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During Shiv Puja, light 8 or 12 sided lamps filled with ghee as an offering to Lord Shiva.
This year, the auspicious time for rituals is from 5:10 p.m. to 7:47 p.m.
Today, November 15, the festival of Dev Deepawali, along with Kartik Purnima, is celebrated with great devotion across India. On Kartik Purnima, people observe the ritual of taking a holy dip in holy rivers like the Ganges and making charitable donations according to their ability. Tonight, a grand celebration of Dev Deepawali will take place in Kashi (Varanasi), the city of Lord Shiva. Other major cities along the Ganges, such as Prayagraj and Haridwar, will also celebrate Dev Deepawali spectacularly, with lamps illuminating the banks of the river. Devotees across the country will light lamps, offer prayers to Lord Shiva and participate in the traditional evening worship that marks this auspicious occasion.
For those who wish to celebrate Dev Deepawali at home, here are some guidelines suggested by Dr. Ganesh Mishra, astrologer at Central Sanskrit University, Puri. Following the traditional method of worshiping Dev Deepawali, here is how and where to light the lamps inside the home.
Dev Deepawali 2024 Puja Vidhi
This year, the auspicious time to perform Dev Deepawali rituals is from 5:10 pm to 7:47 pm Start by taking a purifying bath in the evening and then wear clean clothes. It is essential to clean the house and place of worship before the evening, as sweeping the house at night is traditionally avoided. Lord Shiva is worshiped on Dev Deepawali, so during the auspicious time, offer prayers to Lord Bholenath with items like Belpatra (bilva leaves), Akshat (untouched rice), sandalwood paste, flowers, bhang, dhatura, incense, a lamp, honey. sugar and naivedya (sacred food offering). After 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 fulfill your wishes.
During Shiv Puja, light 8 or 12 sided lamps filled with ghee as an offering to Lord Shiva. Next, 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 in your house as follows:
- In the puja room, light a ghee lamp for Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Goddess Gauri and Goddess Lakshmi. Also, 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 house, also light a lamp with sesame or mustard oil.
- A diya should be placed at the main entrance of your house, with lamps on both sides of the entrance. The bright lamps that cross the patio or balcony enhance the atmosphere.
- In the kitchen, light a lamp to seek Goddess Annapurna's blessings for abundance of food and nutrients.
- Place a diya near the entrance of each room and light one in the east and north corners of the house, known as Ishaan Kon, to invite positive energy.
- Since Dev Deepawali falls on the auspicious Kartik Purnima Tithi, you can also light a diya near a Peepal tree as a mark of respect and devotion.
By following these rituals and lighting lamps at these designated places, you create an environment of divine energy and blessings within your home, celebrating the light and grace of Dev Deepawali.
