Nag Nathaiya is one of the most visually stunning and spiritually rich festivals celebrated on the ghats of Varanasi.
Held every year during the Kartik month (October–November), Nag Nathaiya commemorates the divine episode from the life of Lord Krishna, where he subdues the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River.
The highlight of the festival unfolds at Tulsi Ghat, where a dramatic enactment of this ancient legend takes place:
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A young boy, dressed as Krishna, leaps into the Ganga River.
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He stands atop an artificial Kaliya serpent (crafted from wood or inflatable materials) placed in the river.
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Symbolically defeating the serpent, Krishna’s act is witnessed by thousands of devotees gathered along the ghats, boats, and rooftops.
The festival is organized with much devotion by the Tulsi Ghat Trust, and attended by saints, scholars, locals, and visitors alike.
Nag Nathaiya is not just a performance — it is a living tradition that connects Banaras’s people to their spiritual roots through devotion, spectacle, and storytelling.