River Ganges lit up for Dev Diwali

Devotees thronged Varanasi in large numbers to celebrate the Dev Diwali or Diwali of gods.

Dev Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of Diwali, the festival of lights, on the full moon day in the month of Karthik (also known as Karthik Purnima).

Also called Dev Uthi Aakadash, Dev Diwali also marks the end of the fortnight of Diwali celebrations and a major event on the day is the lighting of earthen lamps in the night after the moon is sighted.

On Wednesday, the steps of all the banks on the river front of Ganges sparkled with more than a million earthen lamps lit in the honour of the river Ganges.

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor also visited the city to join the celebrations.

A priest of Kashi Vishwanath Temple said the people pray here to attain salvation.

"By lighting earthen lamps, we show our respect not only towards our ancestors but also wish to attain salvation and this is what we pray for in the biggest prayer held here," said Shrikant Mishra, the priest.

The celebrations in Varanasi also attract tourists from across the world.

"This festival boosts tourism. Residents of Varanasi celebrate this festival with such vigour that prayers at river Ganges in Varanasi have become famous all over the world. People from across the countries come here to experience the celebrations. All the hotels and lodges are fully booked on this occasion," said Prem Mishra, a devotee.

It is believed that gods celebrated Dev Diwali when Lord Shiva killed demon king Bipurasur on this day.