If Diwali celebrates Lord Rama's victory, Dev Diwali honours Lord Shiva's — 4 facts that make the day special
Diwali is one of the most popular Hindu festivals celebrated across India. It is believed that Diwali was celebrated to commemorate Rama’s return to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Rama by decorating the city with lights and lighting diyas. Right after 15 days, on the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartika, India celebrates an equally beautiful and luminous festival called, Dev Diwali or Dev Deepawali.
But how many of you are aware of the significance of this beautiful festival and do you know Dev Deepawali is closely associated with Lord Shiva (as Tripurari or Tripurantaka). In Varanasi, Dev Deepawali is a big festival celebrated with lighting diyas on the ghats of Ganga.
On this note, let’s have a look at four facts that explain why this day is so auspicious and special.
It falls on a full-moon linking several legends
Dev Deepawali falls on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day). In some traditions, the day is also known as Tripuri Purnima or Tripurari Purnima because of Shiva legend. It is said on this day, Shiva destroyed the three fortified cities of the demon called Tripurasura. Because it is a full-moon day, Kartik Purnima is considered highly auspicious for holy baths, charity and lamp offerings across North India.
The mythological story of Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura
Legend has it that Tripurasura of the three floating demon-cities (Tripura) used to trouble the gods. He had a blessing that he would only be killed when all his three cities would be in the same alignment and that would only happen once in many years. According to Puranic accounts, Lord Shiva destroyed Tripurasura and his cities with a single arrow, earning the epithets Tripurari and Tripurantaka. This alignment and killing of Tripurasur happened on Kartik Purnima or full moon day. Thousands of devotees celebrated the day as the “Diwali of the gods” and as a celebration of Shiva’s role in restoring peace.
Varanasi’s celebrates ‘descent of the gods’ theme
Varanasi (Kashi) celebrates this victory of Shiva and ‘descent of the gods’ in the most spectacular way. Shiva’s Nagari (Varanasi) is a visual treat on the day Dev Deepawali. The ghats of Varanasi light up with thousands of earthen lamps (diyas). Ganga aartis are performed at dusk. It is considered as the night when the Devas (gods) descend to the Ganges. And this is the reason why the festival’s name is called Dev Deepawali, meaning the gods’ festival of lights.
Ritual practices and Kartik Snan
Dev Deepawali is a beautiful blend of devotion wherein many people observe fast and holy bathing in the Ganga. Mass lamp-lighting and processions also take place at different places across the country. On this day, pilgrims take Kartik snan (a holy dip) in the Ganges which is considered auspicious. They also offer diya to the Ganga. It is also considered a great day for charity.
Rama’s Diwali and Shiva’s Dev Diwali
Both festivals are celebrated with lights. But their emphasis differs: Diwali in India commemorates Rama’s homecoming, a narrative about dharma while Dev Deepawali celebrates Shiva’s victory and restoring cosmic order. While Diwali was celebrated by the humans, Dev Deepawali is considered gods’ own festival on the riverbanks.
Tips for travellers
Dev Deepawali is one of the busiest and crowdest days on the ghats of Varanasi. Authorities often run special arrangements for crowd control and boating.
Typical observances include Kartik snan (holy bath), offering diyas on the ghats, attending Ganga-aarti, and charity.
Dev Deepawali may be a less-known festival across India, it is huge in North India, especially in Varanasi. The day honours Shiva’s greater role in the cosmic battle between order and chaos.
But how many of you are aware of the significance of this beautiful festival and do you know Dev Deepawali is closely associated with Lord Shiva (as Tripurari or Tripurantaka). In Varanasi, Dev Deepawali is a big festival celebrated with lighting diyas on the ghats of Ganga.
On this note, let’s have a look at four facts that explain why this day is so auspicious and special.
It falls on a full-moon linking several legends
Dev Deepawali falls on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day). In some traditions, the day is also known as Tripuri Purnima or Tripurari Purnima because of Shiva legend. It is said on this day, Shiva destroyed the three fortified cities of the demon called Tripurasura. Because it is a full-moon day, Kartik Purnima is considered highly auspicious for holy baths, charity and lamp offerings across North India.
The mythological story of Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura
Legend has it that Tripurasura of the three floating demon-cities (Tripura) used to trouble the gods. He had a blessing that he would only be killed when all his three cities would be in the same alignment and that would only happen once in many years. According to Puranic accounts, Lord Shiva destroyed Tripurasura and his cities with a single arrow, earning the epithets Tripurari and Tripurantaka. This alignment and killing of Tripurasur happened on Kartik Purnima or full moon day. Thousands of devotees celebrated the day as the “Diwali of the gods” and as a celebration of Shiva’s role in restoring peace.
Varanasi’s celebrates ‘descent of the gods’ theme
Varanasi (Kashi) celebrates this victory of Shiva and ‘descent of the gods’ in the most spectacular way. Shiva’s Nagari (Varanasi) is a visual treat on the day Dev Deepawali. The ghats of Varanasi light up with thousands of earthen lamps (diyas). Ganga aartis are performed at dusk. It is considered as the night when the Devas (gods) descend to the Ganges. And this is the reason why the festival’s name is called Dev Deepawali, meaning the gods’ festival of lights.
Ritual practices and Kartik Snan
Dev Deepawali is a beautiful blend of devotion wherein many people observe fast and holy bathing in the Ganga. Mass lamp-lighting and processions also take place at different places across the country. On this day, pilgrims take Kartik snan (a holy dip) in the Ganges which is considered auspicious. They also offer diya to the Ganga. It is also considered a great day for charity.
Rama’s Diwali and Shiva’s Dev Diwali
Both festivals are celebrated with lights. But their emphasis differs: Diwali in India commemorates Rama’s homecoming, a narrative about dharma while Dev Deepawali celebrates Shiva’s victory and restoring cosmic order. While Diwali was celebrated by the humans, Dev Deepawali is considered gods’ own festival on the riverbanks.
Tips for travellers
Dev Deepawali is one of the busiest and crowdest days on the ghats of Varanasi. Authorities often run special arrangements for crowd control and boating.
Typical observances include Kartik snan (holy bath), offering diyas on the ghats, attending Ganga-aarti, and charity.
Dev Deepawali may be a less-known festival across India, it is huge in North India, especially in Varanasi. The day honours Shiva’s greater role in the cosmic battle between order and chaos.
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