Dev Deepawali In Kashi, Varanasi HIGHLIGHTS: PM Modi Attends Light And Show At Sarnath Depicting The Life Of Lord Buddha
PM Modi in UP, Dev Deepawali Celebrations LIVE Updates: The Prime Minister lit a diya (earthen lamp) on Varanasi's Raj Ghat, after which 16 lakh diyas were lighted across both sides of Ganga. PM also witnessed the grand Light and Sound Show
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Background
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (November 30) afternoon arrived in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and dedicated to the nation the widened Handia-Rajatalab section of National Highway 19.
He inaugurated the six-lane widening project of Handia (Prayagraj)-Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19 on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti and Dev Deepawali.
The 73-km stretch of the newly-widened and six-laned NH-19, made with a total outlay of Rs 2,447 crores, is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by one hour, as per an official release.
PM Modi, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries, will also be taken on a cruise which will halt at the Chetram Ghat from where the guests will witness a scintillating laser show.
"The Dev Deepawali celebrations will be telecast live and is expected to revive tourism in the Covid situation," said joint director (tourism) Avinash Mishra.
The stairs of the Ghats have been decorated using flowers and red carpet, while artists were seen making beautiful rangolis and painting pots. As per officials, arrangements have been made up to light 11 lakh 'diyas' on the banks of the river.
PM Modi on farm bills:
After the inauguration of the Varanasi Prayagaj Highway project, while addressing the people of Varanasi, PM Modi said that the new agricultural reforms have given farmers new options and legal protection. His statement comes amid the ongoing protest of the farmer at the border of the national capital. "Farmers are being empowered by giving them options for a bigger market. Reforms are being done in the interest of farmers, which will give them more options. Shouldn't a farmer get the freedom to sell his produce directly to those who give them better prices and facilities," he said.
Why is Dev Deepawali celebrated?
It is a popular belief that Diwali of the deities is celebrated on Kartik Purnima day. To mark the occasion even deities descend from heaven in invisible forms on the ghats of the holy Ganges to ensure the salvation of the devotees involved in the Maha Aarti. The festival is a special part of the ancient culture of Kashi and even finds a mention in the sacred Hindu scripture Shiv Purana.
According to the Shiv Purana, when demon Tripura Sur tortured the gods during the Kartik month, Lord Vishnu killed him on this day following which celebrations were held that came to be known as Dev Diwali.
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