VARANASI: As Kashi prepares to once again transform into a spectacular sea of light, the Yogi Adityanath govt is working to give Dev Deepawali a grander and more historic scale this year, with the festival scheduled for Nov 24.Busy finalising preparations for the Dev Deepawali celebrations, the tourism department is making arrangements to illuminate the Ganga ghats with more than 11 lakh earthen lamps, including nearly 1 lakh lamps made from cow dung, combining faith and tradition with a message of environmental protection, said joint director (tourism) Dinesh Kumar.Declared a provincial fair, Dev Deepawali is set to take on a wider ceremonial scale through government arrangements and public participation. Along with the riverfront ghats, ponds and kunds across the city will also be illuminated with lakhs of lamps.On Kartik Purnima, the crescent-shaped ghats of Varanasi are expected to shimmer in the glow of diyas, their reflections dancing across the Ganga and highlighting the city’s timeless blend of devotion, spirituality and community participation. The illumination is expected to offer a panoramic spectacle of faith and heritage across the riverfront, ponds and sacred water bodies.The historic ghats along the Ganga will undergo special cleaning and be adorned with facade lighting and electric illumination to showcase Kashi’s architectural and cultural heritage. The state government has also proposed a laser show and green fireworks for the occasion.The celebrations will be preceded by Ganga Mahotsav, to be held from Nov 20 to 23, followed by Dev Deepawali on Nov 24. Both events are closely linked to Varanasi’s religious, cultural and spiritual identity and draw large numbers of devotees and tourists from India and abroad every year.
