Dev Diwali is celebrated with a whole lot of pomp and grandeur every year, especially in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Gujarat. Dev Diwali is considered as the Diwali of the Gods. It is also known as Dev Deepavali. On this auspicious occasion, we celebrate the triumph of Lord Shiva against the evil demon Tripurasura. It is believed that Lord Shiva defeated the demon on this day, and thus, Dev Diwali is also known as Tripura Utsav. Dev Diwali is one of the largest festivals celebrated in Varanasi.
Dev Diwali 2023 Date
Dev Diwali is celebrated on Purnima Tithi of the month of Kartik. According to Drik Panchang, this year Dev Diwali falls on November 26. Purnima Tithi will begin at 15:53 PM on November 26 and will end at 14:45 PM on November 27.
Dev Diwali Significance
Dev Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura. It is believed that Lord Shiva defeated Tripurasura on the full moon day of the Kartik month. This festival honors Lord Shiva's victory over three demons Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha, and Viryavana, known as Tripurasura. Lord Shiva, in the form of Tripurari, shot them with a single arrow, bringing back happiness. Some people also celebrate Dev Diwali as the birth anniversary of Lord Karthik, the God of War, and the day when Lord Vishnu took his first incarnation as "Matsya." In addition to its religious importance, Dev Diwali in Varanasi is also patriotic. It remembers the Indian armed forces' martyrs who fought for the country.
According to Hindu mythology, on the auspicious day of Dev Diwali, the gods and the goddesses come down to earth to take a dip in the holy waters of the river Ganges. The ghats of Varanasi are decorated and lit with diya to pay respect to all the gods and goddesses. In the celebration of the triumph of Lord Shiva, people decorate their homes with rangoli and oil lamps. The Ganga Aarti on Dev Diwali is one of the main attractions of the festival. 24 priests and 24 young girls perform the Ganga Aarti with utmost devotion on this day. Pilgrims visit Varanasi during this time to pay their respects. Firecrackers decorate the sky and processions are taken out. People also indulge in devotional songs and dance throughout the night.
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