Dev Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights of the Gods, is celebrated in Kashi (Varanasi) fifteen days after Diwali during Kartik Purnima. On this sacred night, millions of lamps illuminate the ghats of the Ganga as devotees honor Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and the river goddess. The festival marks divine awakening, spiritual renewal, and the triumph of devotion, making it one of India’s most revered celebrations.
Every year, as the chill of autumn meets the glow of countless diyas, Kashi transforms into a living heaven. The sacred ghats of the Ganga come alive with shimmering lights, soulful chants, and the scent of devotion in the air. This is Dev Deepawali, the festival when gods themselves are believed to descend to earth, joining devotees in celebrating Bhakti, purity, and the triumph of divine light.
From the first-revered Ganesha, the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, to Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Tulsi, and even one of Mahabharata’s heroes Bhishma are evoked and celebrated in Kartik Maah. The best of Kartik’s festivities in India can be experienced in the home of Shiva, Kashi, celebrated fifteen days after Diwali, Dev Deepawali in Kashi marks the spiritual climax of Kartik month, uniting tale, ritual, and cosmic beauty into one breathtaking spectacle.
The ghats of holy Ganga are enlightened with thousands of Diyas, rituals of devotees taking a dip in the water, and folk songs that fill the air with a feeling of bliss. In this blog, we take you to celebrations of Dev Deepawali in the abode of Mahadeva, where gods and goddesses descend to take part in the mesmerizing festivals.
Dev Deepawali, also known as the Festival of Lights of the Gods, is celebrated in Kashi (Varanasi) fifteen days after Diwali, on the full moon night of Kartik Purnima. According to Hindu belief, this is the day when the gods descend to the ghats of the Ganga to celebrate the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
During this sacred night, the entire stretch of the Ganga ghats glows with millions of earthen lamps (diyas), creating a breathtaking spectacle that mirrors heaven on earth. Devotees take holy dips in the Ganga, offer prayers to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Ganga, and participate in rituals, bhajans, and aarti ceremonies.
The festival holds immense spiritual and cultural significance blending mythological devotion, ecological reverence, and human expression of gratitude toward divine light. For locals, Dev Deepawali marks the spiritual culmination of the Kartik month, when the city of Kashi becomes the meeting ground of the divine and the mortal.
The month of Kartik (October–November) holds a revered place in the Hindu calendar. It is considered a spiritual bridge between Diwali and Dev Deepawali, a time when nature shifts from autumn warmth to winter’s cool stillness. In Hindu tradition, the periods of change always coincide with phases of vrata, festivals, and austerities.
Hindus believe that fasting, meditation, and ritual bathing during such periods is to keep the body and mind cleansed so that the ill effects of seasonal changes do not affect the people observing the rules of the festivals. This is why Kartik is often called the month of divine discipline, where restraint and devotion align with the rhythms of nature.
Part of Kartik Mahatmya contains several ritual observances known as vrata (fasts) and niyam (spiritual rules). In Kartik, these observances help devotees maintain inner balance and gratitude while preparing for renewal. The daily practices include:
🔸Ganga Snan (ritual bathing) at sunrise to cleanse the body, karma, and mind of impurities.
🔸Lighting diyas in the morning and evening to invite purity and divine blessings
🔸Offering tulsi leaves and prayers to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi
🔸Listening to Kartik Mahatmya katha from the Puranas for spiritual merit
These rituals symbolize letting go of ignorance and preparing to receive divine light culminating in the celestial celebration of Dev Deepawali.
In the Puranas such as Padma Purana and Skanda Purana, dedicate entire chapters to Kartik Mahatmya, the “Glory of Kartik.” These texts praise this month as the most sacred period for charity, pilgrimage, and austerity. They describe how even the smallest act of devotion during Kartik lighting a lamp, offering a prayer, or helping others yields manifold spiritual rewards.
In Kashi, devotees traditionally recite the Kartik Mahatmya throughout the month as part of their daily worship. It serves as a reminder that enlightenment is achieved in isolation, through sustained acts of faith, compassion, and surrender.
Kartik in Keshvadasa’ Baramasa Poetry
The writings of poet Keshvdasa in his “Kavipriya” describe the beauty of nature and the human environment during the twelve months of the calendar, which has been expressed in art as “Baramasa” (bara- twelve, masa- months). Describing the month of Kartik, Keshvdas writes-
“Forest and gardens, rivers and lakes, the earth and the heavens,
all are shining bright as if lit by a million lamps.
The days and nights are full of joy, and couples are gambling.
The walls and courtyards in every home have paintings of the gods.
The universe is pervaded with celestial light, all men and women are gay with love.
This is the month for alms-giving, worship of God, and sacred baths.”
In the Kartik Baramasa, Keshavdas portrays this month as a time of divine reunion, purity, and reflection. His verses paint vivid scenes of temples glowing with oil lamps, women offering prayers at dawn, and devotees bathing in sacred rivers under the silver light of the full moon.
