Dev Deepawali देव दीपावली
Dedicated to Shiva / Vishnu
About Dev Deepawali
Dev Deepawali, literally 'Diwali of the Gods,' falls on Kartik Purnima — fifteen days after Diwali. According to tradition, the gods descend to Varanasi (Kashi) on this night to celebrate their own festival of lights on the ghats of the Ganges. The celebration is most spectacular in Varanasi, where millions of earthen lamps (diyas) are lit along the 84 ghats, creating a breathtaking river of light reflected in the sacred Ganga. It also commemorates Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura, making it a night of cosmic triumph. The festival coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanti and marks the culmination of the month-long Kartik celebrations. Devotees take holy dips, light lamps, and witness a grand Ganga Aarti that transforms the ancient city into a celestial spectacle.
देव दीपावली, शाब्दिक रूप से 'देवताओं की दीवाली,' कार्तिक पूर्णिमा को पड़ती है — दीवाली के पंद्रह दिन बाद। परंपरा के अनुसार, इस रात देवता वाराणसी (काशी) में गंगा के घाटों पर अपना स्वयं का दीपोत्सव मनाने उतरते हैं। वाराणसी में यह उत्सव सबसे भव्य होता है, जहाँ 84 घाटों पर लाखों मिट्टी के दीये जलाए जाते हैं, जो पवित्र गंगा में प्रतिबिंबित होकर प्रकाश की मनोरम नदी बनाते हैं। यह भगवान शिव द्वारा त्रिपुरासुर पर विजय की स्मृति भी है। यह कार्तिक माह के दीर्घ उत्सवों का समापन चिह्नित करता है। भक्त पवित्र स्नान करते हैं, दीप जलाते हैं, और भव्य गंगा आरती देखते हैं।
Spiritual Significance
Dev Deepawali represents the belief that when humans celebrate light over darkness (Diwali), the gods themselves descend to earth to celebrate with them. It marks Lord Shiva's victory over Tripurasura and the culmination of the sacred month of Kartik.
देव दीपावली इस विश्वास को दर्शाती है कि जब मनुष्य अंधकार पर प्रकाश का उत्सव (दीवाली) मनाते हैं, तो स्वयं देवता उनके साथ मनाने पृथ्वी पर उतरते हैं। यह शिव की त्रिपुरासुर पर विजय और पवित्र कार्तिक माह के समापन का प्रतीक है।
Key Rituals & Practices
- Light earthen lamps (diyas) on the banks of rivers, especially the Ganges
- Take a holy dip (snan) in the river during Kartik Purnima
- Witness the grand Ganga Aarti at the ghats of Varanasi
- Float illuminated diyas and flower offerings on the river
- Perform Satyanarayan Puja or Vishnu worship at home
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dev Deepawali celebrated mainly in Varanasi?
Varanasi (Kashi) holds a unique position in Hindu cosmology as the city of Lord Shiva and the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. According to tradition, Kashi is the place where gods descend on Kartik Purnima to bathe in the Ganges and celebrate. The 84 ghats of Varanasi provide a natural amphitheater for the spectacular display of millions of lamps. While Dev Deepawali is observed throughout India, the scale and spiritual intensity of the Varanasi celebration — with its Ganga Aarti, boat processions, and illuminated ghats — remain unmatched.
What is the connection between Dev Deepawali and Guru Nanak Jayanti?
Both festivals fall on Kartik Purnima, creating a beautiful confluence of Hindu and Sikh celebrations. While Dev Deepawali commemorates the descent of gods and Shiva's victory, Guru Nanak Jayanti marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. In cities like Varanasi, both communities celebrate together, with Sikh devotees visiting gurdwaras for prayers and processions while the ghats glow with Hindu celebrations. This shared date reflects India's tradition of cultural harmony.
How many lamps are traditionally lit during Dev Deepawali in Varanasi?
During the grand Dev Deepawali celebration in Varanasi, an estimated one million or more earthen diyas are lit across the 84 ghats stretching along the Ganges. The Dashashwamedh Ghat alone hosts tens of thousands of lamps. In recent years, the celebration has grown to include laser shows and cultural programs alongside the traditional lamp lighting. The sight of the entire riverfront ablaze with flickering flames, reflected in the waters of the Ganges, creates a spectacle that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world.
Festival Details
- Deity
- Shiva / Vishnu
- Category
- Festival of Light
- Regions
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, All India
- Calendar Basis
- Hindu Lunar (Panchang)
- Hindu Month
- Kartik — Shukla Paksha, Purnima
- Importance
- normal