Photos: Kashi ghats decked up for majestic festival

VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will celebrate Dev Deepawali in his parliamentary constituency on November 30 when the banks of holy Ganga will be illuminated with lakhs of diyas (earthen lamps) and façade lighting, presenting a spectacular view.
Dev Deepawali, also known as the ‘Diwali of the Gods’ is celebrated in Varanasi on a grand scale. It is believed that gods descend on the earth on this day to bathe in the holy Ganga.

The festival falls on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima, 15 days after Diwali.

The entire stretch of the banks of Ganga is illuminated with innumerable earthen lamps to welcome the gods and pay respect to Maa Ganga.

After celebrating Diwali this year with soldiers at the border post of Longewala, PM Modi will be celebrating Dev Deepawali with the people of his constituency.

Dev Deepawali festival is also a major tourist attraction, and the sight of lakhs of lamps, some floating in the Ganga, lighting the ghats and river in vivid colors has often been described by visitors and tourists as breathtaking.

As the PM is visiting the city to take part in the festivities, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has himself taken command of the event and he visited the city on Friday to take stock of the preparations.
District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said, the 7.5km stretch of the river bank will be illuminated with 11 lakh earthen lamps, colourful electric lights and façade lights. The sand arts created on the opposite bank will also be illuminated with façade lights. Besides, cultural activities will also be held at 15 ghats adding grandeur to the festival. Arrangements have been made for live telecast of all the events during PM’s visit through LED screens.
While briefing officials, the CM asked them to make the festival grander this time as the PM is visiting the city after nine months. He asked the officials to make zero-error arrangements for the event.