Advani, daughter in Varanasi to take part in Dev Diwali

Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani reached here on Saturday to participate in the Dev Diwali, when thousands of earthen lamps light up the ghats of Varanasi on Kartik Poornima. He is accompanied by his daughter Pratibha Advani.

Advani is scheduled to go to Bhaisasur Ghat for the Dev Deepawali and then take a boat ride on the Ganga to reach the Rajendra Prasad and Dashwashmedh Ghat. While there is no official confirmation of his visit to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple, sources say he might attend the Mangala Aarti (morning aarti) at the temple.A

Dev Deepawali is being celebrated in Varanasi since 1785 when it was started by Maharanai Ahilya Bai. A tower which can hold more than 500 lamps still exists at the Panch Ganga Ghat still exists and people light up the diya's here every Kartik Poornima, said a local priest.

Since 1991, the Deepawali spread to other ghats as well and now an evening Ganga Aarti is also conducted by 21 priests every day, becoming a major tourist attraction which draws thousands of people.

--IANS

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