Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended greetings to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepavali.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “I extend my warmest greetings to all my family members across the country on Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepavali. May this divine occasion, rooted in Indian culture and spirituality, bring happiness, peace, health, and good fortune to everyone. May our sacred traditions of holy bathing, charity, aarti, and worship illuminate everyone’s lives.”
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also extended his wishes on X, saying,
“Heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of the state and the country on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima. May this sacred day bring happiness, peace, and prosperity to all.”
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi conveyed his greetings as well, writing,
“On this auspicious Dev Deepawali, I extend my warm greetings to everyone. May the divine light of this sacred day dispel darkness and fill every life with peace, prosperity, and spiritual joy.”
Dev Deepawali, one of the most revered Hindu festivals, is celebrated with devotion and grandeur across India. Observed on Kartik Purnima, it marks the day when the Gods are believed to descend to Earth to celebrate Diwali. The festival is celebrated most magnificently in Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva, in Uttar Pradesh.
On this day, the ghats of the Ganga in Varanasi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and other sacred sites are illuminated with thousands of earthen lamps (diyas). Devotees take holy dips in the Ganga River, offer prayers, perform aarti, and participate in rituals to honour the river and the deities.
The term Dev Deepavali literally means “the Diwali of the Gods.” It is dedicated to all deities, particularly the Holy Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva). The festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, carrying deep spiritual significance among Hindus.
In Varanasi, the ghats – especially Dashashwamedh, Assi, and Rajendra Prasad – are transformed into celestial landscapes. From Ravidas Ghat to Raj Ghat, millions of diyas illuminate the riverbanks as priests chant Vedic hymns and devotees float lamps on the sacred waters. The Ganga glows with divine radiance, and many believe that the river becomes especially sanctified on this night, capable of cleansing lifetimes of sins and karma.
(With IANS inputs)