Dev Diwali is also known as the Diwali of the Gods, which is one of the spectacular festivals of India, more particularly for the natives of Varanasi. Although all over the country people celebrate Diwali in the same month, Dev Diwali takes place after a fortnight and is different in terms of prayers and festivities. Find out all you need to know about Varanasi’s Dev Diwali—its dates, rituals, and why it’s unlike any other festival.

When is this function happening, also known as Dev Diwali?

Dev Diwali is observed on the night of the full moon, called Kartik Purnima, in the Hindu month of Kartik, 14 days after Diwali. The festival dawns with some rituals in the morning but gains a climax in the evening when approximately 1008 lamps are lit at the ghats of Varanasi.

Significance of Dev Diwali

Although Diwali is celebrated to symbolise the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after victory, Dev Diwali has an entirely different story to tell—the triumph of Lord Shiva over the demon called Tripurasura. It is said to be so spiritual that the gods decide to come to earth to take part in it since it marks their victory, making Dev Diwali a very special occasion.

Varanasi considered the place of Lord Shiva, provides people with a sense of spirituality and makes this place divine. It’s a time of adoration when devotees pray and light up lamps for blessings, wealth, and serenity.

Cultural differences and cultural practices or cultural values, as well as cultural expression, cultural markers, or even cultural identity.

Ganga Aarti on the Ghats: Dev Diwali mainly marks the grand Ganga Aarti that takes place at Varanasi, especially at Dashashwamedh Ghat. With precise choreography and movements, rites, chants, and ringing bells, priests input an otherworldliness into the proceedings, staying in traditional garbs.

The lighting of Diyas: Late in the evening, one sees a large population of diyas (oil lamps) lighting up the entire river frontage. The ghats are lit with diyas, put into the river, and even set afloat in boats to honour the river and gods. With the lights on tall and towering figures of ghats and a dark current of the river in the foreground, the scene looks nothing short of a fairy tale.

Processions and religious ceremonies: Devi Diwali is celebrated in numerous temples across Varanasi; Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most popular sites for this occasion. The festival arranges families and communities to sing religious songs and chant prayers to the deities and try to get their blessings.

A record-breaking celebration

Of all festivals, Varanasi had seen many records being set during Dev Diwali. The festival has even made it to the Guinness World Records recently due to the increased number of diyas lit in the evening. This year, over one million lamps celebrate the festival, and the colourful lights of the boats and the ghats have challenged the world record. This record-breaking appetite is one of the reasons why Dev Diwali has been such a great celebration where each year becomes bigger and more popular among the community.

If a diya lit is a prayer, every chant is an appeal to the gods, and every guest—be he native or a tourist—will leave feeling at ease. That is why for those who want to explore the spiritual aspect of India, there is no better time and place than Dev Diwali in Varanasi.