Devotees took a holy dip in River Ganga in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Kartik Purnima on Monday 27 November.

Such bathing is considered particularly sacred in the month of Kartik. It is even more important on the day of Kartik Purnima.

The festival draws visitors from around India and abroad.

As well as prayer and bathing in the river, lamps were lit on its shores and in all major temples, ponds and lakes in Varanasi.

After worshipping the Gods and Goddesses and bathing in the river, the faithful float a lamp in the Ganges river. It is believed that by doing so, one gets the blessings of all the gods.

Deepawali, also called Diwali, has some of the biggest Hindu religious festivals, celebrated around the world with oil lamps, religious mosaics, flower petals, fireworks and lights.

Devotees took a holy dip in River Ganga in Varanasi ( Uttarpradesh) on the occasion of Kartik Purnima on November 08 ( Monday). The holy dip in rivers is considered sacred in the month of Kartik. It is even more important on the day of Kartik Purnima.

The festival is celebrated in Kartik Purnima, Uttar Pradesh, every year and is attended by visitors from different parts of the country and abroad. On this occasion, thousands of believers come to Varanasi to pray and swim in the Ganges. Lights are lit in all major temples, ponds and lakes in Varanasi. 

After worshipping the Gods and Goddesses on this day, bathing in the river, a lamp is floated in the Ganges river. It is believed that by doing so, one gets the blessings of all the gods. Dewali and Deepawali are some of the biggest Hindu religious festivals and are celebrated all around the world with oil lamps, religious mosaics, flower petals, fireworks and lights.