Dev Deepawali 2026

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Devotees of Shiva and Vishnu: Men and women across India observe this day with worship, lamps and prayer for peace, merit and the blessings of the gods.
• Pilgrims and Ganga Devotees: Those who bathe in the Ganga, especially at Varanasi, and offer lamps to the river seek spiritual purity and liberation (Moksha).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Holy Bath: Taken in the morning during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hour), preferably in the Ganga or another sacred river.
• Puja and Deep Daan: Lamps are lit and offered in the evening during Pradosh Kaal (the period after sunset). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Aarti: Performed after the lamps are lit, in the early evening.

About the Festival

Dev Deepawali, the "Diwali of the Gods", is a radiant festival celebrated across India, most grandly on the ghats of Varanasi, where millions of lamps glow along the Ganga. It takes place on the Purnima (full moon day) in the month of Kartik.

The Katha (Story of Shiva and Tripurasura)

Long ago, the three sons of the demon Tarakasura, known as Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali, performed severe penance and received a boon from Brahma. They built three flying cities of gold, silver and iron, together called Tripura, and grew proud and powerful.

With their power, the demons troubled the gods and the sages, and the worlds lived in fear. The gods went to Lord Shiva and begged for his help, since Tripura could be destroyed only by a single arrow shot when the three cities came into one line.

Lord Shiva agreed. With the earth as his chariot, the Sun and Moon as its wheels and Mount Meru as his bow, he shot one arrow at the moment the three cities aligned and destroyed Tripura. Shiva came to be called Tripurari, the destroyer of Tripura.

Overjoyed, the gods came down to Kashi on Kartik Purnima, bathed in the Ganga and lit lamps to celebrate Shiva's victory. Since that day, Dev Deepawali has been kept as the festival of lamps of the gods.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the evening puja:

• Lamps & Lights: Many clay Diyas with Ghee or sesame oil, and cotton wicks
• Image / Idol: Picture or idol of Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu, and a Ganga Jal (water of the Ganga) vessel
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Chandan, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Flowers & Leaves: Marigold flowers, Bilva leaves and Tulsi leaves
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Fruits, Kheer or sweets, and Panchamrit
• Devotional Accessories: Incense sticks, Kalava (sacred thread), and Camphor for aarti

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta and bathe in the Ganga or a sacred river (or add a few drops of Ganga Jal to your bath water at home).
2. Wear clean, auspicious clothes.
3. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Shiva, today on Kartik Purnima I worship you and light lamps in your honour. Bless me and my family with peace, purity and prosperity."
4. Keep the day sattvic, and fast or eat only simple food, as your family custom suggests.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Space (Late Afternoon)

1. Clean the puja room and the entrance of your home and decorate it with rangoli and flowers.
2. Place the image of Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu on a clean Chowki (wooden stool) covered with a fresh cloth.
3. Keep the Diyas ready, and fill them with Ghee or oil.

Step 3: Performing the Evening Rituals (Pradosh Kaal)

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya before the deity.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Chandan and Akshat to the deity.
3. Offering Flowers & Leaves: Offer flowers, Bilva leaves and Tulsi leaves, and tie Kalava (sacred thread).
4. Offering Naivedya: Place fruits, Kheer or sweets before the deity.

Step 4: Remembering the Story

1. Sit respectfully before the altar with a few flower petals and Akshat in your right hand.
2. Recite or listen to the story of Lord Shiva's victory over Tripurasura.
3. After the story, offer the petals and grains at the feet of the deity.

Step 5: Deep Daan and Aarti

1. Light many Diyas and place them at the door, on the terrace, on windowsills and around the Tulsi plant. Those near a river may float lamps on the water (Deep Daan).
2. Perform the Aarti of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu with the lit lamp, singing devotional hymns.
3. Offer prayers for the peace of the whole world.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among family members and neighbours.
3. Close the day with a simple sattvic meal.