Dev Deepawali – Varanasi Marks Kartik Purnima with Diyas and Riverfront Festivities
Varanasi. The holy city of Varanasi is celebrating Dev Deepawali also known as the Festival of Lights, with grand festivities on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lit the first lamp at Namo Ghat, marking the beginning of the celebrations.
Around 25 lakh lamps are being lit along the 84 ghats of the Ganga River. The Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh has arranged 15 lakh lamps, while the remaining 10 lakh were prepared by local committees and residents of Kashi.
This year’s celebration at Dashashwamedh Ghat is based on the theme of Operation Sindoor. People from more than 40 countries are participating in the celebrations in the city.
Dev Deepawali symbolises the triumph of light over darkness. Dev Deepawali, means ‘the Diwali of the Gods’. It is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, on Full Moon night, fifteen days after Diwali. According to the belief, it marks the day when the gods descend to Earth to bathe in the sacred river Ganga.
On this night, Varanasi truly becomes Kashi- the City of Light, as numerous diyas send a glowing message of welcome to the gods, while fascinating every soul who witnesses this union of faith and beauty. Dev Deepawali is rooted in the legend of Tripurasura’s destruction, when Lord Shiva defeated the demon and was hailed as Tripurari.
Ras Purnima Celebrated Across West Bengal
Today marks the sacred occasion of Ras Purnima, celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm across West Bengal. Ras Jatra Utsavs are being organised at several prominent locations, including Nabadwip, Mayapur, and Shantipur in Nadia district, the Madan Mohan Mandir in Coochbehar district, and the Shyam Sunder Mandir and Kasipur Rajbati in North 24 Parganas district.
Mandirs have been decorated with flowers, adding vibrancy to the spiritual celebrations. Melas have also been organised in these places. Coochbehar’s Madan Mohan Mandir Ras Utsav and mela is 213 years old. Here, a 15-day-long mela has been organised starting from today.
