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When Gods descended on earth, the devotees
marked Dev Deepavali
by Girish Kumar Dubey

     Varanasi: The Ghats of Varanasi came alive recently when thousands of Hindu devotees lit lakhs earthen lamps on the banks of River Ganges to mark Dev Deepavali, a festival which is celebrated two weeks after Diwali, the festival of lights. Celebrated on the occasion of Kartik Poornima (full moon day), Dev Deepavali holds as much importance as Diwali does to the religious minded people in Varanasi. And, on Sunday, a large number of people of all age groups visited River Ganges banks to commemorate it with religious fervour. The special festival was also a big draw for a large number of visitors and tourists who attended the celebrations organised as per Indian tradition. Narrating the experience on Dev Deepavali, many tourists said the celebration felt as if it's a welcome for the Gods descending on earth. "Earlier, we had only heard of Dev Deepavali but today we have witnessed it personally for the first time. The whole scene gives a feeling of having arrived in heaven," said Bimmi, a visitor. "It seems, as if, all the Gods have descended from heaven. It is very different from the Diwali that we celebrate and the astonishing experience is beyond my _expression," said Hariprasad Agarwal, another visitor.

    Much like Diwali, many youngsters burst firecrackers after lighting the earthen lamps. But the biggest draw was Goddess Ganga's evening prayer, Ganga Arti, in which everyone present there on the auspicious occasion participated. On the eve of Kartik Purnima, the number of pilgrims begins to increase manifolds and most of the pilgrims camp by the riverside. In the evening, pilgrims and local people decorate the entire riverbank with tiny earthen lamps. These lamps are lit as a mark of welcome to the Gods as they descend on earth. The little sparks of fire flicker elegantly and is a wonderful sight to watch. The Ganga Aarti is an important event of the evening. Almost all Ghats organise their own ceremony. Huge lamps are set ablaze and the priest holds forth the lamp as the multitude chants the hymns. Legend has it Lord Shiva had killed a demon king Bipurasur on this day and Gods celebrated the victory. It is believed that the gods descended on earth and celebrated Dev Deepavali.
-Nov 7, 2006