Panchakosi Pilgrimage

(January- February): Thousands of devotees walk the 75.2 km route around Varanasi visiting 108 shrines along the way. The main shrines are Gyanvapi, Karmadeshwar, Bhimchandi, Rameshwar, Shivpur, Kapildhara and Manikarnika. This pilgrimage is said to be equivalent to circling the entire world. 

(May-June): A large fair is held at Sarnath to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. The relics of the Enlightened One are on view just for this day and are taken out in procession.

Shivratri (Feb-March): A day of great celebration in the city of Lord Shiva. Fairs spring up, people observe fasts and visit the temples.

The Rath Yatra (June-July): It is observed at the same time as the famous festival at the Jagannath Temple at Puri in Orissa.

Dussehra (Sep-Oct.): It is celebrated in royal style at the Ramnagar Fort for one month.

Bharat Milap (October): Celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya and the reunion with his brother Bharat. It is observed on the day after Dussehra at Nati Imli. The former Maharaja of Varanasi comes to the event riding on an elephant.

Chetganj Nakkataiya (Oct. - Nov.): Commemorates an event from the Ramayana when Lord Ram's brother Lakshman cut off the nose of the demoness Surpanakha.

Naganathaiya (November): The victory of Lord Krishna over the serpent king Kalia is celebrated at the Tulsi Ghat every year.

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