Famous as Diwali of the Gods, Dev Deepawali is celebrated majorly in Varanasi and falls on the night of Kartik Poornima. The festival takes place 15 days post-Diwali, which gives people one more opportunity to celebrate and relish the festivities of the festival of lights to the fullest.
On this occasion, from Ravidas Ghat to the southern end of the Rajghat, the Ganges riverfront is beautifully decorated and lit with diyas. And what is even more interesting to know here is that for this purpose, about a million earthen lamps are lit. The view of the ghats during this festival oozes nothing but bliss and divinity.
The beautiful festival of Dev Deepawali came into existence in the 1980s at the Panchganga Ghat. Visiting the ghats, you will feel as if everything’s meant to unfold itself like a godly plan. Yes, the aura of this place is such that you will feel the divine energies entering your body.
Truly, the faith and the devotion on this particular day are unparalleled to anything seen or heard. This year, in 2020, Dev Diwali will be celebrated on November 30, 2020.
Rituals of Dev Deepawali Varanasi
The primary ritual of Dev Deepawali is lighting the diyas after seeing the moon. Apart from that, there are two major rituals namely Kartik Snan and Deep Dan.
On the day of this pious occasion, the devotees get up early in the morning to take Kartik Snan which essentially means taking a dip into the holy waters of Ganges and cleansing oneself from all the bad and negative karma.
After this ritual is performed, then comes the turn for Deep Dan which is basically offering oil to the earthen lamps. This particular ritual is carried out in the honour of Goddess Ganga.
Major Attractions of Dev Deepawali Celebrations
On this occasion, a great number of devotees gather to attend this four-day Ganga Mahotsav. The official celebrations of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi are held on the Dasaswamedh Ghat where many reputed artists and performers from all over the country come to perform.
And on the evening of this festival, one can see throngs of devotees performing aartis and lighting diyas on the ghats. They participate with a lot of devotion and decorate the ghats along the riverbank for the celebrations.
Diyas are lit as a sign of welcoming the Gods as they descend on Earth. However, the major highlight of this festival is the magnificent Ganga Aarti which is all about invoking spirituality from within.
Mostly, every ghat organizes their own ceremony with gigantic lamps that are set ablaze with priests chanting hymns.
How is Dev Diwali Celebrated?
Dev Diwali in Banaras or Varanasi is a celebration known for its splendor and grandeur. Thousands of devotees visit the holy city to attend this religious observance.
This festival is celebrated with much rejoice in Varanasi and in some parts of Gujarat. People decorate their homes on this day with rangoli and light oil lamps in every corner. In some homes recital of Akhand Ramayana is also done followed by distribution of Bhog.
The main tradition of Dev Deepawali Festival is observed on the sighting of the moon. The steps of the entire ghat of River Ganges stretching from the southernmost bank i.e. Ravi Ghat to Raj Ghat are beautifully lit with tiny diyas (earthen lamps) to pay respect to Ganga river and the descended Gods and Goddesses.
Grand processions in reverence to the respective deities are the highlight of this festival. The night sky is beautified with firecrackers and people indulge in devotional dance and music all night long.
Why is Dev Diwali celebrated?
Dev Diwali is celebrated in Varanasi at the bank of River Ganges. It marks an end to the Diwali celebrations as well as concludes the Tulsi Vivah ritual. The religious significance of Dev Deepawali lies in the belief that on this day Gods and Goddesses comes down on the earth to take a holy dip in River Ganges. The complete ghat of the holy river is bedecked with millions of tiny earthen lamps (diyas) in the honor of the Gods and Goddesses and River Ganges. This ritual of lighting up earthen lamps was initiated in the year 1985 at the Panchganga Ghat.
It is believed that on this very day, Lord Shiva became victorious on the demon named Tripurasur and hence this festival is also known as Tripura Utsav. Other festivals that fall on Dev Diwali are Guru Nanak Jayanti & Jain light festival.
Apart from the religious significance, this day is also associated with a patriotic significance. On this day, the entire brave soldier in Indian forces, who died fighting for India, are remembered and paid tribute to. Wreaths are offered as a tribute to the martyrs in Varanasi. This event is organized on a grand scale by Ganga Seva Nidhi. Patriotic songs are sung and the event is ended by the last post by three Indian Armed Forces.
How to Reach
By Air: Traveling to Varanasi via flight is a good option. It is well connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow and more. Spicejet and Indigo Airlines operate at a good frequency to and from Varanasi airport.
This airport is considered to be the 21st busiest airport in India in terms of passenger movement and the second busiest in all of Uttar Pradesh. After you deboard at this airport, you will need to take a cab or a local auto to cover the remaining distance to your destination.
By Train: Varanasi has its own railway junction with the same name i.e. Varanasi Junction. It is also known as Banares Junction and Varanasi Cantt Railway Station. It is important to note that this station has a modern route interlock system comprising of the automated signaling system.
Boating
Watching Dev Diwali and the lights hovering over the ghats is best experienced from a boat. Book your ride with other travelers and experience the scintillating evening with thousands of lights welcoming Gods descend on the earth to celebrate Diwali in Varanasi. Witness the grandest festival of Varanasi with music, dance, cultural programs, theatrical dramas, lighting of diyas on various ghats, beautiful floral decorations, hymns and chants and many more things all happening around you on the Ganges and the Ghats.
Very informative.
Very nice,