Dev Diwali History: Why does Dev Diwali celebrate Kartik Purnima today? Read these two mythological stories

On the full moon date of Kartik month, Dev Diwali is celebrated in Kashi i.e. Banaras, the city of Lord Shiva. This time Dev Deepavali is on 30 November. Lord Shiva and Ganga Mata are worshiped on the day of Dev Diwali. Ganga Aarti is performed in the evening. Two mythological stories are found in reference to Dev Deepavali. There is a story related to Maharishi Vishwamitra and the other Lord Shiva. Let’s read those stories.

First story of dev diwali

This story is related to Maharishi Vishwamitra. According to the legend, Vishwamitra once challenged the authority of the gods. With the help of his tenacity, he sent Trishanku to heaven. The gods were amazed to see this. Vishwamitra had challenged him in a way by doing this. At this the gods started sending Trisanku back to Earth, which Vishwamitra considered his insult. He did not accept this defeat. Then they stopped him in the air with his power and started creating new heaven and creation. This made the gods afraid. He apologized for his mistake and started praising Vishwamitra to convince him. Eventually the gods succeeded and Vishwamitra was pleased with their prayers. He stopped the creation of another heaven and creation. This pleased all the gods and on that day they celebrated Diwali, which is called Dev Diwali.

Second story of Dev Deepawali

The second story of Dev Deepawali is related to Lord Shiva. According to the legend, at one time all three people were frightened and saddened by the atrocities of the demon named Tripura. The gods went to the shelter of Lord Shiva to protect him. Then Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura on the full moon date of Kartik month and freed the three worlds from his fear. From that day itself, the deity started celebrating Kartik Purnima every year as the victory festival of Lord Shiva. On that day all the devas light the lamp. This festival was called Dev Deepavali.