Dev Diwali 2025: A Spectacular Confluence of Devotion, Light, and Faith

Today, the entire country is immersed in the colors of devotion, faith, and light, as the festival of "Dev Diwali" is being celebrated. This festival, which falls exactly 15 days after Diwali, is not just a celebration but a symbol of faith and spiritual energy. It is also called the Diwali of the Gods, as it is believed that on this day the gods themselves descend to earth and light lamps on the banks of the Ganges. (Dev Diwali 2025 celebration India)

Prime Minister Modi extended his best wishes

On this auspicious occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to the countrymen on Dev Diwali  and Kartik Purnima. He wrote on the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter), "On Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all my family members across the country. May this divine occasion, steeped in Indian culture and spirituality, bring happiness, peace, health and good fortune in everyone's life. May our sacred traditions of holy bath, charity, aarti and puja illuminate everyone's life."

Celebrating Divinity in Kashi

The view of Kashi today is truly captivating. The entire city is aglow with the light of lamps—from the ghats to the temples, streets, and homes—everywhere presents a wonderful vision of divinity. The reflection of the lamps on the banks of the Ganges seems to become an aarti to Mother Ganga. Devotees immerse themselves in the worship of Lord Shiva and Vishnu and purify their lives through the offering of lamps. It is believed that offering lamps on this day liberates one from sins and bestows good fortune, wealth, and salvation.

As the sun sets, millions of lamps lit along the Ganges River fill the city with golden light. The atmosphere resounds with the sound of aarti, the blowing of conch shells, and chants of "Har Har Mahadev" at every ghat. Devotees from far and wide participate in this divine event by donating lamps.

The flame of devotion also shone in Sonbhadra

A similar scene is being witnessed in Ghorawal town of Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, where Dev Diwali is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. This time, the Dashmihwa and Thanhawa ponds have been decorated with 5,100 lamps. Ganga Aarti and Shiv Bhasma Aarti will be held from 8 pm onwards. Following this, artists will perform the Shiva Tandava dance and mythological tableaux, including the Shiva-Parvati marriage, Mahishasura Vadh, and Hanuman Leela. Mahaprasad will be distributed at the end of the program. (Dev Diwali festival Varanasi ghats)

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The Legend of Dev Diwali

According to mythology, there's an interesting story behind Dev Diwali, which is why this day is also known as Tripurari Purnima. So let's learn about the legend of Dev Diwali...
According to the legend recounted in the Shiva Purana, a demon named Tripurasura was extremely powerful. It is said that the demon Tarakasura had three sons: Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali. Together, these three sons formed the Tripurasura demon. Their extraordinary power and arrogance posed a threat to the gods. When Lord Kartikeya killed Tarakasura, his three sons, driven by austerities in the fire of vengeance, appeased Lord Brahma. Brahma asked them to ask for any boon, except immortality. They cleverly asked for a boon that was almost as good as immortality. They demanded that their deaths be possible only when all three were in a single line, during the Abhilit Nakshatra, and someone could kill them with a single arrow. Lord Brahma accepted this boon. After this, Tripurasura created terror in all three worlds – gods, sages and humans were all afflicted by his atrocities. (Dev Diwali lights and lamps celebration)

When the atrocities reached their peak, the gods sought refuge in Lord Shiva. Mahadev resolved to destroy Tripurasura. He made the earth his chariot, the sun and moon its wheels, Mount Meru his bow, and the serpent Vasuki his bowstring. Lord Vishnu himself became the arrow. As the time of Abhijit Nakshatra arrived, Lord Shiva killed all three Tripurasuras—Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali—with a single arrow. It is said that after this victory, the gods celebrated by lighting lamps, and since then, the tradition of celebrating 'Dev Deepawali' on the full moon day of Kartika began. This festival symbolizes the victory of light when Lord Shiva vanquished both darkness and ego. 

Association with Kartik Purnima

Along with Diwali, Kartik Purnima is also celebrated. Special prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Tulsi, and Lord Shiva on this day. Bathing, donating, and lighting lamps are considered the greatest virtuous acts on this day.

The confluence of light and devotion

Dev Diwali is not just a festival, but an opportunity to enlighten the soul. It reminds us that the true light is one that dispels the darkness within and spreads light into the lives of others. (Dev Diwali bhakti and devotion)

The glittering streets of Kashi, the lamps floating on the Ganga and the echo of Aarti – the scene of Dev Diwali is truly as if the gods have descended on earth.

FAQs

Question 1. When is Dev Diwali celebrated?

Answer: Dev Diwali is celebrated on the full moon day of Kartik month, which falls about 15 days after Diwali.

Question 2. What is the significance of Dev Diwali?

Answer: This festival is celebrated with the worship of Lord Shiva and other deities and is considered a symbol of devotion through lighting lamps on the banks of the Ganga, singing hymns and performing religious rituals.

Question 3. Where is Dev Diwali mainly celebrated?

Answer: It is mainly celebrated in Varanasi and other major religious places, where thousands of lamps are lit on the banks of the Ganges.

Question 4. What customs are followed on this day?

Answer: On this day people light lamps, worship in temples, sing hymns and participate in religious rituals.

Question 5. What is the spiritual message of Dev Diwali?

Answer: This festival symbolizes devotion, faith, light and positive energy and promotes unity, social harmony and spiritual awareness in the society.