Deva Deepavali, also known as Dev Diwali or Tripurotsava, is a spectacular festival celebrated in Varanasi and other holy cities on Kartik Purnima. It is believed that on this night the gods themselves descend to the earth to bathe in the Ganges and to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
The festival is closely linked to the legend of Tripurasura, the three demon cities that were destroyed by Lord Shiva with a single arrow. This act earned Shiva the name Tripurari, and Kartik Purnima is observed as Tripurotsava in His honour.
For ten days preceding Kartik Purnima, the ghats of Varanasi are illuminated with countless earthen lamps, creating a river of light along the Ganges. Devotees take holy dips, recite the Ganga Mahatmya, and offer floating lamps (deepdan) to the river. The visual grandeur and spiritual atmosphere make Deva Deepavali one of the most breathtaking events in the Hindu calendar.