Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by asoulwindow
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About Dev Deepawali in Varanasi
Dev Deepawali is celebrated in Varanasi aka Kashi. This ancient city derives its energy from the divine vibes of Augharh Shiva. On the ghats of the north streaming holy Ganga maa, crores of Gods descend and celebrate every once in a year! This is why, attending Dev Deepawali is one of the top things to do in Varanasi.
Things to do on Dev Deepawali in Varanasi
- Participate in the holy aarti at Dashashmev Ghat
- Witness the amazing spectacle on the ghats
- Do Kartik Snan
- Enjoy a boat ride in night
- Do a pooja on banks of Ganga Maa
- Take part in the last post ceremony by Indian Army
- Attend the Ganga Mahotsav
Dev Deepawali festival is celebrated in which Indian city
Each year, just after 15 days of most famous Hindu festival Deepawali, the holy ghats of Varanasi comes alive with the breathtaking sight of lakhs of diyas dotting the landscape of Kashi. These oil fueled mud lamps illuminate the holy ghats of Kashi, stretching all the way from Rajghat to Ravidas Ghat.
It creates a fairy tale like landscape not seen elsewhere in India, except for Deepawali Mahotsav in Ayodhya, also in Uttar Pradesh, my home state. It is for sure, a sight to behold! Dev Deepawali Varanasi is a must attend festival.
My visit during Dev Deepawali
I was born in Varanasi in Uphar Nursing home (established 1981) near Manduadih aka Maruadih. I have no memory of growing up in Varanasi though. My father who worked in UPPCL, soon got transferred to Panki Power House in Kanpur. Then we moved to cities like Prayagraj and Lucknow. Until I landed a job in Navi Mumbai and shifted there independently, followed by Ghaziabad near New Delhi.
My birthday falls on 21st November. Luckily Dev Deepawali too fell on the same day when I decided to visit. I wanted to reconnect to my roots by paying a visit to Varanasi during Dev Deepawali on my birthday. It was one of my most soulful experiences.
I arrived early morning via an overnight bus from Lucknow to Varanasi. I was amazed to see lakhs of people walking towards the ghats, from different parts of India. Most were walking in groups and had all their belongings rolled into a massive Gathri, balanced on their heads.
Why is Deepawali celebrated?
To clarify, Dev Deepawali and Deepawali or Diwali are not the same. Even though both are festival of lights, the reason for celebration of Dev Deepawali and Deepawali are different. Deepawali, the festival of lights is celebrated in different parts of India to commemorate victory of Shri Ram, over the demon king or asura Ravan.
Eons ago, Ravan had abducted Sita Mata, wife of Ram ji and held her hostage in Ashok Vatika in what is now the island country Sri Lanka. When Shri Ram, crossed over to Sri Lanka via Ram Setu near Dhanuskodi in India, he and his army waged a war against Ravan.
Shri Ram emerged victorious and to celebrate the victory of good over evil, his subjects gave him a grand welcome. To this date, people lit lamps across India to welcome Bhagwan Ram or Ramachandra ji.
Deepawali is celebrated on the Kartik Amavasya or the no moon night in the month of Kartik. This new moon Tithi is the darkest night of the year.
Why is Dev Deepawali celebrated in Varanasi?
First things first, Dev Deepawali is not a religious festival. It is more of Karthik Poornima which falls on the same day is what people celebrate since times immemorial. The tradition of lighting diyas and performing Aarti on the banks of Ganga in Kashi is a recent one.
Dev Deepawali Varanasi is more of the celebration of Hindu heritage, spirituality and culture. It is the representation of the beauty of Sanatan Dharm in all its glory! It is India in a nutshell!
There is an interesting story on why the grand celebration of Dev Deepawali takes place every year. Celebrated on the full moon of the lunar month of Karthik every year, Dev Deepawali is a major festival in many places such as Goa in West India.
Here is the interesting legend behind Dev Deepawali celebrations in Varanasi India. Divodas, the first King of Kashi had imposed a bizarre rule as per which Gods and Goddesses were not allowed in Kashi which was the original name of Banaras or Varanasi.
