As the cold air of November settles over Varanasi, this beautiful city prepares to celebrate the biggest festival of light, Dev Deepawali. Translated as ‘the Diwali of Gods’, this festival turns Varanasi into a breathtaking canvas of light and devotion. Millions of diyas (earthen lamps) flicker on the holy river of Ganges as devotees believe that Gods have descended to celebrate their triumph over Tripurasura, a demon. Dev Deepawali takes place on the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik, mostly 15 days after Diwali. As we dive deep to explore the splendour of Dev Deepawali, prepare yourself to indulge in one of India’s most significant holy and traditional events!
Celestial Sparks: Inception Of Dev Deepawali
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Let’s eradicate the confusion that might be occurring in the readers’ minds about whether Diwali and Dev Deepawali are the same. Well, no, it’s not. After all, it’s the festival of light of the Gods. People of Varanasi celebrate Lord Shiva’s triumph over Tripurasur. The demon Tarakasur had three sons – Tarakasksha, Kamlashksha, and Vidyunmail, who were called Tripurasur conjointly. They were great devotees of Lord Brahma and received the boon of immortality by deceiving him.
However, as they wreak havoc on earth and heaven, other Gods seek help from Lord Shiva. The only way to kill these three asur was to put a single arrow through them. And Lord Shiva, being the destroyer of malevolence, kills the demons and brings back righteousness. This monumental victory is celebrated in both heaven and earth by lighting up thousands of diyas as the Gods come down on earth to take a bath in the holy river of Ganga. This auspicious festival also celebrates the birth of Kartikeya, Maa Durga, and Lord Shiva’s only biological child. This is why Dev Deepawali is celebrated. It is one of India’s must-see festivals!
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The Ceremony Of Dev Deepawali
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Visiting Varanasi in November is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. During the festival of Dev Deepawali, one can feel the divinity in the air. This auspicious has two main rituals – ‘Kartik Snan’ and ‘Deep Daan’. As the dawn breaks, thousands of pilgrims gather at the ghats of the sacred Ganga river and take bathe. Kartik Snan is believed to wash away all your sins and bring happiness and prosperity.
In the evening, the holy city of Varanasi dazzled in the light of divinity. Millions of diyas lit up the river Ganga. From Assi Ghat to Rajghat, every alley lit up with earthen lamps and rangolis. As the sun sets, the Ganga Aarti is performed, while pilgrims offer diyas to honour Maa Ganga, called ‘Deep Daan’. If you are a visitor seeking spiritual enlightenment while travelling, Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is one of the ultimate festivals in which one should participate. With the melodies and hymns and sound of drums, experience the spiritual bliss of Varanasi. Whether you are backpacking or travelling with your family, spending one or two days in Varanasi during Dev Deepawali will enhance your itinerary to a great extent.
Dev Deepawali For The Martyrs
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Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is a festival of gratitude and a time to pay homage to the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for their country. Visitors gather at Dashashwamedh Ghat to pay their respects to the martyrs at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, which is decorated with flowers, wreaths, and diyas.
The events at Rajghat are maintained by the armed forces and social organisations working together. Patriotic songs fill the air as the Bhagirath Shourya Samman Awards are presented during the ceremony. The customary final post is played as the celebration ends, and members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force stand to pay their respects—a magnificent display of sky lamps illuminating the sky with their radiant glow concludes the ritual. As patriotism and spirituality radiate across the region, Varanasi becomes a divine place for visitors.
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Dev Deepawali Timing 2024
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The Dev Deepawali date falls 15 days or a fortnight later than Diwali. This year, in 2024, it will be celebrated on November 15th. This year, the Purnima tithi will start at 6:16 AM on November 15th and last until 2:58 AM on November 16th.
This spiritual festival caters to everyone’s interests and passions. For those tourists who are spiritually oriented, Dev Deepavali is a revered event that honours the Ganga and honours Hindu mythological gods and goddesses. While patriots can enjoy the air of patriotic fervour, cultural fans will be delighted by the festival’s colourful music, dance, and art acts. Dev Deepavali offers a meditation space for self-discovery and personal development, whether by meeting with like-minded people or discovering inner peace through meditation.
Ganga Mahotsav
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In Hindu mythology, the sacred river of Ganga is seen as the ultimate source of salvation and repentance. Every year, a magnificent five-day festival called the Ganga Mohotsav is held to honour the eternal significance of the goddess Ganga in our lives.
Starting from the auspicious day of Prabodhani Ekadashi, which falls on the eleventh day of Kartik, the celebration of the lights of Dev Diwali concludes the festival.
