The Delhi Government’s Department of Art, Culture and Languages on Wednesday celebrated Dev Deepawali Utsav 2025 in a grand manner at Vasudev Ghat. The celebration turned the riverfront into a breathtaking confluence of devotion, light and culture. The event featured the Yamuna Aarti and a soulful Bhajan Sandhya, drawing a large number of devotees and residents. Bathed in the glow of thousands of diyas, Vasudev Ghat radiated spiritual energy and cultural unity.
This year’s theme, “Ek Diya Devotion Ke Naam” (“A Lamp for the Divine”), reflected the spirit of light, purity, and harmony. The Chief Guest, Minister of Art, Culture & Languages Kapil Mishra, led the Yamuna Aarti and said that Dev Deepawali is “not merely a festival of lamps but a reflection of faith and awakening.” He added, “Delhi is entering a new cultural era, a city where every festival, whether Teej, Navratri or Dussehra, is celebrated with grandeur and warmth. We want our youth to stay connected to our traditions so that Delhi is known not just for its modernity but for its deep cultural roots.”
Mishra also used the occasion to counter criticism over the Yamuna clean-up. “Some people claim we are not cleaning the Yamuna or that we are using water from elsewhere,” he said. “I want to remind them, when they were in power, they were busy with liquor politics. If Arvind Kejriwal had visited the Yamuna just 11 times in these 11 years, the river wouldn’t have reached this State.”
He continued, “Those questioning our work today are the same people who ignored this sacred river for years. For us, the Yamuna is both our faith and our duty. We are working with full dedication to restore its purity and sanctity. That is the essence of Delhi’s culture: devotion and responsibility walking together.”
As the Yamuna Aarti concluded, chants of “Har Har Yamune” filled the air. Renowned artists performed devotional songs during the Bhajan Sandhya, creating an atmosphere of peace and devotion. The riverbank shimmered under the golden glow of lamps, offering a spectacle that devotees described as “a glimpse of Varanasi in Delhi.”
In another celebration the same evening, Kapil Mishra participated in the Egas festival at Sadatpur in the Karawal Nagar constituency. Egas, rooted in Uttarakhand’s traditions, was celebrated with cultural performances and folk music.
Greeting the gathering, Mishra said, “Today is special; it’s Kartik Purnima, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and the sacred festival of Dev Deepawali. On behalf of the Delhi Government, I extend my best wishes to all.”
Mishra also announced that he has been entrusted with the Garhwali, Kumaoni, and Jaunsari Academy, through which the Government will promote Uttarakhand’s folk heritage. “Several new initiatives will be launched to give greater recognition to these traditions in Delhi,” he said.
