Dev Deepavali 2025: When The Gods Come To Earth!

If Diwali is the festival for humans, Dev Diwali is the divine version, a time when the deities are believed to descend from heaven to bathe in the holy Ganga River. Read more about the Dev Deepavali 2025 celebration below!

Dev Deepavali 2025 Dates and Timings 

• 2025 Dev Diwali Date: 5th November, 2025 (Wednesday)
• 2025 Dev Diwali Muhurat: 05:15 PM to 07:50 PM

What is Dev Deepavali?

Dev Diwali means ‘Diwali of the Gods’. The people celebrate the festival in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The festival derives its name from people lighting millions of earthen lamps (diyas) on the ghats of Varanasi.

Moreover, on the full moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik, people light more than a million earthen lamps on the ghats along the riverfront of the Ganges River. The glittering lights brighten the river, reflecting its glow in the waters. 

Furthermore, the spiritual event is a sight to behold. As the moon rises, the lights from the lamps make the river shimmer and glow. In Dev Diwali Varanasi, the gods descend to Earth on this day to bathe in the Ganges. Hence, the ghats are spectacularly decorated to welcome the gods. 

Significance of Dev Diwali

At Dev Diwali 2025, wait for the fireworks to light up the sky above the Ganga ghats in Varanasi, adding to the festive cheer. If you’re in North India around this time, be sure to witness the celebrations. 

• For Hindus, Dev Deepavali 2025 holds great religious significance. On this day, the Gods awaken from their sleep and travel to Earth. 
• Dipping in the Ganges on Dev Diwali can wash away sins and bring prosperity.
• This festival is an opportunity to strengthen your connection with the divine.
• The day signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.
• People offer puja to the Gods and pray for prosperity, happiness and peace.
• Dev Diwali is indeed an extension of the Diwali festivities. Though not as popular as Diwali, Dev Diwali is celebrated with equal enthusiasm, especially in the holy city of Varanasi.

The Story Behind Dev Diwali

The origins of Dev Diwali are rooted in powerful stories from Hindu scriptures. Let’s read about them below:

1. The Triumph of Tripurantaka: Lord Shiva’s Victory 

The most prominent story linked to Dev Diwali is the victory of Lord Shiva over a powerful group of demons known as the Tripurasura.

According to the legend, three demon brothers, Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali, performed intense penance to Lord Brahma and gained a boon. This boon allowed them to construct three floating cities, made of gold, silver, and iron. 

These cities could only be destroyed by a single arrow hitting all three at a precise, momentary alignment. Empowered by this invincibility, the demons began to wreak havoc across the three worlds.

Fearing destruction, the gods approached Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva took the form of Tripurantaka, the Destroyer of the Triple City. He used Mount Meru as his bow, Vasuki as his string, and Lord Vishnu became the arrow.

On the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima, when the three cities aligned perfectly, Lord Shiva fired a single, devastating arrow, destroying the Tripura and killing the demon brothers.

Ganga Mahotsav 2025: Celebrating Dev Diwali in Varanasi

The holiest city in India, Varanasi, celebrates Dev Diwali in significant ways, including the Ganga Aarti and a boat ride in the Kashi Ganga river. Other spiritual additions also enhance the day, making it more memorable.

1. The Ganga Aarti 

The spectacular Ganga Aarti takes place every evening at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. The riverfront comes alive with divas, flowers and chanting of hymns as priests worship the Ganges with fire and prayers.

2. Boat Rides

You can participate in the aarti or watch the ceremony from the ghats or a boat on the river. Witnessing this breathtaking scene of the river glow while floating in the Ganges is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

3. Cultural Performances

The festival also features vibrant cultural performances like folk dances from different states of India. Renowned artists from all over India come to Varanasi during this time to showcase their talent.

4. Handicraft fair

Artisans from different parts of India set up stalls along the ghats to display and sell a variety of handicrafts, textiles, accessories, etc. This is an excellent opportunity for visitors to buy traditional Indian handicrafts.

Dev Diwali Rituals (Pooja Vidhi)

The Dev Deepavali festival involves some important rituals and poojas to worship the holy river Ganges. 

• People wake up early and take a holy bath in the Ganges River, called Kartik Snan. 
• People offer prayers and puja to the Gods at home and in temples.
• People light diyas and candles all around the house and in temples to signify the victory of light over darkness.
• People make Dev Diwali Rangoli patterns at the entrance of homes using coloured powder, rice, or flower petals.
• Once all is set, offerings and Vedic mantras are chanted. It begins with worshipping and offering flowers to Lord Ganesha, while also paying homage to Lord Shiva’s family and incarnations.
• Diyas, or earthen lamps, are offered to 45 young girls and 21 Brahmins, called the Deepdaan.
• Next, organisers hold the Akhand Ramayan (reciting the sacred scripture of Ramayan).
• Afterwards, they serve food called Bhoj to everyone on the ghats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Also Read: Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: History and Significance of Gurupurab

For interesting Astrological Facts and Videos, follow us on Instagram and read your daily horoscope.