Dev Diwali, also known as “The Festival of Lights of the Gods,” is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik. This festival is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil and to honor the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.

The festival is celebrated mainly in the holy city of Varanasi, located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Varanasi is known for its ancient temples, spiritual atmosphere, and religious significance. The city is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, one of the three main deities in Hinduism.

Dev Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion in Varanasi. Devotees from all over the world come to the city to witness the grand celebrations. The festival is celebrated for five days, starting with Prabhodhini Ekadashi, which falls on the 11th day of the waxing phase of the moon in Kartik month.

dev dipawali
Oil lamps lit on colorful rangoli during diwali celebration

The festival has several significant aspects, including the following:

  1. Honoring the gods and goddesses: Dev Diwali is a time when the gods and goddesses are believed to descend to earth to bless their devotees. Devotees offer prayers, light lamps, and perform other religious rituals to show their devotion and seek blessings.
  2. Celebrating the victory of good over evil: Dev Diwali is also a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasura on this day, and thus, the festival is also known as Tripurotsav.
  3. Lighting of lamps: The lighting of lamps is an important aspect of Dev Diwali celebrations. Devotees light thousands of lamps along the ghats (river banks) of the Ganges River in Varanasi to create a mesmerizing sight. This tradition is believed to have originated from the belief that Lord Shiva himself lit lamps to welcome the gods and goddesses.
  4. Boat procession: Another highlight of Dev Diwali celebrations in Varanasi is the boat procession. Devotees decorate boats with colorful lights and flowers and offer prayers to the river Ganges. The procession is led by priests, who perform various religious rituals to seek the blessings of the gods and goddesses.

Dev Diwali is a significant festival in the Hindu calendar, and it holds immense spiritual significance for devotees. The festival reminds us of the victory of good over evil and the importance of seeking the blessings of the gods and goddesses. Dev Diwali celebrations in Varanasi are a sight to behold, and the festival attracts devotees and tourists from all over the world.

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