Kashi is the abode of Bhagwan Shiv. How could he be kept away from his home for long? Shiv ji, anyhow entered the holy city of Kashi in a disguised form. Divodas understood the mistake he committed and felt sorry immediately. He eventually relented and allowed entry for one and all in Varanasi.
Pleased, the Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu pantheon left no nooks and crannies of Varanasi unlit. Even now the ghats of Varanasi is illuminated with lakhs or diyas, deepaks or mud lamps.
Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is also celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasur which was a trio of asuras or demons. The 3 demons were brothers.On this auspicious day, Hindu pilgrims worship both Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu.
Hindus firmly believe that even today, crores of Hindu Gods and Goddesses descend to Varanasi to from Swarg (heaven) to celebrate Dev Deepawali. This is why Dev Diwali is celebrated with much enthusiasm every year in Varanasi. It is not for nothing that Banaras or Kashi is known as the heavenly abode of the Gods.
I observed, that the celebrations are marked with lighting mud lamps, doing a Ganga Aarti in grand style, busting firecrackers and taking out many processions carrying the local deities through the narrow streets and lanes of Varanasi. Dev Deepawali is one of the best things to do with family and kids.
Legends of Dev Deepawali in Kashi
There are many legends associated with why Dev Deepawali is celebrated in Varanasi. Some of the legends linked to Karthik Poornima are as following. As per some Hindu beliefs, Karthik Poonima is when the warrior son of Shiv Bhagwan, Kartikeya ji was born.
However, Kartik ji was actually born on Sashti Tithi or the 6th day of Shuklapaksha which falls 9 days before Kartika Poornima.
I have visited an entire temple dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, the elder son of Shiv ji in Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu.
Others hold the belief that on Kartik Poornima Vishnu Bhagwan manifested his first avatar, that is, Matsya avatar. What adds to the significance of Dev Diwali is the fact that Tulsi Vivah also happens on this day!
It is also said that Brahma Bhagwan, the creator awakes on Kartik Ekadashi while Shankar ji awakens on Kartik Chaturthi. I am sure you are enjoying reading these Dev Deepawali Varanasi stories.
Nomenclature of Dev Deepawali Varanasi
Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is also known as
- Tripurotsav in Varanasi
- Tripurari Purnima in Varanasi and the lesser-known Hindu belt of Goa.
- Festival of lights of the Gods
- Diwali of the Gods
It was on this day that Bhagwan Shiv had killed the asura or demon Tripurasura. This is why Kartik Poornima is celebrated to this date and is also known as Tripurotsav or Tripuri Purnima. Karthik Poornima is also spelt as Karthik Purnima. I have used these words interchangeably in the blog. Dev Deepavali in Varanasi is one of the best Hindu festivals of India.
Decoration on Ghats during Dev Deepawali Varanasi
I was mesmerized to see endless rows of 87 ghats of Varanasi, decorated with flickering mud lamps or diyas. Just close your eyes and imagine the sight of 7 kilometers of illuminated ghats reflecting in the pious Ganga River! I have never seen anything like this in India or anywhere else in world, except Ajodhya or Ayodhya, also in Uttar Pradesh.
It is a beautiful sight as the electric lights were switched off completely and only traditional diyas were lit. I noticed that Diyas during Dev Diwali are lit in beautiful fashion. I saw many lit diyas arranged in such a way that it forms the design of a bigger diya.
Another diya group was shaped like an Om sign and Swastik sign, both of which are sacred in Hinduism. Even the Hindu temples were decorated with mud lamps.
I highly recommend you to take a boat ride as well as a walk along the illuminated ghats. You can hire a boat to view this one of its kind of spectacle from a boat.
From a distance, it appears as if the earth is connected to the heaven above through these lit stairs. The tradition of lighting the ghats with mud lamps began way back in the year 1985 at the Panchganga Ghat. Narayani, a social worker along with local youth were the first ones to lit the diyas on the Panchganga Ghat of Ganga Maa. The tradition has been carried out sans a failure ever since.
What’s more? Even the regular people decorate their homes with lights, oil lamps and rangolis (colorful designs). Dev Deepavali in Varanasi is a visual delight!
