Dev Deepawali

Dev Deepawali: When the Ghats of Varanasi Light Up in Divine Celebration

Experience the magical festival where diyas illuminate the spiritual capital of India – a celebration that honors both gods and the divine within you.

Have you ever seen fifteen thousand steps glow with the light of a million earthen lamps? I still remember my first glimpse of the Varanasi ghats during Dev Deepawali—the river Ganga transformed into a flowing ribbon of light, reflecting countless diyas that twinkled like earthbound stars. It’s a sight that catches your breath and holds it.

Dev Deepawali, or “the Diwali of the Gods,” isn’t just another festival in India’s spiritual calendar. It’s that rare moment when the barrier between the earthly and divine seems to dissolve, when the gods themselves are said to descend to celebrate on the banks of the sacred Ganga.

Let me take you through this extraordinary celebration that turns Varanasi into heaven on earth, if only for one moonlit night.

Which date is Dev Diwali?

Dev Deepawali falls on the full moon night (Purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, typically occurring in November-December of the Gregorian calendar.

In 2025, Dev Deepawali will be celebrated on Wednesday November 05th.

This timing is significant because it falls exactly fifteen days after the more widely known Diwali. While the whole country lights up for Diwali, Varanasi reserves its grandest illumination for Dev Deepawali, creating a spectacle that draws visitors from across India and around the world.

In which year did Diwali was on November 12?

Tracking these dates can get a bit tricky because the lunar calendar shifts in relation to our standard Gregorian calendar. Diwali itself falls on the new moon day of Kartik month, while Dev Deepawali comes on the full moon. In recent history, Diwali fell on November 12th in 2015, and Dev Deepawali followed fifteen days later.

What is the difference between Dev Diwali and Diwali?

Many visitors to India get confused between these two festivals, and it’s a fair question. Let me break down the key differences:

While both festivals involve light as a central symbol, Dev Deepawali has a distinctly different spiritual focus and is primarily associated with Varanasi.

What is Dev Diwali in Varanasi?

Dev Deepawali transforms Varanasi into perhaps the most luminous city on Earth. The festival holds special significance in this ancient city, which is already considered one of the holiest places in Hinduism.

On this day, all 88 ghats of Varanasi are adorned with rows upon rows of earthen lamps. The steps that descend into the holy Ganga become rivers of light themselves. Devotees place over a million diyas along the ghats, creating a 7 km stretch of illumination that defies description.

Beyond the visual spectacle, Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is deeply spiritual. It’s believed that gods descend to bathe in the Ganga on this day. Devotees also take a holy dip in the river at dawn, seeking blessing and purification.

What is the festival of Varanasi in December?

While Dev Deepawali is typically celebrated in November, sometimes it does fall in early December depending on the lunar calendar. However, if you’re planning a visit to Varanasi in December, you might also witness the Ganga Mahotsav, a cultural festival that celebrates the artistic heritage of Varanasi and often coincides with Dev Deepawali celebrations.

What is the reason for Dev Diwali?

The story behind Dev Deepawali weaves together mythology, spirituality, and historical reverence. The festival commemorates several significant events:

What is the real purpose of Diwali?

While regular Diwali celebrates Lord Rama’s return from exile, Dev Deepawali has different origins. Its primary purpose is to commemorate Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura. According to Hindu mythology, the gods celebrated this victory by illuminating the city of Kashi (Varanasi) with countless lamps.

What is the significance of Kartik Purnima?

Kartik Purnima itself is considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition. It marks the birth of Lord Kartik, son of Lord Shiva, who is the commander-in-chief of the army of the gods. The full moon of this month is believed to have special spiritual power, making it ideal for rituals and celebrations.

On this day, a holy dip in the Ganga is considered especially purifying. Many pilgrims travel great distances just to immerse themselves in the sacred river during Kartik Purnima.

How many days is Dev Deepawali celebrated in Varanasi?

While the main celebration occurs on Kartik Purnima, the preparations begin days in advance. The actual festivities span about three days, with the illumination of the ghats being the culmination. In recent years, the government has expanded the cultural programs associated with Dev Deepawali, sometimes extending celebrations to a five-day festival.

How to wish Dev Diwali?

If you’re wondering about the proper way to acknowledge this auspicious occasion, here are some traditional greetings:

• “Dev Deepawali ki hardik shubhkamnayein” (Heartfelt good wishes for Dev Deepawali)
• “Shubh Dev Deepawali” (Happy Dev Deepawali)
• “Dev Diwali ki mangal kaamnayein” (Auspicious wishes for Dev Diwali)

When greeting elders, it’s customary to touch their feet as a sign of respect while offering these wishes.

How to do puja on Dev Diwali?

The rituals associated with Dev Deepawali are both beautiful and meaningful. If you’re planning to participate, here’s a simple guide:

1. Morning Bath: Begin with a pre-dawn bath, preferably in the Ganga if you’re in Varanasi
2. Offer Prayers: Visit a Shiva temple to offer prayers and abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity)
3. Light Diyas: In the evening, light oil lamps and place them near your home’s entrance or by water bodies
4. Ganga Aarti: Attend the grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, which is especially elaborate on this day
5. Float Offerings: Place flowers, diyas, and offerings on leaf boats and set them afloat on the river

What to do in Dev Diwali at home?

If you can’t make it to Varanasi, you can still honor the spirit of Dev Deepawali at home:

• Clean your house thoroughly before the festival
• Draw beautiful rangoli patterns at your entrance
• Light 108 diyas (or as many as feasible) around your home
• Recite the Kartik Purnima katha (story) with family
• Prepare and share special prasad (blessed food offerings)
• If possible, visit a nearby water body to float a diya in the evening

Is Dev Diwali an auspicious day?

