Let your thoughts wander through the maze of narrow roads of Varanasi at night when only the light of millions of diyas illuminates the city. The whole city becomes an open sky having been turned into a heavenly site; all the ‘ghats’ located at the sacred river Ganges appear sentiments in gold. This is what we call Dev Deepawali, the second Diwali – the ‘Diwali of the Gods’ where divine spirits have descended on earth. This festival is celebrated 15 days after Diwali and people from all over the globe turn up to witness Varanasi in a way they have never done before. Dev Deepawali is not only a festival but it is a spiritual enlightenment which establishes the victory of light over darkness and embraces the divine in flames. A spectacle people will not only belittle with their eyes but one which will take your breath away and remain etched in one’s memory.

Dev Deepawali in Varanasi 2024 which is also known as ‘‘Diwali of the Gods “is a festival observed in Kashi/ Varanasi to celebrate the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon called Tripurasura. It is based on the Hindu myth where Tripurasura had overpowered the three worlds and Lord Shiva eliminated him on this occasion to regain order. So, the gods are said to come down to earth, and the people of Varanasi light up lamps for the gods.

Dev Deepawali will be celebrated on the 15th of November, 2024. The festival falls on Kartik Purnima, which is the full moon night coinciding with the month of Kartik as per the Hindu calendar. People circle around waiting for this night to pray, light lamps and engage in religious activities on the banks of the holy river Ganga. The celebrations start with the devotees using millions of diyas to light the foothills extending from Raj Ghat to Ravidas Ghat. The view is rather magical as the dancing light illuminates the faces of the people and the water in the Ganges River. Strings of oil lamps or diyas are placed on temples, people’s homes, and even river boats to signify the triumph over the demons or bad spirits and to welcome the gods who come down to the mortal realm in the form of human descendants.

Besides the lighting of lamps, the ‘Kartik Snan’ which is a holy bath taken in the Ganges is also performed and believed to wash away all sins and attract prosperity. Thus, the evening is devoted to devotional songs, prayers, and various kinds of marvellous performances, making the festival a real phenomenon.

History and Significance of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi

Dev Deepawali has an interesting history imbibed in Hindu mythology and is particularly associated with the triumph of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura. As per the legend mentioned in the Shiva Purana, Tripurasura, a great asura, wanted to rule the three worlds and build three cities in heaven. Since he wanted to be the supreme power on the earth, the gods took this attitude seriously and approached Lord Shiva. During the Kartik Purnima, Lord Shiva appeared as ‘Tripurantaka’ and to subdue the tyranny of the Tripurasura and his cities, he shot an arrow that eliminated the asura and his cities. To celebrate this victory of good over evil this day is known as Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali also popularly known as Tripura Utsav. Dev Diwali is still among one of the biggest festivals that are held in Varanasi.

Dev Deepawali is observed at Varanasi as per the Indian mythology according to which the god of destruction Lord Shiva came down to the earth and took a bath in River Ganga after the victory. The special ritual of lighting small clay lamps (diyas) to welcome the gods into the homes was also introduced in 1985 at the Panchganga Ghat and has evolved into a massive-scale function.

Also, on this occasion, there is Kartik Purnima which is the birthday of Kartik – the son of Shiva. This period also sees the completion of other rituals such as Tulsi Vivah.​

Many worshipers visit the ghats in Varanasi for offerings, do rituals, and take part in the spectacular Gangaur Aarti. The whole city is lit up giving a wonderful sight that attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the region.​

This festival also has a patriotic aspect where people honour members of the armed forces who perished while fighting for the nation.

Cultural Activities during Dev Deepawali 2024

Dev Deepawali brings in many visitors and Varanasi turns into a cultural and religious hub with lots of activities. The best attraction of the festival is Ganga Aarti which is a mesmerizing ritual performed at different ghats in honour of the goddess river Ganga. This elaborate aarti performed by priests in saffron Dhoti is done through the beat of drums, the sound of bells and finally the large-sized brass lamps are swung in circles in harmony with the flow of the river giving an exotic look to the entire scene.

In addition to the Ganga Aarti, the whole Dev Deepavali is filled with other cultural programmes like – concert programs of classical instrumentalists and vocalists along with devotional songs sung in praise of Shiva-Kartikeya. The light music of Dhrupad, Thumri, and Bhajans (devotional songs) reverberating in the ghats add to the pious mood. These ones are usually attended by our local cultural organizations and the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department in a yearly event known as the Ganga Mahotsav. The annual five-day music and dance festival culminates on Dev Deepawali featuring Indian culture and tradition.

Some of the dance performances included are Kathak and Bharatanatyam which portray stories consisting of the victories of Gods like the annihilation of Tripurasura by Lord Shiva, and some episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Boat Aarti is also performed here where the whole rituals are performed on the boats in the river Ganges and it becomes a spectacular view.

  Some of the favourite subjects include mythological plays such as Ramlila and other related plays depicting Shiva particularly, his triumph over Tripurasura. Other traditional folk theatre shows are also held such as Jhaanki, which shows the episodes from Lord Kartikeya and other gods.

Therefore, apart from Religious and Cultural performances viewers get to see festoons, fireworks, and diyas floating on the river Ganges also give an essence of magical beauty to the festival. During the festive period, people in boats taking a ride at night on the river were very common since the ghats and temples were lit with lamps.

Famous Ghats and Temples to Visit during Dev Deepawali 2024

Dev Deepawali is a night when all the Ghats and temples of Varanasi come to life by rows of diyas floating in the river. While all the ghats are lit, certain ones stand out for their unique experiences:

Dashashwamedh Ghat:

One of the largest, most magnificent, the Ganga arti of Dev Deepawali is performed on Dashashwamedh ghat On Dev Deepawali, 21 Brahmin priests, carrying multilevel arti lamps and perform a ritual called ‘Ganga Puja’, which is done while reciting Vedic mantras, beating drums and blowing conch shells in front of the Ganges this cyclic act of bowing priests offering prayers to the river along with the lighting of diyas is a beautiful sight to behold. Every year, the religious fair brings lakhs of devotees and tourists to the region.

