Every year, Dev Diwali is celebrated with great splendour all over India, especially in Varanasi. This year it will be celebrated on 18th November 2021. Learn more about this festival by reading here!
According to the Hindu Lunar calendar, Dev Diwali or Dev Deepawali is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Kartik. It is celebrated fifteen days after the festival of Diwali. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls in November or December. Kartik Purnima also coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanti and the Jain light festival.
The auspicious date and time for Dev Diwali 2021 are given below.
Dev Diwali- 18th November 2021 (Thursday)
Pradosh Kaal Dev Deepavali Timing - 05:09 PM to 07:47 PM
Purnima Tithi (Starts) - 12:00 PM on 18th November 2021
Purnima Tithi (Ends) - 02:26 PM on 19th November 2021
Significance of Dev Diwali
Dev Diwali is considered to be the 'festival of lights of the Gods'. As the name implies, Dev Diwali is the Diwali or Deepawali of the Gods (Devas). Devotees believe that the Gods and Goddesses descend on Earth to take a bath in the river Ganga on this occasion. All the ghats of Ganga are lit with thousands of earthen diyas (lamps) and crowded with pilgrims.
The occasion of Dev Diwali is celebrated in a grand manner in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. However, it is celebrated with great pomp, spiritual fervour, and enthusiasm in the holy Indian city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
Dev Diwali is a revered festival commemorated every year to honour the triumph of the divine Lord Shiva over the demon named 'Tripurasur'. Devotees celebrate the power of Lord Shiva during the festival of Kartik Purnima. According to the legend, it is believed that Lord Shiva killed the demon Tripusara on this day. Therefore, Dev Deepawali is also known as 'Tripurotsav' or 'Tripurari Purnima', which is observed on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima. Besides the religious significance, the festival also commemorates the brave martyrs who lost their lives fighting for the country.
Bhajans and patriotic songs are sung on this day. Along with this, wreaths are offered as a remembrance and recognition for our brave soldiers. On this occasion, the 'Bhartiya Shourya Samman' awards are also given. On the auspicious occasion of Dev Diwali, devotees take a dip in the holy Ganges on Kartik Purnima. There is also a unique tradition of lighting earthen lamps or diyas in the evening. So, on this day at dusk, all the ghats and steps on the riverfront of the Ganges are lit with thousands of diyas. Besides the ghats of the Ganges, the temples of Varanasi are also illuminated with throngs of diyas. During this occasion, Varanasi turns into one of the most glorious attractions and devotees from all over the country flock over to the town to witness this breathtaking sight.
Dev Diwali: Rituals and Traditions
Here are the rituals associated with this occasion.
On this day, devotees should take a bath in the river Ganga. They can also take a bath at home by adding Gangajal to the water. Then the devotee should change into fresh clothes.
After this, devotees should worship Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Ganesha. Set their idols and decorate the place of worship with yellow flowers. Also, light a lamp in front of the deities.
Worship Lord Shiva in the evening as well. But before that, make sure to take a bath again and wear clean clothes. After that, anoint the idol of Lord Shiva or Shiva Linga with water, raw milk, honey, curd, ghee and Panchamrit. Offer him flowers, sandalwood, ghee, naivedya, deepak (lamps), incense sticks, belpatra, etc.
Offer the divine deity betel nuts, betel leaves, dakshina, and fruits.
Conclude the Puja by performing Aarti.
In the evening, the devotees should go to the Ghat of river Ganga and light a lamp. If you cannot go there, then you should go to a temple and light a lamp. Lamps should also be lit in the place of worship and at home.
Priests begin the religious festival of Dev Diwali by chanting the holy Vedic mantras and lighting diyas at the ghats. There is also a sparkling display of firecrackers to welcome and please the Gods and Goddesses. The most important ritual performed by devotees is the 'Kartik snan', in which devotees take a dip early in the morning in the holy water of the River Ganges. Taking a dip in the sacred water is believed to bring salvation to the devotees. Along with this, donating a lamp (diya or deep), known as 'deepdan', on this day also has special significance. Doing this ensures that the gods will bestow their grace and blessings on you.
A five-day grand celebration of Ganga Mahotsav, starting from Prabodhani Ekadashi to Kartik Poornima, is also observed by devotees. All the ghats of Ganga, from Varuna to Assi, are decorated with diyas and colourful floral rangolis on the eve of Kartik Poornima. The festivities of Ganga Mahotsav is also held at Dashashwamedh Ghat (the famous Ganges ghat in Varanasi), where crowds of Hindu devotees visit during this period. The 'Ganga Aarti' is also performed in the evening with enormous lamps, and 21 Brahmin priests perform it along with 24 girls with complete devotion.
The traditional ritual of 'deepdan' is still practised today wherein the devotees offer thousands of diyas (earthen lamps) to the Gods and Goddesses and float them in the holy water of the Ganges. Devotees even decorate their houses with diyas and colourful rangoli to celebrate the festival.
Thus, this occasion is highly revered by devotees.
If you want to learn more about this auspicious occasion or have any astrology-related questions, reach out to Astroyogi astrologers.
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