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The Dev Diwali Puja Vidhi
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The Puja Vidhi of Dev Deepawali is simple but must be fulfilled with great devotion and faith. Let’s learn about some of the puja rituals:
Purify and prepare the puja materials:
The step of the puja vidhi is to take a bath and cleanse. One should wake up before sunrise, bathe, and wear clean clothes. Then, one should gather the puja materials, such as flowers, fruits, milk, sweets, ghee, and idols of the Gods and Goddesses.
Light up the lamps and worship:
Light an earthen lamp and incense sticks, worship the idols of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Mata Parvati, and Ganesha, and chant the mantras to invoke divine power.
Offer naivedya and perform aarti:
Offer fruits and sweets as naivedya for the gods. Perform aarti to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Mata Parvati and Ganpati Bappa. Once done, offer your prayers and seek blessings from them.
Deepdaan:
On Dev Diwali, Deepdaan holds particular significance. You can light lamps in temples, on the banks of rivers, and all around your home. This is a very soul-filling experience that exudes spirituality.
Dev Deepawali Celebration In Varanasi
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Varanasi, one of the most revered places in the nation, has kept much of its historic charm. This place is intriguing for not only devotees but also travellers across the world. Here, spirituality combines with history and culture. Hindu mythology states that people who pass away in Varanasi are saved and set free from the cycles of life and death.
In Varanasi, Dev Diwali is celebrated with great grandeur. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists worldwide visit Varanasi at this time of year. People of Varanasi decorate their homes with diyas and rangolis as if the whole city is welcoming the Gods and Goddesses. Pilgrims gather at the ghat to show their respect to Ganga Mata. The spiritual bliss that you feel in the atmosphere is second to none.
A group of youthful enthusiasts initiated the custom of lighting the river with earthen lamps in the 1980s on Panchganga Ghat, one of the most sacred spots in Varanasi. Millions of devotees from all over the country participate in Dev Deepawali annually to honour the Holy Ganges. In recent years, tourists from foreign countries have also attended this festival.
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How To Reach Varanasi For Dev Deepawali
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Varanasi is well-connected across the country. Here are some ways to reach Varanasi:
By Train:
Varanasi has two of the most convenient railway stations connecting the city. Varanasi Junction and the Mughal Sarai Junction are two railway stations that could be used to reach Varanasi.
By Flight:
You can also reach Varanasi through Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. Travelling by flight is very convenient and less time-consuming.
By Road:
Tourists travelling from Allahabad, Kanpur and Gorakhpur can travel by road. A long drive can be comfortable and scenic.
Tips For Travellers
Here are some of the tips for the travellers visiting Varanasi for Dev Deepawali:
- Book your tickets earlier, as booking on time could be costly and result in a poor deal.
- Book your hotel before you reach Varanasi for a comfortable journey.
- While visiting, make sure you show respect to the rituals.
- The ghats could be very crowded during the festival. Always take care of your belongings and your loved ones.
- Keep water bottles and snacks with you at all times.
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Want to witness a city draped in millions of earthen lamps? Explore the divine city of Varanasi, which exudes spirituality with the sacred Ganges that offer salvation. This year, Varanasi welcomes you to witness the most spellbinding festival in India, Dev Deepawali. Experience Varanasi’s vibrant and dazzled-up ghats and the supremacy of the holy Ganges while seeking prosperity from the Almighty. Book your trip to Varanasi now to enjoy a journey that takes you on the path of wonder and discovery!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dev Deepawali
Why is Dev Deepawali celebrated?
Dev Deepawali commemorates Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasur and the birthday of Shiva's son, Lord Kartik. On this day, Hindu gods are said to descend from heaven to celebrate winning.
When and Where does the Dev Deepawali take place?
Dev Deepawali occurs on Kartik Purnima (the full moon night of the Hindu month Kartik). ‘God’s Diwali’ is predominantly celebrated in Varanasi but nowadays is celebrated all over the country.
On which date is Dev Diwali this year?
This year, Dev Deepawali will be celebrated on November 15th. It takes place a fortnight after Diwali.
What is the difference between Dev Diwali and Diwali?
While Diwali is the ‘festival of light’, Dev Diwali, as translated, is the ‘Diwali of Gods’. Dev Deepawali concludes the celebration of Diwali and the Tulsi Vivah ritual.
What are Dev Deepawali's puja rituals?
Dev Deepawali mainly follows two rituals: Kartik Snan and Deepdaan. While Kartik Snan defines the bathing ritual in the Ganges before sunrise, Deepdaan is honouring Mata Ganga with earthen lamps.
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As a Travel Content Writer, I live to conquer the world of globetrotting with words. With my unquenchable thirst for storytelling, I believe that my words will inspire you to travel around the world’s breathtaking landscapes. As for me, I am an unapologetic selenophile, who loves to wander around in a starry night!
