Kartik, beginning in October and ending in November, has been hailed in Hindu tradition and scriptures as the month of the divine. From the first-revered Ganesha, the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, to Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Tulsi, and even one of Mahabharata’s heroes Bhishma are evoked and celebrated in Kartik Maah. The best of Kartik’s festivities in India can be experienced in the home of Shiva, Kashi, where a five-day festival known as “Dev Deepawali” or the Deepawali of the Gods is celebrated with enthusiasm unseen anywhere else.
The ghats of holy Ganga are enlightened with thousands of Diyas, rituals of devotees taking a dip in the water, and folk songs that fill the air with a feeling of bliss. In this blog, we take you to celebrations of Dev Deepawali in the abode of Mahadeva, where gods and goddesses descend to take part in the mesmerizing festivals.
The period from October to November or Kartik Maas/Maah, is a time of change in seasons. Autumn arrives with winter and its chilled airs following close. In Hindu tradition, the periods of change always coincide with phases of vrata, festivals, and austerities. The logic behind fasting and prayers during such periods is to keep the body and mind cleansed so that the ill effects of seasonal changes do not affect the people observing the rules of the festivals.
In the Puranas such as Padma Purana and Skanda Purana, sections are devoted to Kartik month's praises, known as “Kartik Mahatmya”. During this month, many Hindu households in Kashi and across India recite this section of the Puranas as a part of their regular worship. Part of Kartik Mahatmya contains several ritual observances known as vrata and niyam (rules) to be followed during this time.
The key niyam during Kartik is- Ganga snan (bathing in the Ganges), to cleanse the body and the mind of impurities and prepare oneself for welcoming gods and goddesses.
The writings of poet Keshvdasa in his “Kavipriya” describe the beauty of nature and the human environment during the twelve months of the calendar, which has been expressed in art as “Baramasa” (bara- twelve, masa- months). Describing the month of Kartik, Keshvdas writes-
“Forest and gardens, rivers and lakes, the earth and the heavens,
all are shining bright as if lit by a million lamps.
The days and nights are full of joy, and couples are gambling.
The walls and courtyards in every home have paintings of the gods.
The universe is pervaded with celestial light, all men and women are gay with love.
This is the month for alms-giving, worship of God, and sacred baths.”
With Nature preparing herself with a beautiful environment and the human realm readied for the welcome of gods and goddesses, the heavenly celebrations of Dev Deepawali commence fifteen days after Diwali. The rituals of Kartik for these five days are collectively also remembered as “Bhishma-Panchak Vrat” because Bhishma Pitamah is believed to have completed the vrat to attain Moksha or liberation. In these five days, there are ritual observances, but there are some days that mark the high point of this sacred celebration.
Dev Uthani Ekadashi- The first day of the festivities in Kashi is for awaking Lord Vishnu, who is believed to be in Yoga-nidra for four months. The banks of the Ganga are flocked by devotees who decorate the ground with auspicious patterns and lamps, temples are filled with ritual chants, and homes and public places come to life with local religious songs in which gods and goddesses approach Vishnu one by one, urging him to rise from his sleep. This day is also known as Dev-Prabodhini Ekadashi or Devotthan, all of which means- waking the god.
Tulsi Vivah- For the residents of Kashi, the union of goddess Tulsi or Vrinda with her aaradhya (deity) Sri Vishnu is an occasion for celebrating devotion. Locally, Vishnu and Tulsi’s wedding is celebrated as the marriage between Krishna as Shaligram and the holy plant of Tulsi. The rituals start on a heart-warming note of waking Krishna with Bhajans and stories of Puranas, with the different stages of his life- from childhood to adulthood performed and celebrated. Blessings of Ganga, Shiva, goddess Annapurna, and Surya Deva are sought during these rituals. As Krishna reaches adulthood, devotees prepare the Mandapa for marriage rituals.
Once the marriage ceremonies are completed, Devi Tulsi goes to her home, where she is treated with food and other offerings, and the local practice of Gauna (taking the bride to the home of the groom) takes place with a beautiful celebration. In the Vaishnava belief and Hinduism in general, Devi Tulsi is the bestower of Moksha (liberation), purity, and health, and her union with Sri Hari announces that a period of supreme auspiciousness has begun.
