Dev Deepavali Varanasi Festival 2024 - Story And Celebrations

Dev Diwali celebrations of Varanasi are religiously divine and aesthetically pleasing. Every corner of the city becomes alive with shining Diyas and supreme prayers. People believe Gods descend to Varanasi on this auspicious day and take a bath in the Ganga river.

Apart from that, there is an interesting story behind this celebration. Let's know everything about this festival and why the Diwali in Banaras transforms the entire city into a heavenly place, studded with a star like Diyas everywhere!

The Religious Importance

People often get confused between Diwali and Dev Deepawali. Although both are festivals of lights, but they have very different rituals. Dev Diwali festival celebrates the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura. It comes after 15 days of Diwali. Therefore, this festival is also known as Tripurotsav.

Dev Diwali festival is observed on Kartik Purnima (The full moon day of Hindu calendar). Another interesting Dev Diwali story is a belief that all the Gods descend to the sacred city -Varanasi on this auspicious day. And take a bath in the holy river, Ganga.

There are a few religious customs attached to this celebration. Ganga is a holy river for Hindu. People offer flowers and diyas to Goddess Ganga and pray for wellness and prosperity.

As the sun goes down, every step of the Varanasi Ghats glows with thousands of Diyas. All the temples of the city also lit by the clay lamps. At night it looks like stars come down in the town and dancing around Dev Diwali special Rangoli to celebrate this celestial day!

The Rituals of Varanasi Deep Diwali

Our culture celebrates every festival with divine faith and pious customs. Dev Diwali festival of Banaras also includes certain rituals. Let's see how Banaras celebrates this festival.

Kartik Snan - Devotees take a dip in the holy river, Ganga. This act is known as Kartik Snan.
Deepdaan - After the holy bath, at evening devotees offer flowers and Diyas (clay lamps) to Goddess Ganga. The custom of offering a clay lit-up Diya is known as Deepdaan.
Each temple, Ghat, and buildings beside the Ghat is lit up with Diya; Dev Diwali special Rangoli welcomes God with a colourful and spiritual zest.
Varanasi Ganga Aarti - After Deepdan, Pujaris of famous Varanasi temples perform Ganga Aarti. The spectacular view of this Aarti, on the banks of river Ganga, is spiritually uplifting and visually captivating
Indian travellers, Pilgrims and foreign tourists visit the Varanasi during Dev Diwali to experience this celestial event.
Also, some people observe fast on this auspicious day to purify their body, and then they worship Goddess Ganga
After performing Ganga Aarti, people also chant Mantras of their Ishta Devata. It is believed that offerings to other Gods and Goddesses are not accepted if the Ishta Devata is not happy and worshipped correctly.

Dashashwamedha Ghat

This Ghat is different from all the other Varanasi Ghats. Dev Diwali celebrations in Banaras also includes remembering the martyrs. This Ghat represents the patriotic side of this day.

During this time, The Ganga Seva Nidhi organises a program at the Amar jawan Jyoti wherein people remember martyrs and closing ceremony is performed by Indian Army/Navy or air force officers. Also, the Bhagirath Shaurya award is conferred after this event.

Dev Diwali Celebrations

This is a festival of light and joy. People celebrate it with friends and family. Banaras becomes a tourist hub during this period. Local cuisines and Rangolis are part of this enjoyment. People also buy clay Diyas of various sizes and shapes to welcome Gods on this auspicious day.

Dev Diwali images and "Happy dev Diwali Photos/greetings" flood the market. Local Vendors and boatmen also get chance to earn high during festival times. Some people also enjoy fireworks and late-night feasts with friends and their loved ones.

Explore The New You

Experience the magic of this sacred festival by visiting Varanasi on Dev Diwali. Start planning and booking well in advance because Varanasi becomes tourist's attraction during this time. Travellers and devotees witness a remarkable spiritual upliftment after attending this holy event.

Don't just lit Diya, illuminate your self this Dev Diwali. Book Your tickets for 2024 Dev Diwali in Varanasi and be a part of the celestial celebration. May Goddess Ganga help you to explore your spiritual side!