Karthik Snan or Holy bath in Ganga Maa
Many Hindu devotees ensure to take a holy dip in the sacred river, Ganga Maiya, on the day of Dev Deepawali or Karthik Poornima as they believe that crores of Gods and Goddesses also take bath in Ganga River on the same day. Hindus also believe that by taking a holy dip in the Ganga maiyya, they attract prosperity and all their sins and bad karmas are washed away.
Much like the sentiments of Devprabodhini Ekadashi, Hindus also seek this opportunity to get rid of their inner demons. By taking a holy dip and participating in the festivities, Hindus get cleansed of their moh (attachment), pride, ego, lust, greed and anger, the major vices.
The holy bath taken on Dev Deepawali is also known as Karthik Snan or Tripurari Poornima Snan in Hindi. What follow next are a series of rituals and grand festivities that continue throughout the day and even after dark.
Isn’t it a beautiful thing about Sanatan Dharm that Maa Ganga or Ganga Maiyya, a sacred river is worshipped by crores of Hindus on this day! Assorted flowers, lit mud lamps, smell of incense stick uplifts the air, purifying it, even as qualified pujaris (priests) in their sartorial best chant the holy mantra (verses) from ancient Hindu scriptures.
Deepdaan during Dev Diwali
I also saw many Hindu pilgrims offering the dona (bowls made with dry leaves) to the river. Each dona contains fresh flower such as red rose, marigold, incense sticks and lamp. Sometimes just the earthen lamp is offered to the river.
On this auspicious day, thousands of earthen lamps are set afloat on the holly Ganga River by the Hindu pilgrims. It is magical to see thousands of mud lamps, lyrically floating on the gently flowing river.
This ritual of offering oil lighted lamps to Ganga ji is known as Deepdaan and I have seen Hindus doing it at other places such as Prayagraj and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand.
Soul Window Observations
Who would want to miss a chance to have bath with the divine? I had seen that as early as 4 a.m., people had flooded the narrow roads, alleys and streets of Varanasi with the sole intention of taking a holy bath on the ghats of Banaras.
Evening Ganga Aarti on Dev Diwali
I stood there in silence, sporadically jostling for space as the veteran singers sung beautiful renditions of classical songs and music on a stage that was fixed on both Ganga River and the steps of the pious Dashashwamedh Ghat.
It was followed by a beautiful and dramatic evening Ganga Aarti performed by ethnically dressed Indian men, clad in their sartorial best. The ceremonies of Aarti includes brazier burning, chanting ancient Vedic mantras, blowing conch shells, beating drums in pleasing rhythms, the works! It reminded me of the Aarti I saw in Ayodhya, Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and Pashupati Nath temple in Kathmandu in Nepal.
The evening aarti of Dashashwamedh Ghat in Banaras is performed by well-dressed 21 young Brahmin pujaris or priests accompanied by 24 young Hindu women. Dev Deepavali in Varanasi is spiritually uplifting!
Ganga Poojan Dev Diwali in Varanasi
Holy Ganga Maa or Mother Ganga, which is the longest river in India is worshipped by Hindu pilgrims on this day. You can see ceremonies of Ganga poojan which is worship of Ganga River happening on the ghats of Ganga ji.
I have also seen people offering Surya Namaskar or folding hands to the Sun God, early morning, while half submerged in the holt river. People wish Happy Dev Diwali to each other as they prepare to meditate on the banks of Ganga Maiyya.
Dev Deepawali Celebrations
Off late, thanks to the efforts of Indian Prime Minister Shri Naremdra Modi and Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath, the Dev Deepawali celebrations are celebrated on a grand scale in Varanasi. A mind boggling 15 lakh diyas or earthen lamps were lit up on the ghats and banks of Ganga Maa in Kashi.
Laser Shows
Off late, laser shows and electric lights are also displayed on a grand scale on the ghats on Varanasi during Dev Deepawali. It is a sight to behold. To enjoy the laser show and lighting of ghats, do not forget to book a boat ride. You will be able to see breathtaking panoramic views of the ghats.
The new laser light and sound show which began in 29th and 30th November, 2020 on the ghats of Kashi and Chet Singh Fort reminded me of the similar retelling of Ramayan through laser show in Ram Ki Pairi in Ayodhya, also in Uttar Pradesh. As many as a whopping 450 laser lights in 480 colors turned the holy ghats into a parallel world, fit for Gods.
