Dev Diwali 6.0: Banaras Ghats Come Alive

The trip begins with an overnight 3AC train journey from New Delhi to Banaras. As the train moves through the night, the city noise fades into quiet anticipation, the first stirrings of a journey toward one of India's oldest, most sacred cities.

Check-in at the stay happens by 11 AM, followed by breakfast on the property. After freshening up, the group heads out on a 40-minute drive to Sarnath, taking in the quiet stillness of this sacred Buddhist site, followed by a pre-arranged lunch there. Back at the stay, there's time to rest before the evening's centerpiece, the Main Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat at 5:30 PM. From there, the group moves to Kashi Vishwanath Temple for darshan and the Shayan Aarti, wrapping up by 11:30 PM before heading back to the stay for dinner and rest.

Wake-up call is at 7 AM, with breakfast served at 9 AM. The morning takes the group to BHU to visit the Vishwanath Temple there, followed by Banaras's famous coffee and dosa, then the city's equally iconic lassi and kachori before heading to Sankat Mochan Temple for Hanuman Ji's blessings. After returning to the stay for dinner and some rest, the night isn't quite over, at 11:30 PM the group heads out once more to Kaal Bhairava Temple, the Kotwal of Kashi, for the midnight aarti at 12 AM, returning to the stay by 1:30 AM for a well-earned sleep before the most energetic day of the trip.

Wake-up is at 8 AM, with breakfast served by 10 AM. The rest of the morning is free time, for shopping, getting ready, and dressing in the finest ethnic wear for the big day, this applies to everyone, it's time to flex Indian beauty. By 3 PM, everyone should be ready, and the group heads toward the ghats by 3:30 PM. The evening begins with helping local families light diyas, before boarding a boat to sail past every ghat, each one glowing with lights and lamps for the occasion. From a special vantage point on the water, the group witnesses the laser show and the grand fireworks that mark Dev Diwali, with snacks served right on the boat. After deboarding, dinner is served at a separate location before heading back to the stay to rest.

An early wake-up at 3:30 AM leads to Assi Ghat by 4:30 AM for Subah-e-Banaras, the sunrise aarti, and a cup of chai by the river. Back at the stay, there's time to rest before checkout preparations begin, followed by one last breakfast together as a group. Check-out is set for 10:30 AM. 
Those with later trains or onward travel are welcome to store their bags safely, use the common area and washrooms, and spend their remaining time exploring Varanasi on their own. Those joining the Delhi to Delhi batch can share their preferred train timing after booking confirmation, with two options typically available, the 3 PM Vande Bharat, arriving in Delhi the same night, or an overnight train, subject to availability based on how early it's booked. The group heads to the station together for the journey home.

For those on the overnight train option, arrival at New Delhi is by 10 AM. The trip officially concludes here, six days of ghats, aartis, and a city that stays with you long after you've left.