Dev Deepawali: The Festival of Lights
~ Debashri Mandal
One of India’s greatest festivals, Diwali, or Deepawali, lighten up every corner of the country with flowers, sweets, rituals, colorful rangolis, lots of crackers, and, of course, diyas filled with love, warmth, and happiness. However, the festival of lights doesn’t stop here and again re-emerges exactly after fifteen days of Diwali on the ghats of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, known as Dev Deepawali—Diwali of the Gods. Varanasi, considered to be the spiritual heart of Hinduism and its long-standing association with the legends of Shiva, holds a highly spiritual connection between man and God. Every year, it is celebrated on the full moon night of Kartik Purnima in the month of Kartik of the Hindu calendar. This festival transforms the ancient city of Kashi (Varanasi) into a divine golden night, and the Ganga sparkles with millions of embracing diyas. It is said that gods and goddesses themselves come down on the earth to celebrate the light and the victory of good over evil.
Unlike our normal Diwali, which celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, the story of Dev Deepawali goes deep down into the Hindu mythology, as this celebration commemorates Lord Shiva’s victory over a powerful demon, Tripurasura, who terrorized the heaven, the earth, and the underworld. According to the ancient scriptures, Mahadev had to descend on the earth to destroy this demon and restore peace on all three worlds, and from then on, this festival has been celebrated every year in honor of lord Shiva’s victory over Tripurasur, earning him the title Tripurari. And, this day is also known as “Tripurotsav,” mentioned in various Puranas. It is said that even the Ganga herself rejoices in this victory, as the Ganga’s association with Lord Shiva was a divine and cosmic phenomenon, her origin from the jata of his head. In this way, every diya lit on this night is not just a flame but again a tribute to the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (evil).
Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest living cities, brings Dev Deepawali. As dusk falls, more than 80 ghats along the Ganga river are lit up by over a million diyas. Apart from ghats, every corner, starting from the boats, steps ascending from the ghats, and courtyards, to the garbhagriha of the temples, before the idols are decorated with diyas and lamps. From Assi Ghat to Raj Ghat is transformed into a display of devotion and light. Local volunteers, students, and pilgrims gather before sunset to prepare the ghats during the day. Thousands of individuals are placing lamps in perfect rows, ensuring that not a single corner remains in darkness. The Ganga’s glowing image in Varanasi during the festival has been captured on satellite, and it is reportedly visible from the sky. People of different backgrounds, professions, and religions from all over the world travel to witness this magical moment. But, for the people here, it is not just a magnificent view but a spiritual offering, a way to express gratitude to the divine existence that they believe rules the universe and beyond.
On the day of Dev Deepawali, as the first light of the day emerges, thousands of devotees take a holy bath in the Ganga. It is believed to wash away the sins and cleanse the soul with connects the atma (human soul) with the parmatma (the god, the divine soul). This bath is known as Kartik Snan, and it holds great spiritual and traditional significance. Then, people visit temples, pray to different gods and idols related to their customs and traditions, and decorate their homes and places with rangoli, flowers, and diyas. Then the most important ritual is Deepdaan, the offering of diyas in honor of the almighty. Adults or children, people of every age group, caste or community light diyas and float them on the river Ganga as a symbol of their faith and devotion. Each diya carries a prayer for prosperity, ancestors, and loved ones. The sight of millions of diyas drifting on the Ganga’s gentle current is a breathtaking scene to witness, as if a golden string passing through the darkness of night. At sunset, the famous Ganga Aarti takes place at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, and other major ghats. Priests dressed in dhoti (traditional attire) to perform the ritual with large brass diya (lamps), dhoop (incense), sankha (conch shells), and mantras (rhythmic chanting). The music and the fragrance of sandalwood create a spiritual atmosphere that captivates everyone present there in the festival. While Varanasi remains the epicenter, Dev Deepawali is celebrated across many other holy and sacred towns like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, and Gaya, even beyond the borders, such as in Nepal. Each region shows its own way of devotion for the festival, from cultural performances to temple processions and floating diyas. Further, Kartik Purnima, not only Dev Deepawali, but also religions, holds great significance around the world: For Jains, it marks the Nirvana (liberation) of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. On the other hand, for Sikhs, it coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. And, this day becomes a moment of unification, devotion and reflection for millions, beyond religious boundaries.
Dev Deepawali also marks the end of Ganga Maotsav, a five-day cultural celebration embracing spiritual devotion and the great artistic heritage of India. The presentation of classical dance, drama, art, and music on the ghats of Varanasi becomes a great attraction to the devotees as well as tourists beyond the country. Renowned artists and performers come to Varanasi on this day to showcase their art and devotion towards a spiritual celebration and its artistic association with divinity. The floating stages anchored on the Ganga are another platform for their melodies resonating with the calm and gentle flow of the river. These are not only meant for entertainment but also an offering, “Sangeet Arpan” to the mother goddess Ganga. Classical singers and dancers from various regions come to adorn the festival with their graceful performances. The fusion of art and devotion during this festival creates a divine ambience throughout the night. Traditionally, diyas are made from clay, representing our return to nature. The ghee or oil signifies purity of intent, and the flame stands for the soul’s inner light. Kartik Purnima also coincides with a powerful alignment of the moon and certain constellations, which is believed to amplify spiritual energy. In recent years, the festival’s grandeur has attracted international attention too. The aerial view of illuminated Varanasi has been described as “a celestial necklace of light” by travellers and photographers alike. It plays a vital role in promoting cultural tourism and supports local artisans. The government and the local organizations have also taken steps to preserve the ecological balance by using eco-friendly materials.
Apart from the rituals and festivities, Dev Deepawali carries a deep spiritual message. Every diya lit represents the light of devotion, warmth, faith, and consciousness, stripping the darkness within mankind. The festival encourages self-reflection and, a reminder that true victory lies not in destroying outer demons but in conquering the inner ones, such as ego, greed, anger, and fear. Thus, lighting a diya is an act of self-awakening.
