Dev Diwali or Dev Deepawali is a Hindu festival observed in the Hindu month of ‘Kartik’, celebrated with great pomp and show in the Indian city of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh. Dev Diwali is the ‘Festival of Lights of the Gods’ and falls on the Kartik Purnima (full moon day), fifteen days after the celebrations of Diwali. It corresponds to the month of November-December in the Gregorian calendar.
This religious ceremony is started by chanting of the holy Vedic mantras by the priests, lighting diyas at the ghats and the sparkling of fire crackers, to welcome and please the Gods and Goddesses.
On the occasion of Dev Diwali, all the ghats of River Ganga is lighted with thousands of diyas and crowded with pilgrims. This utsav is celebrated every year in the holy city of Varanasi. The festivities can also be witnessed in Gujarat and other northern states of India. In the Indian state of Maharashtra, Dev Diwali is observed on the first day of the month of ‘Margashirsh’. Dev Diwali is commemorated to honour the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon named ‘Tripurasur’. For this reason, this festival is also known as ‘Tripurotsav’. The festival of Dev Diwali coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanti and Jain light festival.
Rituals of Dev Diwali:
The main ritual of Dev Diwali is the lighting of diyas after seeing the moon. The steps of every ghats of River Ganga, right from southernmost Ravidas Ghat to Rajghat, are illuminated with millions of diyas lit in honour of Goddess Ganga and other presiding devas.
The devotees get up early on the day of Dev Diwali and perform the ‘Kartik snan’, that is a ritual of taking a dip in the holy Ganges). They perform ‘deepdan’ (offering oil lamps) in the honour of Goddess Ganga. Following this ‘Ganga aarti’ is performed by 24 Brahmin Priests along with 24 girls, with full devotion.
On this occasion of Dev Diwali, people decorate their houses with oil lamps. Colourful designs or rangoli are made on the front doors. In several houses in Varanasi, ‘Akhand Ramayana’ is organized along with offering bhogs.
In the evening, on the streets of Varanasi, huge processions of beautifully decorated deities are taken out with full enthusiasm. The night sky is lit up with the lights of the firecrackers. After the event, dance performances and cultural programmes by famous personalities of Varanasi also takes place.
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On your arrival at Varanasi airport/ railway station meet our representative and transfer to hotel, on arrival at hotel proceed with check in formalities, after some rest meet your driver at the hotel lobby and proceed to Sarnath, 10km from Varanasi, where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modem temple. The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dhamek stupas are outstanding. There are also the remains of a monastery, and the beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka. Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi .
Early morning visit Assi Ghat for Subah-e-Banaras and enjoy sunrise on boat. Later proceed on a half day temple city tour of Varanasi visiting, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Banaras Hindu University, Baba Kinaram Sthal. Banaras Hindu University. BHU is the largest residential universities in Asia, with over 35,000 students. Where to see New Kashi Vishwanath Temple . In evening visit Ghat for boat ride followed by Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat and you also enjoy Dev-Diwali festival. Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Then drop you at Varanasi Airport for Homeward Journey.
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