Festival guide
Kartik Purnima
Kartik Purnima, the full moon that ends the holy month of Kartika, is one of the most sacred days for bathing and lighting lamps.
Kartik Purnima dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday 24 November | Kartika Shukla Purnima 23 Nov, 23:42 → 24 Nov, 20:23 |
| 2027 | Sunday 14 November | Kartika Shukla Purnima 13 Nov, 09:55 → 14 Nov, 08:55 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at sunrise.
Also known as: Dev Deepawali (Varanasi), Tripuri Purnima, Guru Nanak Jayanti (often the same day).
Story and significance
Shiva is said to have destroyed the three demon cities (Tripura) on this day, and the gods celebrated by lighting lamps — Dev Deepawali, the “Diwali of the gods”. Vishnu’s Matsya avatar is also associated with this full moon.
How Kartik Purnima is celebrated
- A holy dip in the Ganga or Pushkar lake at dawn
- Lighting lamps on the ghats of Varanasi for Dev Deepawali
- Floating lamps on rivers
- The Pushkar fair in Rajasthan
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Kartik Purnima 2026?
Kartik Purnima 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Kartik Purnima 2027?
Kartik Purnima 2027 falls on Sunday, 14 November 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Kartik Purnima change every year?
Kartik Purnima is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha Purnima of Kartika (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Kartik Purnima fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.