suggesting that Varanasi be saved for the end of trip b/c it can be more overwhelming than some other places. My husband and I can handle quite a bit, but I have some questions about Dev Diwali in Varansi: are the crowds way more than usual-do people come from all over? Will we be able to get transport to Varansi on an overnight train from Delhi on 11/1, arriving on 11/2 (Dev Diwali will be that evening)? Should be book far in advance if a lot of people flock there for this festival? Thanks for any replies.

Jun 5th, 2009, 01:12	#4
Darmabum On the Road, wherever I am Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: in the mountains of Idaho . . . now the red-rock plateau of southern Utah Posts: 1,110	Janine, during festival times I'd suggest booking ahead; travel anywhere near times of big events can be challenging. You may be able to walk-in and get a ticket (though my intuition tells me otherwise), but why risk it? As for saving Varanasi til the end . . . if you've traveled, and if your husband can "handle quite a bit" I think I'd go for Divali. I don't know if it's that there are more people in Varanasi, necessarily, as maybe those that do live there are more apparent. What overwhelms me in Varanasi is simply the sensual stimulation of the place - all the senses working overtime, red-lined. That's easily remedied by knowing/or/finding your own personal tolerance, and go back to the safe house for a while before you cross the red-line.

Jun 5th, 2009, 03:34	#6
JanineG Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 53	Thanks to both of you for your replies. I'm so excited! Dev Diwali in Varanasi it is.