Aakash-Deeps (Lighting of Oil Lamps) are lit to lighten the way for the souls of ancestors to the land of Gods i.e. Heaven, for full Karttika Month in Kashi since centuries. The gallant Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Nation are also our progenitors. Reviving the age old tradition and giving it a new dimension Ganga Seva Nidhi lights Aakash-Deep to enlighten the immortal heroic souls' journey to Heaven.
This socio-religious practice we learn from the mythological history when people commemorated the Martyrs of Mahabharat by putting Aakash-Deep, the light that leads to divinity. According to Mahabharat, after the Kurukshetra war, the-then King of Kashi declared a month of State Mourning for martyrs of "Dharamkshetra Kurukshetra", which started from the first day of Karttika and ended on the last day i.e. Karttika Purnima. Pursuing the rich ancient values, Ganga Seva Nidhi has revived this tradition and pays special honour to the Nation's Martyrs.
GSN is committed to unfurl the glories of oriental world in the Blues. Time and space is no factor for whoever fought for the justice is contemporary and relevant to us. For the first time in the Nation's History with the cooperative nourishment and active participation of Armed Forces, the civilians of Varanasi, under the aegis of GSN, pay tribute to Martyrs in one month long Aakash-deep and Dev-Dipavali .
GSN is the initiator and organizer of world famous Dev-Dipavali Mahotsava with a blend of 'Spiritualism and Nationalism' at Dashashwamedh ghat, witnessed by lacs of people of Varanasi and tourists from all across the world.
With the indispensable support of 39 G.T.C., Varanasi, 4 Air Force Selection Board, Varanasi, 7 UP Bn NCC Naval, BHU, Varanasi, 95 Battalion, CRPF, Varanasi and Head Quarter, Central Air Command, IAF, Allahabad, GSN pays special honour to defence martyrs by lifting 'Aakash-deep'. The culminating zenith of this one-month long event is the celebration of world famous Dev-Dipavali on Karttik Purnima (15 days after Dipavali festival).

Bhagirath Alankaran Samman

Padmavibhushan Pt. Kishan Maharaj receiving the award from Rajnath Singh ex C.M. UP (year 2001)

Padmavibhushan Smt. Girija Devi receiving the award (year 2001)

Padmabhushan Pt. Rajan Sajan Mishra receiving the award from C. N. Dubey, commisioner (year 2004)

Bhagirath Shourya Samman

Air Marshal P. P. Rajkumar presnting "Bhagirath Shaourya Samman"  for Supreme Sacrifice to our beloved Motherland on the occassion of Dev-Dipavali 2008

CJM Mr. Shiv Kumar (SBI) presenting Bhagirath Shourya Samman for the selfless sacrifice for the Nation on the occassion of Dev-Dipavali 2008

Mr. D. K. Kohly, COO, Hindalco presenting Bhagirath Shourya Samman for the selfless sacrifice for the nation on the occassion of Dev-Dipavali 2008