This poetic expression mirrors the same philosophy that defines Kashi: the fusion of bhakti (devotion), shakti (energy), and prakriti (nature). Through his words, Kartik month becomes a spiritual emotion, where devotion transforms into poetry and human longing merges with divine grace.
The sacred celebration of Dev Deepawali in Kashi spans several spiritually significant days in the month of Kartik, each carrying a unique story and divine symbolism. The rituals of Kartik for these five days are collectively also remembered as “Bhishma-Panchak Vrat” because Bhishma Pitamah is believed to have completed the vrat to attain Moksha or liberation.
These rituals together lead up to the grand illumination on Kartik Purnima, making Kashi a living embodiment of faith and light. In these five days, there are ritual observances, but there are some days that mark the high point of this sacred celebration.
Dev Uthani Ekadashi, also known as Prabodhini Ekadashi, the first day of the festivities in Kashi is for awaking Lord Vishnu, who is believed to be in Yoga-nidra for four months known as Chaturmas. On this day, devotees believe the gods awaken from their divine rest, and auspicious ceremonies resume across temples and homes.
In Kashi, temples resonate with Vishnu Sahasranama chants, and devotees observe fasts, symbolizing spiritual renewal. This day sets the tone for the sacred events that follow, leading to Tulsi Vivah and the illumination of Dev Deepawali. This day is also known as Devotthan, which means waking the god.
Tulsi Vivah, celebrated on the day after Dev Uthani Ekadashi, the union of goddess Tulsi or Vrinda with her aaradhya (deity) Sri Vishnu is an occasion for celebrating devotion. Commemorates the divine marriage of Tulsi (the holy basil plant) to Lord Vishnu, often worshipped in the form of Shaligram. It signifies the union of devotion (bhakti) and divinity (paramatma).
Homes and temples across Kashi are decorated like wedding venues, complete with rituals, music, and offerings. It’s believed that performing Tulsi Vivah brings blessings of harmony, prosperity, and spiritual elevation. Blessings of Maa Ganga, Shiva, goddess Annapurna, and Surya Deva are sought during these rituals. The ceremony also marks the official start of the Hindu wedding season.
Once the marriage ceremonies are completed, Devi Tulsi goes to her home, where she is treated with food and other offerings, and the local practice of Gauna (taking the bride to the home of the groom) takes place with a beautiful celebration. In the Vaishnava belief and Hinduism in general, Devi Tulsi is the bestower of Moksha (liberation), purity, and health, and her union with Sri Hari announces that a period of supreme auspiciousness has begun.
On Yogeshwara Dwadashi, Lord Vishnu, in his form as Yogeshwara, is believed to visit Vrindavan to meet Lord Krishna and witness divine love in its purest form. Some devotees also celebrate this day as the wedding day of Lakshmi and Vishnu with the performance of daana (donation) to Brahmanas, fasting, lighting diyas, and reciting the katha or story of Yogeshwara Dwadashi.
Devotees perform bhajans, meditations, and Gita recitations, invoking inner balance and peace. In Kashi, this day bridges the devotional energy of Tulsi Vivah with the upcoming celebration of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, deepening the spiritual rhythm of the Kartik fortnight.
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi holds a unique place in the heart of Kashi. It celebrates the divine bond between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, where Vishnu offers a thousand lotuses to Shiva as a gesture of devotion. As per the description of the Shiva Purana, when one lotus goes missing, Vishnu plucks out his own eye to complete the offering, earning the title Kamal Nayan (Lotus-Eyed One), readied himself to offer one of his eyes to Shiva, seeing which, Mahadeva appeared and bestowed the Sudarshana chakra to Sri Hari.
At the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple, devotees witness joint worship (Hari-Hara Milan), symbolizing unity beyond sectarian devotion. It’s one of the most spiritually charged nights before Dev Deepawali, radiating peace and divine oneness.
The grand culmination of the Kartik month, Kartik Purnima, celebrates Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura, marking the triumph of light over darkness. On this full moon night, the gods descend to Kashi to witness the illumination of the ghats with countless lamps, the event known as Dev Deepawali.
Pilgrims bathe in the Ganga, perform Deep Daan, and offer prayers of gratitude and renewal. The city glows with divine radiance, reflecting the belief that when lamps light up Kashi, even the heavens pause to gaze.
26" Tripurantaka Shiva In Brass
The grand celebration of Dev Deepawali 2026 in Kashi (Varanasi) spans multiple spiritually rich days, beginning with Dev Uthani Ekadashi and culminating on Kartik Purnima. The entire fortnight glows with divine rituals, temple ceremonies, and Ganga Aarti, drawing devotees and travelers from around the world.