Assi Ghat:

The next significant place that gets lit during Dev Deepawali is the Assi Ghat which has marked a significant place culturally. Classical songs, dances, sermons, and evening prayers are performed here. The Kartik Snan is also performed at Assi Ghat when the people are immersed in the Ganges River to wash away their sins.

Manikarnika Ghat:

Known for its cremation facility it is one of the holiest ghats of Varanasi and is associated with the life-death cycle. In the context of Dev Deepawali, this ghat has its own religious vibes, and many people will come to perform the Pittar Tarpin ritual and pray for their forefathers to get peace.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple:

Thus, Dev Deepawali is the right time to visit the famous temple of Lord Vishwanath or Lord Shiva in Varanasi. It is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas that have been accorded the highest sanctity in India and is an important pilgrimage centre. Many people visit this temple during the festival to pray to Lord Shiva. Anniversaries or special occasions are marked when the puja is done at the temple and the temple is very aesthetically done up.

Like Kashi Vishwanath, Panchganga Ghat is also important in Varanasi and it is said that here five rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana and Dhutapapa join. Its religious significance is quite significant and has been often preferred among the devotees for special occasion purposes. The practice of illuminating diyas on Dev Deepawali at Panchganga Ghat started in 1985 and thereby it has become one of the important places for this occasion. The heritage, Panchganga Ghat was also developed and renovated in the 18th century by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.

Varanasi has about 87 ghats along the Ganga with some very interesting names such as Pandey Ghat, Maan-Mandir Ghat –constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, Lalita Ghat –constructed by the late king of Nepal, Tulsi Ghat and Kedar Ghat. In the evenings each ghat will have its own small functions.

Dev Deepawali- when to visit

Dev Deepawali in Varanasi 2024 is organised on the 15th day of the lunar month of Kartik. The festival is celebrated from Prabodhini Ekadashi which falls in the Kartika month to the Kartik Poornima which is a full moon night. This is the peak time to be in Varanasi, therefore book your transport and accommodation before arriving in the city. To witness the actual beauty of the lit-up ghats, especially during the Dev Deepawali festival, it is recommended to look for accommodation near the Ganges River. However, do not be surprised to hike up and down the ghat staircases every time when you want to go to the city centre.

How to Reach Varanasi for Dev Deepawali 2024

Varanasi is well-connected by air, rail, and road:

• By Air: The closest airport, which is the Lucknow airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport around 25 km from the central bus stand.
• By Train: Varanasi Junction is well-connected by train from many of the other large centres in the country including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, among others.
• By Road: Varanasi is a well-connected city via national highways, so one can go by bus or car.

Accommodation Options in Varanasi during Dev Deepawali 2024-

Luxury Options:

1. Taj Ganges
   • Price: ₹10,500 – ₹12,000 per night (approx.)
   • Specialization: A resort hotel with spacious rooms and suites, stunning landscaping and gardens, a swimming pool within the lush well-manicured compound, and close to the historical Temple of Kashi Vishwanath temple approximately -4.3 km. Ideal for a comfortable and beautiful long stay in Varanasi.
2. Brijrama Palace
   • Price: ₹17,000 – ₹25,000 per night (approx.)
   • Specialization: An approachable heritage hotel that is located close to the Ganges riverbank and would be perfect for witnessing the Dev Deepawali festival. The interior and the exterior of the palace offer the atmosphere of a royal place with its historic structure and elegant decoration.
     

Budget-Friendly Options:

1. Goroomgo Vrrinda Residency
   • Price: ₹1,199 per night
   • Specialization: The hotel lies close to both Assi Ghat and Banaras Hindu University, It is a Budget hotel for travellers and it is situated in a very convenient place in Varanasi allowing easy access to the whole city. It provides essential services and may be suitable for low-cost tourists in need of comfort.
2. Kashi Dham Home Stay
   • Price: ₹2,426 per night
   • Specialization: An economical accommodation type which makes it perfect for individuals looking for a more home-like setting during their travel. It is in the central business district and a tourist can get an enjoyable stay through individual attention.
3. Zostel Varanasi
   • Price: ₹800 – ₹1,500 per night (approx.)
   • Specialization: Most suitable for young people, and spontaneous travellers, it is also perfect for meeting new people – a typical hostel. Some properties offer dormitory accommodation while others have individual rooms; Zostel has a trendy young look that makes it an excellent place to make friends with fellow travellers.

The Ganga Mahotsav is an annual 5 event that ends on Dev Deepawali when the cultural and spiritual significance of the city of Varanasi is celebrated. The festival seems to comprise concerts of classical music and dances, as well as art exhibitions, which will represent the traditions of India. Various artists of the country perform in this programme and present items in Hindustani classical music, Kathak dance and Folk art forms. Some craftsmen showcase their products and others sell local dishes which makes the experience cultural. The festival symbolises the strong bond of Varanasi with the Ganges and brings a large number of devotees and tourists from across the world making the festival an integral part of celebrations in the city of Varanasi.

Dev Deepawali in Varanasi 2024 deems you to enter a parallel universe where the divine meets enchanting. Women holding lamps, Men singing powerful chants, and the holy river Ganges- these things form an unforgettable backdrop. It is the time when the city just sparkles, not with the lights, but with the passion, with the culture and togetherness. No matter if anyone visits the place for prayers or celebrations, the festive mood of Dev Deepawali makes your heart happy and your mind full of cherished moments.