Last Post Ceremony: Amar Jawan Jyoti
Not many people know about the poignant side of the Dev Deepawali celebrations in Varanasi. Dashashwamedh Ghat, which is located next to the nearby Rajendra Prasad Ghat, is the venue of parallel patriotic ceremonies.
Did you know that every year, during Dev Deepawali, wreaths are laid in honor of Indian Army martyrs who laid their lives in protection of their homeland India? I saw something similar in Canberra, the capital of Australia. The last post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra left me silent as well.
Ganga Seva Samiti has been organizing this ceremony at the Amar Jawan Jyoti on the Dashashwamedh Ghat, also the most important and popular ghat, since a long time. The traditional last post ceremony of Varanasi is performed in honor and remembrance of martyrs.
It is a poignant event which must be attended by one and all. The ceremony is performed by the three Indian armed forces namely Army, Navy and Air Force!
The closing ceremony includes conferring the Bhagirath Shourya Samman awards and lighting the sky lamps. Dev Diwali in Varanasiis a festival like no other!
The air of Varanasi reverberates with soulful bhajans, patriotic songs that make your chest swell with pride and hymns. The soul stirring Ganga Aarti, I observed, made it all the more magical. Did you know about this lesser-known fact about celebrations of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi?
The participants of the wreath laying ceremony include the police officials of the Varanasi District, personnel from the renowned Benares Hindu University (BHU), 95 CRPF battalion, 4 Air Force Selection Board and 7 UP battalion of NCC (naval) and 39 Gorkha Training Centre and so on.
Photography Tips for Dev Deepawali
Beware! Expect massive crowds on the day of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi. I had to jostle through a massive crowd so that I could secure my spot to watch the ceremonies and aarti peacefully. Another option is watching the ceremonies and aarti from a distance from a boat. However, reach early as even the boats jostle for the best vantage points to see aarti and take stunning shots.
Soul Window Travel Tips
A good idea is to arrive early for aarti, whether on Dashashwamedh ghat or boat. However, if you are unable to manage either of these, don’t lose heart! A simple walk along the illuminated ghats is no less magical! You will find many such exclusive travel tips on A Soul Window– one of the top travel blogs from India.
Where to Stay during Dev Deepawali in Varanasi?
I had taken an overnight bus from Lucknow and arrived early morning in Varanasi. I didn’t take a room. Instead, I took an ethereal early morning boat ride on Ganga ji, explored Varanasi ghats in the day and attended all the ceremonies in the evening and night. Same night, I left for Lucknow via an overnight bus.
During Dev Diwali in Varanasi, the best of the hotels will be full.
Entry Fees for Dev Deepawali
Unlike festivals in the transactional western nations, there is no entrance fee to attend Dev Deepawali. In fact, the annual festival of Dev Deepawali is one of the best free things to do in Varanasi. You can also take a free walking tour on the ghats on Varanasi in morning, afternoon or evening.
Ganga Mahotsav: Free thing to do in Varanasi
Did you know that you can enjoy the Ganga Mahotsava, another festival of Varanasi, as well if you plan your visit well? The Ganga Mahotsava is celebrated in the same month as Dev Deepawali! In fact, the last day of Ganga Mahotsav and Dev Deepawali falls on same day. This is another major tourist attraction you must attend in Varanasi.
Ganga Mahotsav shows the best of intangible cultural heritage of Varanasi over a span of 5 days.
The vibrant Ganga Mahotsava buzzes with various activities such as display of local martial arts. Whether it is a kushti match (Indian wrestling) that enthralls you or a country boat race fascinates you, there is something for everyone at the Ganga Mahotsav.
Ganga Mahotsav is also the time when the air of Kashi reverberates with the sounds of classical music performed by renowned artists. The soulful cultural song and dance performances by veterans is another highlight of Ganga Mahotsav.
You can also pick some interesting souvenirs and curios from the Shilp mela or the arts and crafts mela (fair). These stalls can be located anywhere from the lanes to the many ghats of Banaras. It is a good idea to include this cultural extravaganza with your plan to attend Dev Deepawali.
When: Ganga Mahotsav takes place every year between Prabodhani Ekadashi and Kartik Poornima. Prabodhani Ekadashi falls on the 11th lunar day of the Hindu month of Kartik. This tourist centric festival is celebrated over 5 days.