Yes, Dev Deepawali is considered extremely auspicious in Hindu tradition. It’s believed that any prayers or good deeds performed on this day carry multiplied spiritual merit.

Many consider it an especially favorable day for beginning new ventures, making important decisions, or resolving long-standing conflicts. The divine presence thought to grace Varanasi on this day is believed to bring special blessings to all spiritual endeavors.

Is Dev Deepawali worth visiting?

If you’re asking whether the journey to Varanasi for Dev Deepawali is worthwhile, I can only respond with an emphatic yes! Few spectacles in India—or indeed the world—can match the ethereal beauty of a million lamps reflecting on the sacred Ganga.

The experience goes beyond the visual. The air fills with the scent of incense, marigolds, and ghee lamps. Vedic chants blend with devotional songs, creating a soundscape as rich as the sights. The collective energy of thousands of pilgrims and visitors creates an atmosphere that many describe as transcendent.

That said, be prepared for crowds. Varanasi receives its highest number of visitors during this period, and accommodations should be booked months in advance. The narrow lanes and ghats become extremely crowded, so patience is essential.

Which festival is celebrated 15 days after Diwali?

Dev Deepawali is precisely the festival that occurs 15 days after the main Diwali celebration. This 15-day gap represents the lunar progression from Amavasya (new moon) to Purnima (full moon) in the month of Kartik.

Why is Kartik Purnima called Dev Diwali?

The connection between Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali has deep mythological roots. According to Hindu texts, the gods are said to descend to Earth on Kartik Purnima to bathe in the Ganga at Varanasi. Since the gods themselves celebrate a form of Diwali on this day, it came to be known as “Dev Diwali” or “the Diwali of the Gods.”

Which God is Kartik Purnima dedicated to?

While Kartik Purnima honors Lord Kartik (also known as Kartikeya or Skanda), Dev Deepawali specifically celebrates Lord Shiva’s victory. In Varanasi, the celebrations also honor the river Ganga itself, which is personified as a goddess in Hindu tradition.

Why is Kartik Purnima special?

Kartik Purnima holds special significance because the month of Kartik itself is considered the holiest month in the Hindu calendar. The full moon day marks the culmination of this sacred period. Additionally, it’s associated with several important events in Hindu mythology:

• The victory of Lord Shiva over Tripurasura
• The birth of Lord Kartik
• The appearance of the Matsya avatar (fish incarnation) of Lord Vishnu
• The day when the sacred Tulsi plant was married to Lord Vishnu

What is the story behind Kartika Pournami?

The most prominent story connected to Dev Deepawali is that of Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura. According to legend, the demon had created three flying cities (Tripura) from which he terrorized both gods and humans. After a mighty battle, Lord Shiva destroyed all three cities with a single arrow, bringing peace to the universe.

When Lord Shiva returned to Kashi (Varanasi) after this victory, the gods decorated the city with countless lamps to welcome him and celebrate this triumph of good over evil. This divine celebration is what human devotees reenact during Dev Deepawali.

Can we buy a car on Dev Diwali?

Many people consider Dev Deepawali an auspicious time for significant purchases, including vehicles. From a religious perspective, there are no prohibitions against buying a car on this day—in fact, it might be considered favorable.

However, from a practical standpoint, keep in mind that most businesses operate on limited hours during major festivals, and you might find showrooms closed or operating with skeletal staff. If you’re planning such a purchase, it’s advisable to make arrangements in advance.

Can we eat non-veg on Dev Diwali?

Traditionally, all Purnima days (full moon days) in the Hindu calendar are considered appropriate for vegetarian eating. This is especially true for Kartik Purnima, which falls in the holy month of Kartik when many observant Hindus maintain a vegetarian diet for the entire month.

In Varanasi particularly, being a sacred city, vegetarianism is more widely practiced, especially during religious festivals. While there’s no strict prohibition that applies to everyone, those participating in the religious aspects of Dev Deepawali typically abstain from non-vegetarian food on this day.

What is Diwali Dev puja?

The Dev Deepawali puja combines elements of Shiva worship, reverence for the Ganga, and commemoration of departed souls. Here’s what the complete ritual entails:

1. Sankalp (Resolution): Declare your intention to perform the puja with a pure heart
2. Snan (Bathing): Take a ritual bath in the Ganga before sunrise
3. Deepdan (Offering of Lamps): Light diyas and place them along the ghats or near water
4. Pushpanjali (Offering of Flowers): Offer flowers to the river Ganga
5. Aarti (Ritual of Light): Participate in the special Ganga Aarti performed by priests
6. Pind Daan (Offerings for Ancestors): Some devotees also make offerings for departed souls
7. Daan (Charity): Give donations to the poor and needy, which is considered especially meritorious on this day

Why did the Kartik Purnima serial stop?

This question seems to refer to a television serial rather than the festival itself. Several Indian television channels have produced shows based on religious and mythological themes, including some focused on Kartik (Lord Shiva’s son). These programs, like most TV shows, end their runs based on viewership, production considerations, or narrative completion rather than any religious significance.

Dev Deepawali stands as one of India’s most visually spectacular and spiritually significant celebrations. More than just a festival of lights, it represents the enduring spiritual heritage of Varanasi and the timeless connection between the divine and human realms.

If you ever have the opportunity to witness the ghats of Varanasi illuminated by a million lamps, with their light dancing on the sacred waters of the Ganga, don’t hesitate. It’s an experience that speaks to something deeper than just visual beauty—it touches the soul.

Whether you participate as a devoted pilgrim or a curious traveler, Dev Deepawali offers a glimpse into the heart of India’s spiritual tradition, where light eternally triumphs over darkness, and where, for one magical night, heaven seems to descend to Earth.

Have you experienced Dev Deepawali in Varanasi? Or are you planning to visit in the future? I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions in the comments below.