While Diwali is for us mere mortals, Dev Diwali is about gods coming down to earth on this day to celebrate the festival of lights.
Diwali is a beautiful festival of lights, and right after fifteen days of Diwali, people in India celebrate Dev Diwali. The auspicious day of Dev Diwali comes on Kartik Purnima day, and it starts with the Ekadashi tithi. Primarily the festival of Dev Diwali holds great importance in Varanasi city; however, it is celebrated with equal enthusiasm and faith in almost every state.
The common belief associated with Dev Diwali is about gods coming down to earth on this day to celebrate the festival of lights. Hindu mythology describes how all the gods from heaven arrived on the ghats of Kashi to celebrate Deepotsav with humans, which makes this day one of the most religiously pious days.
Another story behind the celebration of Dev Diwali is about Lord Shiv. On this bright day, Lord Shiv killed the demon Tripurasur and released all the gods from the trauma of his outrageous behavior. Therefore this day also celebrates the magnificent victory of Lord Shiv and his new title ‘Tripurari.’
All the ghats of Kashi become a beautiful tourist attraction on this day. Hundreds of clay lamps illuminate the whole location and create a serene spiritual environment. Rituals of Kartik Snan and offering oil lighted lamps are integral parts of this day. In addition to that, the celebration also includes holy Ganga aarti and funfairs to make this day worth experiencing.
Dev Diwali is also a time for celebration and socializing. Many people visit temples and holy sites, and there are often fireworks displays and cultural programs organized to mark the occasion. In addition to the religious significance of Dev Diwali, the festival is also an important cultural event in the region and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy.
So overall, Dev Diwali is a similar festival to Diwali, but it holds different significance and values. It is a more religious and dynamic festival that attains immense fervor and devotion from the devotees.