Here’s the key Dev Deepawali 2026 festival calendar for reference:
☀ Devutthana Ekadashi: 20th, 21st November 2026 Friday / शुक्रवार, Saturday / शनिवार - Awakening of Lord Vishnu
☀ Tulasi Vivah: 21st November 2026 Saturday / शनिवार - Divine wedding of Tulsi and Vishnu
☀ Yogeshwara Dwadashi: 21st November 2026 Saturday / शनिवार - Vishnu’s symbolic visit to Vrindavan
☀ Pradosh Vrat: 22nd November 2026 Sunday / रविवार
☀ Vaikuntha Chaturdashi: 21st November 2026 Saturday / शनिवार - Vishnu’s lotus offering to Shiva
☀ Dev Deepawali / Kartik Purnima: 24th November 2026 Tuesday / मंगलवार - Shiva’s triumph and divine illumination
The dates may vary slightly in different calendars, but the rituals and the celebratory spirit of devotees remain the same. Each day builds toward Kartik Purnima, when the Ganga ghats glow with over a million lamps, symbolizing the descent of divine light on Earth.
The festivals of Kartik Puja also roughly coincide with the Ganga Mahotsava, a formalized celebration in the city of Kashi, where stories of Puranas, folk songs, local arts and crafts, and devotees from across the globe are welcomed with open arms.
As twilight deepens, the ghats resonate with Ganga Aarti, where priests in saffron robes perform synchronized rituals with lamps, conch shells, and chants of “Har Har Gange”. The sound of bells merges with the river’s rhythm, creating a spiritual resonance that transcends the senses.
Experiencing Dev Deepawali in Kashi is an unforgettable blend of faith, art, and light. Whether you’re a pilgrim or traveler, the event offers both spiritual depth and cultural spectacle.
🔸Ideal Dates (2026): November 20–25
🔸Peak Day: November 24 (Dev Deepawali Night)
🔸Arrival: Arrive at least 2 days before to avoid crowd congestion.
🔸Stay: Book accommodations near Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, or Rajghat.
🔸Pro Tip: Take a boat ride at sunset for the best panoramic view of the illuminated ghats.
The main Aarti and Deep Daan ceremonies take place at:
🔸Dashashwamedh Ghat – Central and most grand Aarti
🔸Assi Ghat – Perfect for morning rituals and cultural programs
🔸Panchganga and Rajghat – Quieter, more spiritual ambiance
🔸Evening Aarti: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (approx.)
🔸Deep Daan: Begins post-Aarti, continuing until midnight
Dev Deepawali marks the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. It’s believed that on this day, deities descend to the Ganga to witness the lighting of lamps by devotees along the ghats of Kashi.
Dev Deepawali is celebrated on the full moon night (Purnima) of the Kartik month, fifteen days after Diwali usually in November. In 2026, it will be observed on 24th November (Tuesday).
Varanasi, or Kashi, is considered the abode of Lord Shiva. Scriptures say that the gods themselves come to the city to bathe in the Ganga on this sacred night, making Kashi the divine stage of Dev Deepawali.
Millions of earthen lamps (diyas) illuminate over 80 ghats of the Ganga. Devotees perform Ganga Snan, Deep Daan, and witness the grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh and Assi Ghats, accompanied by chants, music, and spiritual performances.
Dev Deepawali is the culmination of Kartik month, a sacred period for fasting, charity, and devotion. The festival represents the completion of spiritual discipline and the awakening of divine energy within.
Key rituals include:
🔸Ganga Snan (ritual bath)
🔸Lighting of diyas (Deep Daan)
🔸Tulsi Vivah (marriage of Tulsi and Vishnu)
🔸Dev Uthani Ekadashi and Vaikuntha Chaturdashi observances
🔸Charity and Bhajan-Kirtan
Each symbolizes faith, renewal, and gratitude to the divine.
While Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama and victory of good over evil, Dev Deepawali celebrates Lord Shiva’s triumph and the descent of gods to Earth. Diwali is a household festival, while Dev Deepawali transforms entire Kashi into a celestial vision of light.
Yes. In fact, Dev Deepawali is one of the best times to visit Varanasi. Tourists can witness illuminated ghats, spiritual performances, and local traditions. Early bookings are recommended due to high demand during the festival.
Lighting diyas symbolizes dispelling darkness and ignorance while inviting divine light and wisdom. Each diya represents a prayer for peace, prosperity, and liberation (moksha).
The Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat are the most iconic locations to experience Dev Deepawali. River cruises on the Ganga also offer a panoramic view of the illuminated city.
Dev Deepawali overlaps with festivals like Ganga Mahotsav, Tulsi Vivah, and Vaikuntha Chaturdashi all forming part of Kartik’s sacred festivities in Kashi.
Dev Deepawali in Kashi is a festival of spiritual awakening that reminds humanity of the eternal rhythm between light and darkness, faith and doubt, creation and dissolution. When countless diyas shimmer upon the sacred Ganga, they illuminate more than the river; they light up the inner consciousness of all who behold them.
The journey from Kartik’s austerity to Dev Deepawali’s radiance mirrors the soul’s transformation from discipline to enlightenment. Each lamp lit on the ghats of Kashi becomes a symbol of hope, purity, and divine connection.
In essence, Dev Deepawali unites devotion, art, and ecology inviting us to see the divine not as distant, but as living through every flicker of light, every breath of wind, and every ripple upon the Ganga. It’s where faith finds form, and light becomes prayer.
Sources-
1. Shiva Purana
2. Padma Purana
3. The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism
4. A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism
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