Dev Diwali 2023: Kartik Purnima marks the last day of the Kartik month, and on this day, Dev Diwali is celebrated nationwide. However, due to differences in the lunar calendar, Dev Diwali will be observed on November 26, 2023, and the fasting and bathing for Kartik Purnima will be on November 27, 2023.


Dev Diwali, also known as the Diwali of the gods, involves a morning bath in the Ganges and an evening lamp-lighting ceremony on the ghats. Dev Diwali has a deep connection with Lord Shiva.


Dev Diwali 2023 Muhurat (Dev Diwali 2023 Timings):



  • Kartik Purnima Starts: November 26, 2023, at 03:53 PM

  • Kartik Purnima Ends: November 27, 2023, at 02:45 PM

  • Pradoshkal Dev Diwali Muhurat: Evening 05:08 to Night 07:47

  • Duration: 2 hours 39 minutes


On this day, Dev Diwali is observed during the Pradoshkal, and the ghats and temples in Varanasi are illuminated with the light of lamps. Varanasi experiences a special aura during Dev Diwali.


Story of Dev Diwali (Dev Diwali Katha):


According to mythological tales, Lord Shiva's son Kartikeya vanquished the demon Tarakasura. To avenge his father's death, Tarakasura's three sons—Tarakaaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali—undertook severe penance. These three were collectively known as Tripurasura. After rigorous penance, they pleased Lord Brahma, who granted them a boon that they would only be killed when the three cities they built aligned in a row during the Abhijit Nakshatra, and an impossible chariot with an impossible arrow tried to attack them. Following this boon, Tripurasura's tyranny increased.


When Lord Shiva himself vowed to annihilate Tripurasura, he created a chariot out of the Earth, with the Sun and Moon as wheels, the creator Brahma as the charioteer, Lord Vishnu as the arrow, Vasuki as the bowstring, and Mount Meru as the bow. Riding this impossible chariot, Lord Shiva shot the impossible arrow at Tripurasura, ending their reign of terror. Since then, Lord Shiva came to be known as Tripurari.


Connection of Dev Diwali with Kashi:


The day of Kartik Purnima saw the destruction of Tripurasura. In celebration, all the deities reached the divine city of Lord Shiva, Kashi. After bathing in the Ganges, they lit lamps, marking the beginning of Dev Diwali celebrations on Earth.