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During the Shiv Puja, light either 8 or 12-faced lamps filled with ghee as an offering to Lord Shiva.
This year, the auspicious time for rituals is from 5:10 PM to 7:47 PM.
On November 15, today, the festival of Dev Deepawali, along with Kartik Purnima, is being celebrated across India with great devotion. On Kartik Purnima, people observe the ritual of taking a holy dip in sacred rivers such as the Ganga and engage in charitable donations according to their capacity. This evening, a grand Dev Deepawali celebration will take place in Kashi (Varanasi), the city of Lord Shiva. Other significant cities along the Ganga, like Prayagraj and Haridwar, will also be spectacularly celebrating Dev Deepawali, with lamps illuminating the riverbanks. Devotees across the nation will light lamps, offer prayers to Lord Shiva, and partake in the traditional evening worship that marks this auspicious occasion.
For those wishing to celebrate Dev Deepawali at home, here are some guidelines suggested by Dr Ganesh Mishra, an astrologer from Central Sanskrit University in Puri. Following the traditional method of Dev Deepawali worship, here is how and where to light lamps within the household.
Dev Deepawali 2024 Puja Vidhi
This year, the auspicious time for performing Dev Deepawali rituals is from 5:10 PM to 7:47 PM. Begin by taking a purifying bath in the evening, then wear clean clothes. It is essential to clean the house and the worship area before evening, as it’s traditionally avoided to sweep the house at night. Lord Shiva is venerated on Dev Deepawali, so during the auspicious time, offer prayers to Lord Bholenath with items like Belpatra (bilva leaves), Akshat (unbroken rice), sandalwood paste, flowers, bhang, dhatura, incense, a lamp, honey, sugar, and naivedya (sacred food offering). Following these offerings, read the story of Dev Deepawali or Kartik Purnima, concluding with Shiva Aarti. Finally, pray to Bhole Shankar (Lord Shiva) to remove obstacles and fulfil your wishes.
During the Shiv Puja, light either 8 or 12-faced lamps filled with ghee as an offering to Lord Shiva. Then, take an odd number of earthen lamps (5, 7, 11, or 51) and fill them with cow ghee or mustard oil. Light these diyas and place them around your home in the following manner:
- In the puja room, light a ghee lamp each for Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Goddess Gauri, and Goddess Lakshmi. Additionally, light a lamp for each of the nine planets (Navagraha).
- Place a lamp near the Tulsi plant if you have one. If there is a Shami tree in your home, light a lamp with sesame or mustard oil by it as well.
- A diya should be placed at the main entrance of your home, with lamps on both sides of the doorway. Light lamps across the courtyard or balcony enhance the ambience.
- In the kitchen, light a lamp to seek the blessings of Goddess Annapurna for abundance in food and nourishment.
- Place a diya near the entrance of every room, and light one in both the eastern and northern corners of the house, known as Ishaan Kon, to invite positive energy.
- Since Dev Deepawali falls on the auspicious Kartik Purnima Tithi, you may also light a diya near a Peepal tree as a mark of respect and devotion.
By following these rituals and lighting lamps in these designated spots, you create an environment of divine energy and blessings within your home, celebrating the light and grace of Dev Deepawali.