The festive season of Diwali might be coming to an end but the world’s oldest living city of Varanasi is gearing up for Dev Deepawali — or the gods’ festival of lights. It will be celebrated on November 27.
This year, 12,00,000 diyas, including 11,00,000 earthen lamps and 1,00,000 diyas made of cow dung will be lit on 85 ghats of Varanasi.
The festival celebrates the triumph of Lord Shiva against a demon named Tripurasura in a symbolic victory of good over evil. It is believed that Lord Shiva defeated the demon on this day and for this reason Dev Deepwali is also known as Tripura Utsav.
The city of Varanasi holds special significance for this festival as it is believed that the gods descend to Earth to bathe in the Ganges river in the holy city on this day.
The celebration of Dev Diwali in Varanasi is deeply rooted in the city’s spiritual and cultural heritage. It symbolises the divinity of light over darkness, and the sacred connection between the humane and the divine.
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The ghats of Varanasi are illuminated with diyas to pay respect to all gods and goddesses. On this day, people decorate their homes with rangoli and oil lamps.
The Ganga Aarti on Dev Deepawali is one of the main attractions of the festival. Twenty four priests and 24 young girls perform the Ganga Aarti on this day.
The Ganga river is filled with floating diyas and lamps. There is also a ritual of ‘Deep Daan’ which is considered as the most sacred ritual. The act of offering lit up lamps to the Ganga river is called Deep Daan.
The main ritual of the festival involves taking a bath in the Ganges also called Kartik snaan and performing the Deep Daan to the river goddess in the evening. Later the spectacular Ganga Aarti is held in the evening.
Pilgrims visit Varanasi during this time to pay their respects. Fireworks illuminate the night sky and processions are taken out. People also indulge in devotional songs and dance throughout the night.
Pilgrims and tourists not just from India but also from abroad throng the holy city to attend the Dev Deepawali.
