Dev Deepawali—“the Diwali of the gods”—falls on Kartik Purnima (full-moon night, about 15 days after Diwali). While the core is the same everywhere—deepdan (lamp offerings), snan (holy bath), aarti, charity, and temple darshan—each region adds its own color, music, food, and processions. Below is a granular map of customs from North to South, East to West.
Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi (Kashi): The Iconic River of Light
- Where: Ghats from Assi to Rajghat—notably Dashashwamedh, Assi, Chet Singh, Darbhanga, Manikarnika, Panchganga.
- What happens:
- Millions of diyas line the steps, balconies, and boats; households and akharas set out akash-deep (lamps hoisted high).
- Grand Ganga Aarti with synchronized lamps, conches, and Vedic chants.
- Deepdan by boat—pilgrims set floating lamps on the Ganga.
- Shraddhanjali lamps for ancestors and national martyrs at specific ghats.
- Local touches: Classical music/dance recitals, craft haats, and heritage walks on Kartik Purnima evening.
Prayagraj (Allahabad)
- Sangam snan at dawn, followed by deepdan along the confluence of Ganga-Yamuna-Saraswati, and evening aarti at riverfront temples.
Ayodhya
- While Diwali has the headline display, on Kartik Purnima devotees visit Ram Janmabhoomi and ghats for lamps, bhajans, and temple aartis—calmer than Diwali but deeply devotional.
Uttarakhand
Haridwar & Rishikesh
- Har Ki Pauri (Haridwar) and Triveni Ghat (Rishikesh) host stirring Ganga aartis with rows of lamps along the river.
- What’s unique: Himalayan chill, temple bells echoing across water, and devotees offering deepdan after evening aarti; many keep Kartik fasts and recite Vishnu Sahasranama.
Madhya Pradesh
Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar)
- Ritual core: Rudrabhishek at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, deepdan along Shipra river ghats, processions of trishul and damru symbolism.
- Tone: Shaivite flavor—Tripuri Purnima linked to Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura.
Omkareshwar & Maheshwar
- Narmada ghats glow with lamp rows; riverfront temples hold extended aartis and devotional music sabhas.
Rajasthan
Pushkar
- Kartik Purnima marks the culmination of the Pushkar Fair.
- Rituals: Sunrise dip in Pushkar Lake, lamps around the 52 ghats, darshan at Brahma Temple, folk performances, and rangoli.
- Feel: A heady blend of pilgrimage and fairground culture—turbaned traders, folk songs, and incense in the air.
Udaipur & Jaipur
- Lakesides and temples light up with deepdan, community bhajans, and Tulsi-Pujan in homes.
Gujarat
Dwarka & Somnath
- Coastal deepdan: Lamps on temple steps, aartis resounding with conches; some devotees float lamps at sea edges near the Dwarkadhish and Somnath temples.
- Flavor: Vaishnavite kirtans, shankh-naad, and prasad distribution.
Vadtal & Dakor
- Rituals: Darshan of Ranchhodraiji and Swaminarayan temples with lamp rows and annakut-style offerings in parts of the region.
Maharashtra
Nashik (Godavari) & Kolhapur (Panchganga)
- River ghats glow with diyas, kirtans, abhishek, and deepdan along the riverfront.
- Mumbai & Pune: Neighborhood temples hold Kartik Purnima aarti; families light lamps at Tulsi Vrindavan and entrances.
Bihar & Jharkhand
Patna (Ganga ghats), Bhagalpur, Sonepur
- Rituals: Dawn snan, deepdan at ghats, devotional gatherings.
- Sonepur Mela: Around this time, the historic fair (dates vary) adds folk theatre, rural crafts, and animal fairs—paired with temple visits and lamps.
Deoghar (Baidyanath Dham, Jharkhand)
- Shaivite observances: Special abhishek of Baba Baidyanath and lamps in the temple precincts; bhajans and charity drives.
Odisha (Kartik Purnima & Boita Bandana)
- Boita Bandana (Maritime Thanksgiving): At dawn, people float miniature boats with lamps (and betel leaves/flowers) in ponds, rivers, or sea—honoring ancient Sadhaba mariners who sailed to Southeast Asia.
- Where: Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Paradip, and neighborhood tanks.
- Alongside: Deepdan in temples, Jagannath shrines lit up, and community feasts.
