Dev Diwali Varanasi

Dev Deepawali is an auspicious Indian festival and significant in Hindu culture. Dev Diwali is a Kartik Poornima festival celebrated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, which falls on Kartik month's full moon according to the Hindu calendar. Dev Diwali is a unique festival that is celebrated only in Varanasi. Devotees come together to celebrate the auspicious festival on the Ghats of Varanasi.

Origin & History of Dev Diwali

The Dev Deepawali festival, celebrated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, falls 15 days after Diwali, on the full moon of the Hindu month Kartik. According to Hindu mythology, the Hindu god Shiva killed a demon named Tripurasur on this day. Therefore, the festival, Dev Deepawali, is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Shiva over the devil. Apart from this, the festival also marks the birth anniversary of Lord Kartik, son of Shiva.

Hindu gods are believed to descend from heaven on this day to celebrate victory. Therefore, Varanasi Ghats are lit with millions of earthen diyas on Dev Diwali to welcome the gods. Lighting the diyas on Dev Diwali began at the Panchganga Ghat in 1985.

The devotees light millions of earthen lamps on River Ganga's ghats, from Raj Ghat to the Ravidas Ghat at the southern end. They also gather to dip in the holy Ganges, locally called the 'Kartik Snan,' with the widespread belief that taking a dip in the sacred Ganga washes sin and brings prosperity. Dev Diwali is the last day of Ganga Mahotsav when Varanasi is believed to become a gods' heavenly abode.

Dev Diwali 2024 Date

Celebrated on Kartik Poornima, the Dev Deepawali date lies around 15 days after the Diwali festival. This year, Dev Deepawali will be celebrated on 15th November. Per the Drikpanchang, the Purnima Tithi begins at noon on 15th November 2024 and ends at 05:10 pm on 19th November 2024. The Puja is performed during the Pradosh Mahurat. As per the pachang, the Pradosh Kal Dev Diwali Mahurat is from 5:10 pm to 7:47 pm on 16th November 2024.

Highlights of Dev Deepawali

Dev Deepawali is one of the most celebrated festivals in Varanasi. The Varanasi Ghats come alive with millions of earthen lamps, and the Ganga water reflects the light of the glorious full moon. The breathtaking sight is indescribable and can only be experienced in person.The highlights of Dev Diwali are :

• The Varanasi ghats' steps on Ganga River banks, from Ravidas Ghat to Raj Ghat, are lit will millions of diyas to pay tribute to the Goddess of Ganga.
• During the festival, the houses in Varanasi are decorated with lamps and rangolis. Processions of deities are taken out on the Varanasi streets, and diyas are set afloat on the river.
• The devotees perform the rituals of Kartik Snan and take a holy dip in the Ganga and the tradition of Deepdan by offering oiled lamps to the Ganga in the evening.
• Varanasi becomes a center of the major tourist attractions during the festival. The sight of thousands of lamps lighting the Ghats and floating in the river is a breathing sight described by those who witness it.
• The world-famous Ganga Arti is performed on Dev Diwali evening, and people from all over the country gather to watch the aarti. The aarti is served by 21 Brahmin pandits and 24 young women. The rituals include drum beating, chanting hymns, and conch shell blowing.
• Boat rides in the evening are popular when all the Ghats are decorated with lamps and aarti. When witnessed from a boat, the sight appears breathtaking.

How to Reach Varanasi?

Varanasi, also known as Banaras or Kashi, is a prominent cultural location. The city attracts many foreign and foreign visitors from different parts of India every year. Moreover, Varanasi has become a crucial religious hub, especially during Dev Diwali, as devotees gather in large numbers to celebrate the festival. The hotels in Varanasi are booked in advance during the season. Rail, Roa,d well connect Varanasi and Ai,r and traveling to the city is easily facilitated.

The Varanasi Airport, or Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, is located just 18 km from the central city and well connected with major Indian cities. IndiGo, Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, and Vistara are the domestic airlines operating in the city.

Varanasi is also connected by rails. The city has two major railway stations, the Varanasi Junction or the Varanasi Cantt and Kashi Railway Station. These stations are well-linked with major Indian cities via the rail network.

Varanasi has excellent road connectivity with cities like Lucknow, Patna, Gorakhpur, Allahabad, and Ranchi. The city is well-linked to other cities via well-maintained National Highways 2, 7, 29, and 56. The excellent road conditions make it an ideal choice for travelers to travel to the city via bus. Several Uttar Pradesh State Buses and private bus services frequently ply in and out of Varanasi. Furthermore, you can directly book them on redBus.The buses are comfortable and air-conditioned at a reasonable cost, making them an ideal choice for the journey. Buses often run from Allahabad (120 km), Patna (215 km), Gorakhpur (165 km), Lucknow (270 km), and Ranchi (325 km).

If you're looking to travel to Dev Diwali venues and worried about safe travel, you can choose the Primo service launched by redBus. Primo is where passengers can enjoy traveling in high-rated buses with best-in-class services. While looking for bus tickets on the desired route, customers can check the Primo tag to choose this outstanding service. From hygiene standards to on-time service and comfort, there are many benefits that passengers can get from Primo buses.