Varanasi | The spiritual heart of India, Kashi, is set to come alive with divine melodies and vibrant cultural expressions as the Ganga Mahotsav unfolds from November 1 to 4 at Rajghat and Namo Ghat. Held annually ahead of Dev Deepawali, the festival will celebrate the confluence of faith, art, and heritage, showcasing India’s classical, devotional, and folk traditions in all their grandeur.
According to the Tourism Department, this year’s event will feature some of the nation’s most celebrated artists, including Hansraj Raghuwanshi, Padma Shri Malini Awasthi, and Padma Shri Geeta Chandran, who will mesmerize audiences with their soulful performances. From Kathak and Odissi to bhajans and regional folk tunes, each evening from 4 PM onwards will offer a captivating glimpse of India’s living traditions.
A Celebration of Heritage and Harmony
Tourism Joint Director Dinesh Kumar shared that the four-day celebration will be a “flowing river of music, dance, and devotion.” The festival aims to highlight Kashi’s deep-rooted cultural identity while placing it prominently on the global cultural map.
On November 1, the festival will open with an array of classical performances, including a Kathak duet by Pt. Mata Prasad Mishra and Pt. Ravishankar Mishra, Odissi by Kavita Mohanty, and slide guitar by Kamala Shankar. The day will also feature Dr. Ripi Mishra’s classical vocals, Dr. Diwakar and Dr. Prabhakar Kashyap’s semi-classical singing, and folk renditions by Ravi Sharma and group.
The second day (November 2) will showcase Padma Shri Geeta Chandran’s Bharatanatyam, a Sitar and Violin jugalbandi by Pt. Sahitya Nahar and Dr. Santosh Nahar, and folk and devotional music by artists including Vandana Mishra, Om Prakash, and Rajkumar Tiwari.
On November 3, audiences will be treated to Kathak by Vishal Krishna, flute by Chetan Joshi, Odissi by Kavita Dwivedi, and folk songs by Padma Shri Malini Awasthi, who will bring alive the folk traditions of northern India with her powerful voice.
The final day (November 4) will witness bhajans by Hansraj Raghuwanshi, whose soulful devotional singing has gained nationwide acclaim. Other highlights include Dr. Shubhankar Dey’s classical recital, a Sitar-Sarod jugalbandi by Dr. Prem Kishore Mishra and group, and Kathak performances by Shivani Mishra’s troupe.
Reviving Kashi’s Timeless Cultural Spirit
The Ganga Mahotsav is not just a festival—it is a reaffirmation of Kashi’s eternal identity as the seat of art, faith, and knowledge. As lamps will soon illuminate the ghats during Dev Deepawali, the Mahotsav serves as a prelude to that celestial spectacle, echoing the city’s soul through rhythm, movement, and melody.
With its majestic backdrop of the Ganga and participation from leading classical and folk artists, Ganga Mahotsav promises to be a dazzling confluence of spirituality and art — a festival where the divine and the cultural blend seamlessly under Kashi’s sacred sky.