West Bengal & Northeast
West Bengal
- Kartik Purnima overlaps in some regions with Raas Purnima/Jagaddhatri Puja (dates can vary). Temples and river ghats host lamp offerings, naam-kirtan, and local melas.
- Mayapur/Nabadwip: Vaishnavite kirtans, parikramas, and lamp rows around mathas.
Assam (Guwahati & Majuli)
- Devotees place lamps on Brahmaputra ghats and satras (Vaishnav monasteries) in Majuli may hold bhajans and deepdan in the evening.
Punjab, Haryana & Delhi-NCR
- Gurdwaras focus on their own liturgical calendar, but Hindu households and riverfront temples mark Kartik Purnima with deepdan and bhajans.
- Kurukshetra (Haryana): Brahma Sarovar often hosts ghat lamps, aartis, and fairs around Kartik; families float lamps after evening prayers.
- Delhi: Yamuna ghats and neighborhood temples arrange deepdan; cultural groups hold kirtans and Sanskrit recital evenings.
Himachal Pradesh & Jammu–Kashmir–Ladakh
- Himachal: Temple towns (e.g., Mandi, Kangra) observe lamp lighting, bhajans, and anna-daan (community meals) on Kartik Purnima evenings.
- Jammu: Raghunath Temple and local shrines light lamps; families perform tulsi-puja and distribute prasad.
- Ladakh: Smaller Hindu communities light diyas at home shrines; the mood is intimate and family-centric due to winter.
Karnataka (Karthika Deepotsava)
- Dharmasthala’s Laksha Deepotsava: Around Kartik, the town lights lakhs of lamps across shrines and streets; classical performances and annadanam attract pilgrims statewide.
- Udupi, Gokarna, Hampi region: Temples host Deepotsava with chariot processions, tulsi-puja, and lamp rows along temple tanks.
Tamil Nadu (Karthigai Deepam — a sister festival)
- Tiruvannamalai: A giant beacon (Mahadeepam) is lit atop Arunachala Hill, symbolizing Shiva as infinite light; homes and temples blaze with agal vilakku (earthen lamps).
- Across TN: Though distinct from Dev Deepawali, Karthigai Deepam often falls close by—so the visual of lamp-filled streets and temple prakarams mirrors the spirit of the season.
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh (Karthika Masam)
- Month-long observances: Karthika vratas, Rudrabhishek, tulsi-puja, and community picnics called vanabhojanam/vanabhojanalu under sacred trees.
- Kartik Purnima day: Deepdan at river ghats, temple aartis, and lamp rows at homes and colonies.
Goa & Coastal Konkan
- Temples light diyas on mandapas and tulsi-vrindavans; families perform deepdan near wells and ponds, blending coastal customs with Kartik rites.
Kerala (Kartika Deepam at Select Temples)
- In some temples, Kartika Deepam (aligned to the Krittika star) results in lamp rows and deeparadhana. Homes place lamps near tulsi and thresholds; the emphasis is devotion over spectacle.
Food & Prasad Traditions You’ll Notice
- North: Kheer, poori-sabzi, khichdi, malpua, and besan laddoo.
- West: Gujiyas, lapshi, and panchkuta (Rajasthan).
- East: Khaja, rasgulla, chhena sweets, and pitha variants.
- South: Pongal, payasam, adhirasam, and appam; tulsi-puja prasadam.
Eco-Friendly Dev Deepawali Tips (for communities & travelers)
- Prefer mitti (clay) diyas and sesame oil/ghee; avoid paraffin.
- Use biodegradable wick holders/plates; keep a distance from river edges.
- Opt for community lamp walls instead of disposable holders.
- Follow no-drone/no-laser rules around heritage ghats and crowded temple zones.
- Carry back all packaging; avoid floral foam or plastic glitters in offerings.
Quick Planner (Varanasi & Beyond)
- Best vantage points (Varanasi): Early evening at Assi (start) → walk/boat towards Dashashwamedh → end near Panchganga.
- Pushkar: Sunrise lake dip, Brahma Temple darshan, fairground folk shows, evening deepdan.
- Haridwar/Rishikesh: Reserve ghat steps an hour before aarti; float lamps post-aarti.
- Ujjain: Attend Mahakaleshwar rituals and proceed to Shipra ghats for deepdan.
