Gorgeous

 Diwali itself is beautiful, what with the whole house spruced up. Equally heavenly is this Dev Dipawali, what with earthen lamps softly lighting up the entire premises which can easily compete with the 'super' version of the full moon and the very many stars illuminating the  night sky. 

It is important for a number of reasons. In Kashi, for instance, on this day is celebrated the Ganga Mahotsav. Anybody,  who has participated in the Ganga aarti sitting on the steps of the Ganga ghat, the river flowing gently near one's feet, and the entire spectacle of the aarti unfolding in front of one's eyes, knows the unique feel. 

I participated in the evening Ganga aarti at Haridwar. Despite the unmistakable squalor around, which is highly disturbing, the actual aarti itself is absolutely heavenly. I can hence imagine the Deepotsav at Kashi as part of the Ganga Mahotsav. It has to be a sight that gods themselves would love. Hence the title Dev Dipawali absolutely suits the occasion.

It falls on the Kartik alias Tripuri Pournima. Unique is this festival as it is a celebration alike for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. Near the ghats of the unique Pushkar lake which extends to the horizon despite the terrible desert around, every Kartik Pournima is celebrated at the only temple of the Bramha, the origin of the entire universe, who granted the three a-suras the unique boon of the three, the 'tri pur', the three  invincible cities. 

On this day formally end the Diwali celebrations, making us await the reiteration of the festivities next year. 

Pratima@ Special indeed are the myths about this Tripurari Purnima when Shiva alias Pinaki used the special, grand, invincible Pinak bow which with one arrow destroyed  the "tripur", the iron, silver and golden cities of the three a-surs who were so pious, ideal and good that Lord Vishnu had to create a wrong, a false Dharma to taint them. Equally grand is the Sikh version of this festival as on this day is celebrated the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. For the Jains, it marks the end of the Chaturmas penance period and as a day to venerate the first Tirthankara, Adinath. One day uniting three religions! Very special, unique and typical of India!