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Dev Deepavali: Varanasi Lights up to Celebrations!

By Shruthi

Time and again, Varanasi lives upto the tag of 'the mystical land' attributed to India. This ancient city of Banaras or Kashi as it was known is one of the oldest of Indian cities. With temples, ghats, ascetics, and the ever-flowing river, Varanasi is sometimes known to be more Indian than most other Indian cities. Foreign tourism thrives here for this very reason!

Dev Deepavali is the Diwali of Gods observed on Kartik Poornima or the full moon day. The holy city of Varanasi lights up to Diwali celebrations in honour of River Ganga and Kashi Vishwanath in particular. Dev Deepavali is held on the final day of the grand Ganga Mahotsav. About a million earthen lamps or diyas are set afloat along the river. The evening Ganga aarti is more pronounced than ever during this time! It could be said that the spectacle of Varanasi easily turns all doubters into believers!

The aroma filled 84 ghats echo chantings of the holy scriptures that transport you to a different realm altogether. Here's what Dev Deepavali promises...

Dev Deepavali Mahotsav, Organized!

Dev Deepavali Mahotsav, Organized!

Uttar Pradesh Tourism organizes Dev Deepavali with great pain and pleasure. The event calls for tourists from world over. Staying options and commute avails are facilitated by the acting committee.

Glowing Ghats!

Glowing Ghats!

The ghats are filled with diyas and is an absolute treat to onlookers. The custom is said to have started quite recently given the rich history of Varanasi. Devotees make a wish and light a lamp in loving respect of Mother Ganga.

Ganga Aarti: Grand, Grander, Grandest!

Ganga Aarti: Grand, Grander, Grandest!

The Ganga Mahotsav is the main event at Varanasi. The celestial aarti takes place on all five days with the final day marking Dev Deepavali.

A Salute to Martyrdom!

A Salute to Martyrdom!

At the Dasashwamedh Ghat, while the Ganga aarti is on the go, police personnels and Army officials lay wreaths to the martyrs at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. It seems as though all the noise in the background is a perfectly harmonized eulogy to the great souls of yesterday.

Soul Ushering Chants!

Soul Ushering Chants!

Along with incense sticks lit during the celebrations, sacred chants are echoed through the length and breadth of the 84 ghats. It is an experience that words always try to match but often fail at.

Kartik Snan, Sin Management!

Kartik Snan, Sin Management!

On the full moon day, the day of Dev Deepavali, it is said that a dip in the holy river is all it takes to wash away a lifetimes' sins. How you wonder? Well, the catch is that it actually takes more than a dip. It takes faith.

Culture Reverberates!

Culture Reverberates!

The best of arts and crafts is provided a great platform during Dev Deepavali. It is often described as a window to Indian arts for global tourists. With craft fairs and classical music-dance performances, the festival offers a bright view!

Festive Flavours!

Festive Flavours!

Every celebration in India is similar yet different. Each festival has a flavour of its own and yet borrows from each other. The music, lights, colours overlap. Dev Deepavali is a celebration like all other but none like it.

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