In Varanasi, Dev Diwali, also known as Diwali of the Gods, is a celebration of great spiritual significance. This Hindu festival celebrates Lord Shiva's victory over the evil Tripurasura, which is why it is also known as Tripura Utsav.
The Dev Deepawali festival is observed in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik, 15 days after Diwali. Hindu legend claims that on this day, the deity Shiva slew the demon Tripurasur. Dev Deepawali is therefore celebrated to commemorate Lord Shiva's victory over the demon. In addition to this, the festival commemorates Lord Kartik's birth anniversary. He is Shiva's son.
On this day, Hindu gods are said to come down from heaven to celebrate victory. To greet the gods, Varanasi Ghats are lit with millions of earthen diyas on Dev Diwali. At the Panchganga Ghat, Dev Diwali diya lighting first started in 1985. On the ghats along the Ganga, from Raj Ghat to the southernmost Ravidas Ghat, worshippers burn millions of earthen lamps. They also congregate to take a bath in the holy Ganges, known as the "Kartik Snan" there, as it is widely believed that doing so cleanses sin and provides prosperity. Varanasi is thought to transform into a gods' heavenly dwelling on Dev Diwali, the last day of Ganga Mahotsav.
What is the purpose of Dev Diwali?
On the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, Dev Diwali is observed. Both the Tulsi Vivah ritual and the Diwali celebrations come to a conclusion with this. Dev Deepawali has religious importance since it is thought that on this day, Gods and Goddesses descend to take a holy bath in the Ganges. For the sake of the Gods and Goddesses as well as the River Ganges, the entire ghat of the sacred river is decorated with millions of tiny earthen lamps (diyas). The Panchganga Ghat started this tradition of lighting clay lights in the year 1985.
This event is also known as Tripura Utsav since it is thought that Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasur on this particular day. Guru Nanak Jayanti and the Jain light festival are two additional holidays that coincide with Dev Diwali. This day has a patriotic significance in addition to its religious meaning. All of the courageous soldiers who gave their lives while defending India are honoured and honoured on this day. In Varanasi, wreaths are presented as a tribute to the martyrs. Ganga Seva Nidhi has planned this event on a large scale. The celebration is concluded with the last post by three Indian Armed Forces after patriotic songs are sung.
Exactly how is Dev Diwali observed?
In Banaras or Varanasi, Dev Diwali is a festival renowned for its splendour and grandeur. Numerous thousands of followers come to the holy city to participate in this religious ceremony. In Varanasi and several areas of Gujarat, this event is joyfully observed. On this day, rangoli is used to decorate homes, and oil lamps are lit in each room. Some houses also do the Akhand Ramayana recital, which is followed by the distribution of bhog.
The Dev Deepawali Festival's central custom is observed when the moon is visible. To honour the Ganga river and the Gods and Goddesses who have descended, the steps of the entire Ganges ghat, which stretches from its southernmost bank, known as Ravi Ghat, to Raj Ghat, are exquisitely lighted with small diyas (earthen lamps).
