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Dev Diwali Significance: The festival of Dev Diwali is celebrated every year on Kartik Purnima. On this day the gods themselves come to earth and celebrate Diwali.
4 November, 2025
Dev Diwali Significance: The festival of Dev Diwali is celebrated every year on Kartik Purnima. A wonderful scene is seen in Kashi on Dev Diwali. On this day the city of Kashi sparkles with lamps. Lakhs of lamps are lit simultaneously at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat. Ganga Aarti, bhajans, conch shells and firecrackers fill the entire atmosphere with devotion. According to religious beliefs, on this day the gods themselves come to earth and celebrate Diwali, hence it is called Dev Diwali. Its mythological story is related to Lord Shiva and the demon Tripurasura.
Story of Dev Diwali
According to mythology, in the Mahabharata, the demon Tarakasura had three sons – Tarakaksh, Kamalaksh and Vidyunmali. These three together were known as Tripurasura. When Lord Kartikeya killed Tarakasura, his three sons decided to take revenge from the gods. He performed severe penance to please Lord Brahma and asked for a boon that he would die only in extremely difficult circumstances when all three stars were aligned, Abhijit Nakshatra was present, and when someone killed him with a single arrow. Brahma gave him this boon.
After this, the three demons created terror in all the three worlds. Troubled, all the gods went to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva resolved to kill Tripurasura. He made the Earth his chariot, the Sun and the Moon his wheels, Mount Meru his bow and Vasuki Naga his string and by making Lord Vishnu his arrow, Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura with a single arrow.
Gods celebrated Diwali
Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura on the day of Kartik Purnima. On this occasion, the gods celebrated Diwali by lighting lamps in Kashi. Since then this day is called Dev Diwali. Due to the killing of Tripurasura, Lord Shiva is also called Tripurari and this day is also known as Tripurari Purnima.
Religious beliefs on Dev Diwali
Taking bath in Ganga on Dev Diwali has special significance. It is believed that on this day the gods descend from heaven to take a bath in the Ganga. By taking bath in Ganga on this day, one attains virtues like gods and all sins are washed away. On this day people donate lamps and worship Lord Shiva and Mother Ganga. Bhajans and kirtans are performed in temples on this day.
