Overview
Dev Diwali, also known as Dev Deepawali, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated primarily in the holy city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It takes place on the full moon night, or Kartik Purnima, in the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually falls 15 days after the widely celebrated festival of Diwali. This occasion is steeped in spiritual significance and is marked by spectacular rituals that draw thousands of devotees and tourists from across the world.
The festival is deeply rooted in the belief that it commemorates Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura. According to Hindu mythology, Tripurasura was a powerful demon who caused widespread chaos and destruction. His defeat by Lord Shiva is seen as a restoration of cosmic peace and harmony, a momentous event celebrated annually on Dev Diwali. To honor this victory, the people light oil lamps, or diyas, in their homes, temples, and along the ghats of the Ganges River, creating a magnificent and ethereal sight.
What makes Dev Diwali unique is the belief that on this day, the gods themselves descend from the heavens to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. This gives the festival its name—Dev Diwali, or the “Diwali of the Gods.” Devotees gather at the riverbanks to take a holy dip, believing that this ritual will purify their souls and help them attain salvation. The sight of thousands of flickering lamps lining the ghats of Varanasi, combined with the serene flow of the Ganges, creates a deeply spiritual atmosphere that is both visually stunning and emotionally moving.