You will get to experience 2 Hindu festivals if you time your visit to Banaras. To club both Dev Deepawali in Varanasi and Ganga Mahotsav you must plan well in advance so that you don’t face any last-minute disappointments.
Kartik Poornima in Jainism
I have a Jain friend who told me that Jains consider Kartik Poornima auspicious as well. Lord Rishabh, who was the 1st Jain Tirthankara and the founder of Jain religion, sanctified the Shatrunjay hills of Palitana, the beautiful temple town of Bhavnagar in Gujrat in West India on Karthik Poornima. In fact, Rishabh ji also gave his first sermon on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima.
Ever since, lakhs and crores of holy men aka sadhu and sadhvis have achieved salvation on these sacred hills of Gujarat. Every devout Jain, at least once in their lives, wishes to pay a visit to Palitana on Kartik Purnima. It is not an easy journey though. It involves a walk of 216 kms to perform the holy Shri Shantrunjay Teerth Yatra.
Soul Window Observations
I noticed the similarities in Hinduism and its off-shoot Jainism during my trip to Kailash Mansaovar Yatra in Tibet via Nepal. Both Hindus as well as Jains, (apart from Bons and Buddhists) consider Kailash Parbat as sacred. Do read my blogs on the road trip to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the journey of a lifetime!
Kartik Poornima in Sikhism
The Sikhs across the globe, celebrate Karthik Poornima as Gurupoorab/Gurupurab which is also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti or the Prakash Utsav or Prakash Parva. Shri Guru Nanak was the first Gurus of Sikhs. Though originally Guru Nanak was born on 14th April, a full moon night, Nanakpanthi Hindus and few other sects celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak on Kartik Purnima.
I saw the Prakash Utsav festivities on a grand scale near the Golden Temple, on the roads of Amritsar in Punjab. The Gurupurab festivities are marked with processions, display of traditional Sikh martial arts, special langars, music and dance, discourses and recital of teachings, chanting holy hymns, community service, the works! Needless to say, the Gurudwaras are decorated beautifully in colorful lights on Guru Purnima.
Best Time for Dev Deepawali
Dev Diwali is celebrated during Kartik, which is the 7th month as per the ancient Hindu calendar. Ekadashi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha is when the festivities of Dev Diwali begin in full festive fervor. It ends at Poornima Tithi or the 5th day which is also the full moon night! In fact, it is considered auspicious to see the full moon on this day.
Much like most big and small Hindu festivals, every year the date of Dev Deepawali in the Gregorian calendar is different. You can check the date from Panchang, the Hindu calendar. The dates for Ganga Mahotsav and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi are also announced on the website of Uttar Pradesh Tourism department.
Alternatively, you can also cross verify with a local guide in Banaras or a tour and travel agency. As per the Gregorian calendar, the festivals fall in the winters months which is November or December.
The Dev Diwali Puja (prayers) takes places during the Pradosh Kaal. The Shubh Muhurat to perform the Pooja varies. The 3 hours long Pooja falls somewhere between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Also check out for the Purnima Tithi which changes every year!
Plan a trip to Varanasi soon if you want to see millions of oil lighted mud lamps. Dev Diwali in Varanasiis an offbeat thing to do in Varanasi.
How many days to spend in Varanasi for Dev Deepawali?
I had taken an overnight rickety bus from Lucknow to arrive at Varanasi as early as 4-5 a.m. I enjoyed whole day in Varanasi and boarded another overnight bus to Lucknow in the night. Though the festivities of Dev Deepawali last for only one day, I recommend to stay in Varanasi for at least 2-3 days because there are so many other interesting things to do in Varanasi.
Toilet facility during Dev Deepawali
Clean and well-maintained public toilets are built right on the ghats of Varanasi. However, expect extra crowds on the day of festivals like Dev Deepawali. Alternatively, you can use the toilet of your hotel too, in case you have booked one of the lovely hotels located on the ghat.
How to reach Varanasi for Dev Deepawali
Attending Dev Diwali in Varanasiis easy!Varanasi airport and railway station are well connected with all the major cities of India.
