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Dev Diwali, celebrated with grandeur in parts of India, honors the gods and marks a time for spiritual reflection. But what is the exact date, why is it celebrated, and what rituals make it unique for devotees across the country?
Rituals include Ganga aarti, lighting lamps, and performing pujas on riverbanks.
New Delhi: Dev Diwali, also known as “Dev Deepawali,” is observed on the full moon (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually falls in November. This year, the festival will celebrated on November 5, the full moon day or Kartik Purnima. Dev Diwali is known as the 'Diwali of the Gods, marking it fifteen days after the traditional Diwali festival. The timing symbolizes the culmination of Diwali festivities and the triumph of light over darkness, not just in homes but also in the spiritual realm.
The festival holds deep spiritual and religious significance. Dev Diwali is believed to be the day when Lord Shiva and other deities descend to Earth to bless devotees. It is also considered an auspicious time to honor ancestors, seeking their blessings for prosperity, peace, and wellbeing. For many, lighting lamps during Dev Diwali symbolizes the victory of divine light over ignorance and darkness, emphasizing spiritual renewal and reflection.
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Dev Diwali is celebrated with elaborate rituals, especially along the ghats of holy rivers. Devotees perform Ganga aarti, lighting thousands of lamps (diyas) along the riverbanks, creating a breathtaking spectacle of light reflecting on the water. Special pujas are offered to deities, and people take holy dips in rivers to cleanse their soul. Many devotees also offer prayers to ancestors and distribute sweets and charity. Temples across India host cultural performances, devotional music, and spiritual discourses to mark the occasion.
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The festival celebrates the divine presence on Earth, reinforcing the connection between mortals and gods. Dev Diwali also emphasizes gratitude, reverence, and community bonding, as thousands gather at riverbanks and temples to participate in rituals together. It is a time for spiritual reflection, expressing devotion, and spreading light—both metaphorically and literally.
While Dev Diwali is celebrated in many parts of India, it is most famous in Varanasi, where the ghats of the Ganges are illuminated with millions of diyas. Cities like Allahabad, Haridwar, and Gokul also witness grand festivities. The visual spectacle, combined with devotional music and cultural activities, attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists from across the country and beyond, making it a festival of devotion and spectacle alike.
