Ganga Mahotsava is a 5-day festive event held on the banks of Ganges in Varanasi on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik. Ganga Mahotsava tends to promote Varanasi and Ganga as the cultural capital and lifeline of India respectively.
The event gives stress on the promotion of the classical style of Indian music & dance. It provides opportunity to viewers, to witness performance of the great exponents of Indian classical dance and music. Some of these exponents of art reside in Uttar Pradesh itself.
In the past editions, laureates like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pundit Chhanulal Misra, Girija Devi, Bal Murli Krishnan, Bhimsen Joshi, Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Zila Khan, Sujat Khan and Zakir Hussein have given their enthralling performances in this festival. This festival is a must attend for every tourists the festival of lights at Varanasi.
It is believed, on the day of Dev Deepavali God descends from Heaven to take a holy bath in the Ganges. During the festival the banks of the river Ganga are lit with diyas or the earthen lamps and amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. The ghats of Ganga wear a majestic mystic look as thousands of pilgrim , tourists walk to take the holy dip in the wee hours of the holy day.
Men and women bathes in the river while chanting mantras and doing surya namaskar or worshiping and bowing to the Sun God.
Ganga Mahotsav Cultural Festival is held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh from 17 to 21 November 2010
Planning your Trip for Ganga Mahotsav, Our tip here would be…
Stay at Varanasi for 5 days : If you want a true taste of Varansai, you should consider staying in one of the many dharmshalas lining the ghats? For those who like their creature comforts, book a hotel well in advance to avoid last minute hassles.
My recommendation would be : Enjoy a boat ride down the mighty Ganga River, taste the famous puris and kachoris for breakfast and finish it off with a Banarasi paan (Beetle), shop around for the hallmark Banarasi Sarees (India famous dressing attire) and also visit the ancient temples dotting the oldest city in the world.
Toshali Travel and Tours offers budget festival holiday packages and arranges, to be at “Ganga Mahotsav”, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. And customized your accommodation on demand, book your package reservation at with Toshali Travel and Tours. Toshali is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India . Visit : www.toshalitravel.com
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