- Photo: SNS
NEW DELHI: On Dev Deepawali, when the entire Kashi bathes in the light of lamps on the banks of the Ganges, the city will once again showcase a glimpse of “Mini India”.
This year, during Dev Deepawali, slated for Nov 5, the ghats of Varanasi will be illuminated not only by religious faith but also by India’s cultural diversity.
Millions of lamps glowing along the banks of the Ganges will create a vibrant picture of the country’s diverse traditions.
Each ghat will reflect its unique identity and reflect the colours of a different culture—some will reflect Marathi traditions, some South India’s customs, and some will showcase the lamp decorations by Maithil Brahmins, while others will be the centre of attraction: Gujarati rangoli and thaali decorations.
This Dev Deepawali in Kashi will embody the spirit of “One India, Best India” globally and will be a unique experience for tourists from India and abroad.
This year, the Panchganga Ghat, one of the five pilgrimage sites in Kashi, will once again showcase a unique touch of Marathi culture.
Families in the Marathi neighbourhood are busy preparing to decorate diyas in traditional ways and perform Ganga Aarti.
Decorations are also underway in the Nepali neighbourhood near the ghat. Nepali families will illuminate the banks of the Ganga by lighting diyas in their traditional style.
This confluence of both cultures will make the Panchganga Ghat special on the night of Dev Deepawali.
This year, the Gauri Kedar Ghat will be accentuated by South India’s culture. Preparations are in full swing for lamp decorations, devotional music, and traditional pujas at the Gauri Kedareshwar Temple complex.
The area is predominantly inhabited by people from South India. Consequently, the Gauri Kedar Ghat will showcase the essence of South India’s traditions.
The lighting of lamps has also begun in the old Gujarati neighbourhood. Temples around Chowk, Thatheri Bazaar, and Manikarnika are being specially decorated.
The Gujarati community will perform puja in traditional attire, and plates of diyas decorated with rangoli will make this area special. Here, lamps will be decorated according to the Gujarati tradition.
Lamps will be lit according to the worship rituals of Maithil Brahmins around Dashashwamedh Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat on the banks of the Ganges. This time, both the number of diyas and the decorations on these ghats will be historic.
On the evening of Dev Deepawali, when both banks of the Ganges will be illuminated with millions of diyas, it will not only be a religious event but also a unique celebration of India’s cultural unity, showcasing a glimpse of Maithili culture.
Dev Deepawali is a celebration of the soul of India. Traditions from every corner of the country shine together on the ghats of Kashi.
This confluence of Marathi, South Indian, Gujarati, Maithili, and Nepali cultures makes Kashi a “Mini India”.
The government is striving to further strengthen Kashi as a global cultural hub by encouraging such traditions.
Joint Director of Tourism, Dinesh Kumar, stated here on Tuesday that the Tourism Department will light one million lamps on Dev Deepawali 2025, while local committees at the remaining ghats will light their own.
He added that committees are active at every ghat and are working together to make this event a historic one.
Thousands of devotees and foreign tourists are expected to arrive from nearby districts, including Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Ballia, Gorakhpur, and Prayagraj, as well as from South India, Gujarat, and other states. Consequently, the Tourism Department is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations. - The Statesman/ANN
