Dev Diwali, also known as Dev Deepawali, is a Hindu holiday observed in India. It occurs on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Kartik, which falls in November or December on the Gregorian calendar.

It is observed to commemorate and welcome the gods and goddesses believed to descend on this day. It is believed that the gods visit the sacred river Ganges to bathe, and people burn diyas (lamps) to welcome and honor them. The event is mainly celebrated in the holy city of Varanasi, where thousands of diyas (river banks) of the Ganges are lit.

Dev Diwali, like Diwali, is considered a festival of lights, and people decorate their homes with lights and multicolored rangolis (patterns made with colored powders). It is a time for family reunions, eating, and the exchange of sweets and presents. The event is significant culturally and religiously, and it is celebrated with tremendous zeal and delight throughout India.

Why is Dev Diwali Celebrated?

In Hinduism, Dev Diwali has immense mythical importance. According to Hindu legend, Lord Vishnu destroyed the demon Tripurasura on the day of Dev Diwali, who had amassed enormous strength and had become a menace to the gods and the world.

The demon Tripurasura is said to have three cities (Tripura) constructed of gold, silver, and iron that could only be defeated if all three cities were destroyed at the same time. Lord Vishnu, with the assistance of Lord Shiva, demolished the three cities with a single arrow, defeating the demon.

Another tradition related to Dev Diwali is that on this day, Lord Shiva announced that the gods will return to Earth every year to bathe in the sacred river Ganges. On this day, it is claimed that Lord Shiva himself visits Varanasi to take a swim in the Ganges, and people light diyas to welcome him.

Dev Diwali is also observed to honor the Diwali celebration, which occurs 15 days earlier. King Rama is said to have returned to Ayodhya on Diwali after slaying Ravana, and the inhabitants of Ayodhya lighted diyas to welcome him back. As a result, Dev Diwali is seen as a day when the gods visit the earth and engage in the festivities of the victory of good over evil.

How is it Celebrated?

Dev Diwali is celebrated in many ways throughout India, but the most prominent events take place in Varanasi, India’s holiest city. Thousands of diyas (lamps) are lit on the Ganges ghats (river banks) to welcome the gods and goddesses who are believed to descend on the world on this day.

It is regarded as an auspicious day for bathing in the sacred Ganges, and many people do so to cleanse themselves and seek blessings. It is a day for puja and prayers, during which people pray to the gods and goddesses for health, riches, and success.

To commemorate the occasion, people adorn their houses and streets with rangoli and lights. During Dev Diwali, several cultural activities and events are conducted, including music, dance, and theatrical performances. Dev Diwali is a time for family reunions, eating, and the exchange of sweets and presents.

Dev Diwali is a joyful and colorful celebration commemorating the triumph of good over evil and the entrance of gods and goddesses on Earth. It is a time for family reunions, eating, and the exchange of sweets and presents. In India, the holiday has enormous cultural and religious significance, and it is celebrated with great zeal and excitement.

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