On the night of Diwali, a friend of mine with whom I play cricket told me that in his hometown, they would celebrate another Diwali fifteen days later. I was very intrigued and wanted to know more, because most of us know Diwali, the great Festival of Lights, but what if I told you the gods themselves hold an even grander celebration just fifteen days later?
Welcome to Dev Deepavali, literally the “Diwali of the Gods.” This spectacular festival is celebrated not during the traditional month of Ashwin, but on the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartika (Kartika Purnima), turning the ancient city of Varanasi (Kashi) into a breathtaking canvas of light.
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A Million Lamps on the Ganga Ghats
The heart of Dev Deepavali lies on the sacred banks of the River Ganga. On this single night, the steps of all the ghats(river steps) along the Ganga are illuminated with well over a million tiny, earthen lamps, or diyas. This ocean of fire is lit to honour Ganga Ji (Mother Ganga) and the divine guests who visit the city.
The belief that powers this massive display is beautifully simple: on this holy night, the gods descend to Earth from the heavens to bathe in the purifying waters of the Ganga. The lamps lit by devotees are a divine welcome, a pathway of light for the celestial visitors.
But why do the Gods descend to the sacred city of Varanasi on this day? Is there a reason or legend in the Puranas? Well, there are two legends as per beliefs, and both are linked to Mahadeva Shiva. Let us know each of them.
Legend 1: Shiva’s Victory and Tripura Purnima
While the modern public festival in its current form only dates back to 1985, the tradition it honours is ancient. The festival is also known as Tripura Purnima, and one powerful legend explains why.
This story marks a great victory of good over evil. The legend says that Dev Deepavali commemorates the day Lord Shiva vanquished the three demonic cities, known collectively as Tripura. By destroying these aerial cities, Shiva restored balance to the universe.
The rows of lamps lit today are a symbolic remembrance of this triumph, marking the moment light and righteousness prevailed.
Legend 2: The Return of the Gods to Kashi
Another beautiful and lesser-known legend ties the festival directly to the city of Varanasi itself, known as Kashi.
Once, Kashi was ruled by the righteous King Divodasa. He was such an upright and just ruler that he received a boon, but it came with a difficult condition: no god, not even Lord Shiva, could enter the city as long as Divodasa was king. The gods were exiled from their beloved spiritual capital.
Though great, Divodasa’s rule eventually had to end. The story tells of how the clever Lord Ganesha, disguised as a humble Brahmin, gently persuaded the king to invite Shiva back to Kashi.
When the ban was finally lifted and the gods were allowed to return, their joy knew no bounds. They returned to Kashi and, in their sheer delight, they lit up the entire city’s waterfront with rows upon rows of lamps.
This celestial celebration—the divine homecoming of the gods to Kashi—is the beautiful event we continue to honour as Dev Deepavali.
A Ritual of Light and Honour
Whether you honour Shiva’s victory over Tripura or celebrate the gods’ joyous return to Kashi, Dev Deepavali is a humbling sight. It is a moment to connect with the deep roots of Indian Puranas, seeing a million small flames reflecting the eternal light of the divine in the waters of the Ganga.
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