Varanasi: As Dev Deepawali approaches, the ghats of Kashi are set to come alive with the sounds of music, rhythm of dance, and colors of tradition. Thanks to the Yogi Adityanath government’s initiative, the Kashi Ganga Mahotsav 2025 will transform the banks of the Ganga into a grand stage for India’s classical and folk heritage from November 1 to 4.
A Cultural Extravaganza Before Dev Deepawali
The Ganga Mahotsav, organized by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, will see renowned artists from across the country performing at Rajghat and Namo Ghat.
This year’s event will present a vibrant mix of classical, devotional, and folk performances, celebrating India’s diverse artistic traditions.
“This four-day festival will be a unique confluence of song, music, dance, and instrumental art forms. The Ganga Mahotsav stage will resonate with the spirit of Kashi’s living heritage,” said Dinesh Kumar, Joint Director, Tourism Department.
Star Performers to Enchant Devotees and Tourists
The festival lineup includes some of India’s most celebrated artists:
- Padma Shri Malini Awasthi, renowned for her soulful rendition of North Indian folk traditions, will perform on November 3.
- Padma Shri Geeta Chandran, the acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, will take the stage on November 2.
- Hansraj Raghuvanshi, the devotional music sensation, will conclude the event on November 4 with his bhajans.
Performances will begin each evening at 4 PM, offering audiences a captivating experience of music and dance against the spiritual backdrop of the Ganga.
Detailed Day-Wise Schedule of Performances
Day 1 – November 1
- Kavita Mohanty – Odissi Dance
- Vidushi Shweta Dubey – Vocal
- Vidushi Kamala Shankar – Slide Guitar
- Dr. Ripi Mishra – Classical Vocal
- Dr. Diwakar & Dr. Prabhakar Kashyap – Semi-Classical Vocal
- Ravi Sharma & Group – Braj Folk Dance and Music
- Pt. Naval Kishore Mallik – Classical Vocal
- Pt. Mata Prasad Mishra & Pt. Ravi Shankar Mishra – Kathak Duet
Day 2 – November 2
- Shivani Shukla – Vocal
- Praveen Udbhav – Taalyatra
- Rajkumar Tiwari (Rajan Tiwari) – Vocal
- Dr. Archana Aditya Mahaskar – Vocal
- Savir, Sakar Kalakriti – Traditional Folk Dance
- Vandana Mishra – Vocal
- Prof. Pt. Sahitya Nahar & Dr. Pt. Santosh Nahar – Sitar and Violin Jugalbandi
- Om Prakash – Bhajan Singing
- Padma Shri Geeta Chandran – Bharatanatyam
Day 3 – November 3
- Meena Mishra – Singing
- Vishal Krishna – Kathak Dance
- Divya Sharma – Hindustani Khayal Singing
- Rakesh Kumar – Tribal Folk Dance
- Indu Gupta – Folk Singing
- Chetan Joshi – Flute Performance
- Vidushi Kavita Dwivedi – Odissi Dance
- Padma Shri Malini Awasthi – Folk Singing
Day 4 – November 4
- Dr. Shubhankar Dey – Singing
- Dr. Prem Kishore Mishra & Group – Sitar-Sarod Jugalbandi & Singing
- Rahul Rohit Mishra – Classical Singing
- Rupan Sarkar Samanta – Classical Singing
- Vasumathi Badrinathan – Classical Singing
- Shivani Mishra – Kathak Group Dance
- Manasi Raghuvanshi – Singing
- Hansraj Raghuvanshi – Bhajan Singing (Grand Finale)
Kashi Ganga Mahotsav: Preserving Heritage, Promoting Tourism
The festival not only honors Kashi’s centuries-old artistic legacy but also serves as a platform to promote cultural tourism in Uttar Pradesh. With Dev Deepawali attracting lakhs of pilgrims and tourists every year, the Mahotsav aims to blend spirituality with India’s vibrant performing arts.