If you want to attend Dev Deepawali in Varanasi you can take a train or flight from various big and small cities in India.
By Bus: I attended Dev Diwali in Varanasi via an overnight bus from my former city Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. I had easily got a bus to Varanasi even though I had booked a bus at last minute.
The issue was that I got the worst seat on a rickety bus but since I was on a low budget, I better not complained. It was uncomfortable for sure. It was surely an uncomfortable bus ride. I slept on the last seat when everyone left midway.
The bus was so shaky that I fell on the floor of bus as I was sleeping. And the bus was still moving! However, you do not have to go through the torture! You can book an air-conditioned Volvo bus which offer comfortable seats. Comfortable buses to Varanasi are available from Lucknow, Jaunpur, Prayagraj, Mathura, New Delhi, Agra and Kanpur etc.
By Road Trip: You can do a road trip to Varanasi from nearby places such as Lucknow, Jaunpur, Prayagraj and even New Delhi and Gurugram.
By Air: Varanasi has its own airport which is connected with most of the major cities of India.
By Train: Varanasi railway junction is well connected with several big and small cities of India.
Soul Window Tips
It is advised to book your train or flight tickets well in advance because the demand is more than supply during the festival weeks. Also, the flight tickets become pricier and it is hard to find decent rooms and rail tickets.
Where to stay in Varanasi for Dev Deepawali
Varanasi is a pretty vibrant city. Plenty of accommodations options are available in Banaras aka Varanasi. From a well-appointed home-stay to cool hostels to even up-market luxurious 5-star hotels and boutique hotels, there is something for everyone in Varanasi.
Is Varanasi Safe during Dev Deepawali?
Varanasi is very safe for travel, whether you are traveling solo or in group. During Ganga Mahotsav and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, expect the streets and ghats of Varanasi to be thronged by lakhs and crores of Hindu pilgrims. Though, intensive security arrangements are made by the local police and Government, you must stay cautious for personal safety as well.
As many as 1 lakh or 1,00,000 people attend Dev Deepawali festivities. They come from as near as the city of Varanasi and nearby Indian villages and as far as European and American nations.
Soul Window Safety Tips
I had secured a spot at the super crowded Dashashmev Ghat much before the evening aarti began. I had taken a leak and consumed less water so that I am able to stick to my place for a long time. I was traveling solo in Varanasi on a low budget so I had my limitations.
It is easy to get pickpocketed in such a crowded space, be it India or Italy or even USA. I kept all my valuables such as wallet, mobile phones, chargers, lenses etc in a day pack and hung the chain side on my stomach so that I had better control and see if anyone is trying to zip open my bag.
Vegan and vegetarian food in Varanasi
Vegan and vegetarian food is easily available in plenty in Varanasi. During Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, you can sample a plethora of local food. Since I visited in winters, I had binged on the choora-matar at Kashi Chat Bhandar. You will find many such useful information at A Soul Window – the number one blog on travel in India.
Solo Trip Tips for Dev Deepawali
I had attended Dev Deepawali as a solo budget traveler. Varanasi is a well developed modern Indian city where all the modern amenities are available. It is an apt destination for solo travelers like myself.
Backpacking Budget Travel Tips for Dev Deepawali
Backpacking is very easy in Varanasi as most of the places to visit in Varanasi costs nothing. Yes, most of the major attractions of Varanasi and sightseeing places do not have an entrance fee. This makes Varanasi a backpacker’s dream come true.
Luxury travel Tips for Dev Diwali
It is easy to indulge in a bit of luxury in Varanasi. Many tastefully done up luxury hotels are located right on the ghat of Varanasi. Varanasi also has many upscale restaurants and entertainment areas. You can also book a personal vehicle easily in Varanasi for an extra cost.
Conclusion on Dev Deepawali in Varanasi
It is high time Hindus across the globe reclaim their heritage and take pride in who they are! Year of vicious Western colonization and Islamic attacks made Hindus apologetic of their own culture and spirituality. Festivals like Dev Deepawali are important to make us see who we were, what we have become and where we were heading!
The new Kashi Vishwanath Corridor which connects the ghats with the holy Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas is a new attraction in Varanasi. Attending Dev Diwali in Varanasi is a once in a lifetime experience!
The view from my Soul Window is shining bright!
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