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Varanasi’s ghats are famous for their spirituality and festivals especially during Dev Deepawali which is also known as the “Diwali of the Gods.” It is celebrated fifteen days after Diwali on the day of Kartik Purnima (full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik). Every year, thousands gather along the Ganga to witness the city light up with diyas and rituals. But this year, the celebrations took an unexpected turn at Namo Ghat as few people were seen relieving themselves in public. The video of it soon made its way online where it sparked debates around hygiene and civic sense. Peeing in Plain Sight At Namo Ghat A user recorded three men peeing openly at the ghat. The camera also shows their urine flowing towards the holy Ganga. Shockingly, just a few meters away, a panipuri vendor continued selling snacks while people were eating. The caption accompanying the video reads: “People peeing on the Namo Ghat on Dev Deepwali. One vendor is selling something edible next to them. Others are just walking by. Welcome to Indian civic sense.” Watch The Clip Here People peeing on the Namo-ghat on Dev-Deepwali. One Vendor is selling something edible next to them. Others are just walking by. Welcome to Indian Civic sense. pic.twitter.com/ozSXl7aOig — Tarun Gautam (@TARUNspeakss) November 8, 2025 ‘It’s Civic Failure’: Internet Reacts Since the video was shared online, it has accumulated more than one lakh views. Many expressed shock and anger as they who couldn’t believe the lack of hygiene at a sacred site during a major festival. One user commented, ““Incredible India,” where devotion ends at the temple gate and hygiene takes a leak right outside it. Disgusting beyond words.” Another said, “Classic Indian civic sense: some pee, some sell, some stroll… and we all just call it Dev-Deepwali!” “Appalled by the visuals from Namo Ghat. Defiling a holy river, during a festival, shows a deep disregard for both sanctity and public health. This isn’t a minor lapse, it’s a civic failure. Strict enforcement and citizen responsibility are non-negotiable for a clean, respectful India,” someone else wrote. “Dev Deepawali celebrates purity and divinity, yet we can’t even respect our own sacred spaces. That’s the tragedy,” a person remarked. A viewer questioned, “Why are men like that? Why can’t they wait till they find a public toilet? Women hardly do this kind of clownery, even when it’s an emergency.” “5,000 years of civilisation, still struggling with finding a toilet,” read another remark. Many users also criticised authorities for the lack of public toilets near the ghats, suggesting that better facilities could prevent such incidents.
