- By Dr Sadhana Kala
- Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Each year on Kartik Purnima, as twilight envelops the holy city of Varanasi, the sacred Ganga transforms into a ribbon of fire - the air hums with mantras, conch shells echo, and a million diyas shimmer along the riverbanks.
This is Dev Diwali, the “Festival of the Gods,” when it is said that the heavens descend upon Kashi. The celebration represents a moment where faith and light converge - a union that defines India’s spiritual identity.
“On Dev Diwali, the Ganga doesn’t just reflect light - she reflects devotion.”
The Legend Behind Dev Diwali
Dev Diwali is celebrated fifteen days after Diwali and commemorates Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura. This triumph symbolises the eternal victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
According to the Skanda Purana, the occasion is the night when the Devas descend to Kashi to worship Lord Shiva. Thus, the name: Dev Deepawali - the Diwali of the Gods.
Lighting diyas on the Ganga during Dev Diwali night in Varanasi (Image Credits: Canva)
Varanasi: The Heart Of The Celebration
No other city embodies Diwali quite like Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India.
At dusk, the Ganga Aarti begins. Priests in saffron robes move in synchronised rhythms, their brass lamps illuminating the night as chants fill the air. The ghats glow with earthen lamps, while boats glide silently across the river, carrying both pilgrims and photographers.
“To see the Ganga illuminated by countless diyas is to glimpse eternity reflected on water.”
Beyond Ritual: The Festival’s Deeper Meaning
While Dev Diwali dazzles with spectacle, its spiritual resonance runs deep. Each diya symbolizes a spark of self-awareness—the inner light that dispels ignorance.
For Buddhists, this day marks Lord Buddha’s descent from heaven after enlightening his mother. For Jains, it commemorates Lord Mahavira’s attainment of nirvana.
Thus, Dev Diwali transcends religious boundaries, becoming a festival of liberation and illumination for all beings.
A Festival Of Community And Continuity
In the weeks leading up to Diwali, the people of Varanasi prepare as if welcoming divine guests. They scrub the ghats clean, adorn temples with marigolds, and repaint their homes. Artisans craft earthen diyas, while children learn to arrange them into intricate mandalas.
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department organises cultural performances, laser shows, and heritage parades that blend ancient devotion with modern creativity.
“Dev Diwali is not just seen - it is felt in every chant, every flame, and every heartbeat.”
A New Dawn: Sustainability And The Sacred
With millions of diyas floating on the Ganga, the scale of the festival has sparked an environmental awakening.
Local communities and volunteers now promote:
- Biodegradable diyas are made from clay and cow dung.
- Natural oils instead of chemical-based wax
- Clean-up drives after the celebration to preserve the purity of the Ganga
This growing eco-consciousness reflects the festival’s core message: living in harmony with both the divine and the natural world.
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“Lighting a diya is sacred. Keeping the river pure is divine.”
Dev Diwali In The Digital Age
Technology has given Dev Diwali new wings. Drones capture breathtaking aerial shots of illuminated ghats, while livestreams allow millions around the world to participate in the celebration.
Social media hashtags like #DevDiwali2025, #KashiInLight, and #GangaAarti trend globally, spreading India’s spiritual glow to every corner of the internet.
Every diya carries a story — of faith, of hope, of an unbroken bond with the divine (Image Credits: Canva)
Economic Ripples Of A Spiritual Tide
Beyond faith, Diwali drives the local economy of Varanasi. Potters, weavers, and vendors earn their most significant incomes of the year. Hotels and river cruises are booked months in advance, and souvenir markets bustle late into the night.
The festival sustains livelihoods while strengthening India’s spiritual tourism ecosystem—a blend of devotion, culture, and commerce.
“For Varanasi, light is not just a symbol—it’s a livelihood.”
Global Celebrations Of Dev Diwali
Indian communities across London, New Jersey, Dubai, and Singapore now recreate Dev Diwali along their local rivers, proving that the light of Varanasi travels far beyond India’s borders.
Each celebration, no matter how distant, carries the same message: faith unites, light endures.
The Stillness After The Flame
As the night deepens and the chants fade, diyas drift away on the river—small flames surrendering to the current.
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For those who take a moment to watch, it becomes a time of pure reflection. Each diya carries a wish, a memory, and a whisper of gratitude.
In that silence, one comes to realise that the same flame that flickered thousands of years ago still burns today.
Why Dev Diwali Matters in 2025
In an age filled with distractions, Dev Diwali invites us to pause—to rediscover awe, gratitude, and the quiet strength of faith.
The festival reminds us that the light we seek resides within us.
“Light is not meant to be seen. It is meant to be shared.”
Epilogue: The Eternal Flame
Experiencing Diwali in Varanasi is akin to touching eternity. It is a moment where myth intertwines with modernity, where the divine continues to linger by the river’s edge.
As dawn rises and the last flame fades, one truth remains timeless—the gods may return to the heavens, but the light they leave behind continues to guide us all.
(Note: Dr (Prof) Sadhana Kala is a USA-trained robotic & laparoscopic surgeon, Uppsala University, Sweden, trained fertility specialist, Icon Endoscopic Surgeon of North India, and National Icon Endoscopic Surgeon of India. She is rated as India's Best Gynecologist by Google.)
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author.)