Yogeshwara Dwadashi- According to legends, on this day Sri Vishnu, his consort goddess Lakshmi, and the creator Bhagwan Brahma pay a visit to Vrindavan. Some devotees also celebrate this day as the wedding day of Lakshmi and Vishnu with the performance of daana (donation) to Brahmanas, fasting, lighting diyas, and reciting the katha or story of Yogeshwara Dwadashi.
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi- Continuing the series of Puranic legends coming to life, the day of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is in remembrance of Vishnu’s visit to Kashi, where he performed the worship of Kashipati Mahadeva. Offering prayers to Shiva, Vishnu also offered him one lotus with each hymn. As per the description of the Shiva Purana, Vishnu discovered that the last, thousandth lotus was missing. Showing the zenith of devotion, Kamala-Nayana (he whose eyes are like a lotus flower) Vishnu, readied himself to offer one of his eyes to Shiva, seeing which, Mahadeva appeared and bestowed the Sudarshana chakra to Sri Hari.
Kartik Purnima or Tripuri Purnima- The sacred pages of the Shiva Purana and several other Mahapuranas narrate the story of Shiva annihilating the Tripuras, the three cities of demons, and becoming Tripurantaka- the destroyer of Tripura. Revering the might of Shiva and his victory, the occasion is annually celebrated as Tripuri Purnima, in which the festivities culminate. It is also known as Dev Deepawali, during which the city of Kashi is bathed in the lights of innumerable lamps, making it look no less than the city of Indra.
26" Tripurantaka Shiva In Brass
In 2023, the days of Kartik festivities will begin with Dev-Utthan Ekadashi, is falling on 23rd November, followed by Tulsi Vivah on 24th November. Yogeshwara Dwadashi is to be celebrated on 24th November as well. Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is to be observed on 25th November and Kartik Purnima is on 26th November. The dates may vary slightly in different calendars, but the rituals and the celebratory spirit of devotees remain the same.
The festivals of Kartik Puja also roughly coincide with the Ganga Mahotsava, a formalized celebration in the city of Kashi, where stories of Puranas, folk songs, local arts and crafts, and devotees from across the globe are welcomed with open arms.
A rare and exhilarating experience of lamps, powerful chants, and mystique of devotion, Dev Deepawali of Kashi is not only the most awaited time for the people of Kashi but also for the gods and goddesses that reside in the uncountable shrines on the banks of Maa Ganga. A glimmering gem in the string of light that begins with Diwali, Dev Deepawali symbolizes the bond that India has with its gods- personal yet otherworldly.
1. When is Dev Deepawali celebrated?
Ans. Dev Deepawali is celebrated every year, 15 days after the festivities of Diwali.
2. What is the difference between Deepawali and Dev Deepawali?
Ans. Deepawali is the festival of light dedicated to the return of Sri Rama to Ayodhya, celebrated annually, along with Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja, followed by Govardhana and Bhai Dooj. Dev Deepawali is the name of the five-day festival, celebrated after Diwali in the month of Kartik, which includes- Dev Utthan, Tulsi Vivah, Tripuri Purnima etc.
3. When is Dev Deepawali in 2023?
Ans. Dev Deepawali in 2023 is starting on 23 November, with Dev Utthan, and ends on 27 November.
4. When is Tulsi Vivah in 2023?
Ans. Tulsi Vivah in 2023 is to be celebrated on November 24.
5. Which city is Dev Deepawali celebrated in?
Ans- Though all of India celebrates the five days of Dev Deepawali in different ways, Varanasi or Kashi is the city in which Dev Deepawali is celebrated with marvelous zest and devotion.
6. What is Tripuri Purnima?
Ans- Tripuri Purnima is the festival in remembrance of Shiva’s Tripurantaka form, in which he vanquished the three cities (Tripuri) designed by demon Mayasura.
Sources-
1. Shiva Purana
2. Padma Purana
3. The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism
4. A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism
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