Dev Diwali 2025: Date, Story, Significance & Puja Vidhi Explained

India is famous for its many festivals, which are celebrated in different ways. Dev Diwali is one such festival, celebrated on the full moon day of Kartik month, 15 days after Diwali. It is said that on this day, all the gods and goddesses descend on Kashi and illuminate Kashi and the banks of the Ganges with lamps.

According to legend, Lord Shiva killed the demon Tripurasura and stopped his growing terror. To commemorate this, the gods descended on Kashi and celebrated the festival by lighting lamps, and this festival came to be known as Dev Diwali. This festival is especially celebrated with great pomp in Kashi.

Important Information: Dev Diwali

Dev Diwali: In 2025
Date: Dev Diwali will be celebrated on November 5th.

Full Moon of Kartik Month:

Full Moon Starts: November 4th, 10:36 PM
Full Moon Ends: November 5th, 6:48 PM

Auspicious Time (Pradosh Kaal): 5:00 PM to 7:50 PM

Method of worship: In Dev Diwali

1- Take a bath in the morning. If possible, bathe in the Ganges River. Otherwise, mix the Ganges water stored at home with your bath water.

2- Clean the temple area thoroughly and purify the house by sprinkling Ganges water.

3- Install idols or pictures of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Lakshmi.

4- Begin the puja by lighting a ghee lamp.

5- Anoint Lord Shiva with Ganges water and offer Bel leaves.

6- Offer bananas and Tulsi to Lord Vishnu.

7- Light lamps in the evening during the Pradosh period.

8- Illuminate the house by lighting lamps in the courtyard, on the terrace, and at the entrance.

9- Lighting lamps at the Ganges Ghat or river bank is considered auspicious.

10- Finally, perform aarti and distribute prasad.

Mythology or mystery behind Dev Diwali

The full moon of the month of Kartik is called Tripurari Purnima. On this day, Lord Shiva killed the three demons of Tripura Suvarna. It is said that on this day, Lord Shiva destroyed the three demons and established righteousness and peace. Since then, this day is also known as Dev Diwali.

According to legend, long ago, there were three demon brothers. They decided to conquer the universe by defeating the gods. After this, they performed penance to Lord Brahma so that no one could ever defeat them.

What boon was requested?

Brahma was pleased with their penance and asked them to appear and ask for a boon. The three brothers asked for immortality. Brahma refused, saying that the boon of immortality is not given to anyone. Then, they all asked for a boon that would make their death almost impossible.

They said, "O Brahma, build us three cities—one of gold, one of silver, and one of iron." These cities should be in the sky and appear once every thousand years in the Abhijit constellation. Furthermore, if anyone destroys all three cities with a single arrow, all three of us will surely die. Brahma granted them the boon, saying, "So be it," and ordered Vishwakarma to build the cities.

Why did Lord Shiva kill them?

After receiving the boon, the three demons became arrogant and began oppressing the gods. They even usurped Indra's kingdom. Distressed, the gods went to Lord Shiva and pleaded for help. Lord Shiva resolved to kill the three demons. However, the boon made this task extremely difficult. So he had a divine chariot constructed. Each god played a role in the chariot. The Sun and Moon became its wheels. Indra, Yama, Varuna, and Kubera became its horses. The Himalayas became the bow, Sheshnag became the rope, and Lord Vishnu himself became the arrow.

When the three cities gathered in the Abhijit constellation, Lord Shiva shot a divine arrow that pierced them simultaneously. In an instant, they were reduced to ashes, and the three demons were destroyed. That's why Shiva is also called Tripurataka, meaning "destroyer of the three cities."

Tripurari Purnima teaches us this: no matter how powerful evil may be, ultimately, righteousness and truth prevail. That's why Dev Diwali is celebrated on this day, when all of Kashi is illuminated with lamps and Lord Shiva is worshipped.