Dev Diwali 2023

Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali takes place on the full-moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika. It takes place on November 26 this year. It’s a celebration that takes place 15 days after Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights. What makes Dev Deepawali different from Diwali? Diwali is for mere mortals; Dev Deepawali is the festival of the gods. It happens in Varanasi – one of the holiest cities in Hindu mythology.

Hindus believe that on this day, the gods celebrate the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura. Devotees light up Varanasi’s ghats (steps) with a million earthen lamps. But the lamps have nothing on the glow of the moon. Every year, Dev Deepawali falls on a full-moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika.

Dev Diwali 2023 is on November 26, Sunday

History of Dev Diwali

Most people are familiar with Diwali – a festival celebrated by Hindu communities in India. Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Laxman after 14 years of exile. They come back victorious after slaying the demon, Ravana. Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India. People light their homes with diyas (earthen lamps) and lights. Eating mithai or sweets is the order of the day, as is a lot of food and card parties.

The celebrations don’t stop, since Dev Deepawali takes place 15 days after. It’s the Diwali of the Gods and also known as ‘Kartik Purnima.’ To experience the festival’s serenity, one must visit the ghats of Varanasi. Thousands of lamps illuminate the steps, their light reflected in the river’s shimmering waters.

There’s hymn chanting, conch shell blowing, and rhythmic drum beating all around. It’s hard not to feel the presence of divine forces. Thousands of devotees take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges. People believe that bathing in the waters washes your sins away, bringing you closer to the gods.

Dev Deepawali honors Lord Shiva who defeated and killed three powerful demons: Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha, and Viryavana, together known as Tripurasura. Such a feat called for a divine celebration, no less, which is why the gods themselves revel in Shiva’s victory each year. It’s fitting that the celebrations happen in Varanasi, long considered the city of Lord Shiva.

Rituals of Dev Diwali

The main ritual of Dev Diwali is the lighting of diyas after seeing the moon. The steps of every ghat of River Ganga, right from the southernmost Ravidas Ghat to Rajghat, are illuminated with millions of diyas lit in honor of Goddess Ganga and other presiding devas.

The devotees get up early on the day of Dev Diwali and perform the ‘Kartik Snan’, which is a ritual of taking a dip in the holy Ganges). They perform ‘Deepdan’ (offering oil lamps) in honor of Goddess Ganga. Following this ‘Ganga aarti’ is performed by 24 Brahmin Priests along with 24 girls, with full devotion.

On this occasion of Dev Diwali, people decorate their houses with oil lamps. Colorful designs or rangoli are made on the front doors. In several houses in Varanasi, ‘Akhand Ramayana’ is organized along with offering bhogs.

In the evening, on the streets of Varanasi, huge processions of beautifully decorated deities are taken out with full enthusiasm. The night sky is lit up with the lights of the firecrackers. After the event, dance performances and cultural programs by famous personalities of Varanasi also take place.

As the name implies, Dev Diwali is the Deepawali of the Gods or Devas. It ends the celebrations of Diwali as on this day the Tulsi Vivah Ritual also comes to an end. It is believed that on the day of Dev Diwali, the Gods and Goddesses descend to Earth to take bath in Ganga.

This unique tradition of lighting diyas on the day of Dev Diwali was initiated at the Panchganga Ghat in the year 1985. The small town of Varanasi turns into one of the biggest tourist attractions on the occasion of Dev Diwali. Thousands of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad, come to witness this breathtaking sight.

Besides the religious significance, the day of Dev Diwali also commemorates the brave martyrs, who lost their lives fighting for their country. Wreaths are offered as a remembrance of those brave soldiers, in different areas of Varanasi. This event is organized by the ‘Ganga’ Seva Nidhi’. The traditional last post by the three-armed forces (Army, Air Force, and Navy) is performed at the end. Bhajans and patriotic songs are also sung and the ‘Bhartiya Shourya Samman’ awards are also given.

FAQS

How do you do Punja on Dev Diwali?

For a start, offer prayers and flowers to Lord Ganesha. Then, 21 Brahmins and 41 young girls offer diyas (earthen lamps) and chant the Vedic mantras along. And then the ritual known as Kartik Snan, which involves taking a dip in the river Ganges, follows.

What are the traditional practices for Deepawali?

During Deepawali, people wear their finest clothes; adorn the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas and rangoli; perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth; light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared.

Is Deepawali for Indians or Hindus?

Though traditionally a Hindu festival, Deepawali is also celebrated by Indians of other religions, including the Sikhs and the Jains.