FESTIVALS & OBSERVANCES
Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali 2026: date and puja
Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali fall on 24 November 2026. See the tithi timings, the Krittika link, a simple puja, safety tips and traditional remedies.
· 3 min read
Date and timing
Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the Kartik month, falls on 24 November 2026. By our calculation the Purnima tithi begins at about 11:41 pm on 23 November and ends at about 8:22 pm on 24 November, India time. Dev Diwali is observed in the evening of 24 November, in the Pradosh period after sunset, and exact timings vary by city.
The same full moon is known by different names around the country, including Tripuri Purnima, Karthika Pournami, Karthigai Deepam and Thrikarthika. Many calendars place Guru Nanak Jayanti on or near this full moon too. Confirm local timings in a panchang.
What Dev Diwali is
Dev Diwali, or Dev Deepawali, is called the Diwali of the gods. In the tradition, it marks the day the gods are said to descend to celebrate, and the story linked to Tripuri Purnima is Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura. In Varanasi, thousands of lamps are lit along the river ghats.
You do not need to be in Varanasi. Many families light rows of diyas at home or at a temple, take a bath early in the morning, donate and read or listen to a katha.
The link to Krittika
The Kartik month is traditionally named after Krittika, the nakshatra where the full moon of this month typically falls. A nakshatra is one of 27 divisions of the zodiac, each about 13 degrees 20 minutes wide. If you want to know which nakshatra holds your own Moon, read our guide to finding your nakshatra and Moon sign.
A simple puja at home
Start the day with a bath, and many people light a lamp in the morning. In the evening, clean the entrance, light diyas, offer flowers and sweets and read a prayer you know, such as a Vishnu or Shiva prayer. Many families also light a lamp near the Tulsi plant. The tradition values sincerity over scale.
Donating food, blankets or lamps to people who need them is considered a core part of the day, and is a good practice in any belief system.
Safety and common sense
If you plan to bathe in a river, check the water level, current and temperature first. Crowded ghats have caused accidents in the past, so keep children close and avoid pushing in crowds. Never swim in a flooded or fast-moving river for a ritual. A bath at home with a sprinkle of water from a river, if you have one, is an accepted alternative in many families.
Keep diyas away from clothes, curtains and dry leaves, and never leave them unattended. Be cautious about anyone who charges a fee for a “special Kartik Purnima remedy”. The traditional practices of lamps, charity and prayer cost very little.
Using the day for reflection
A full moon is a natural time to pause. Some people write down what they want to let go of and what they want to invest in over the winter. If you want to see how the Moon sits in your own chart, create a free kundli. The day also falls just before the Rahu-Ketu transit on 5 December and Kharmas in mid-December, so it can be a calm point to plan the weeks ahead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the date of Dev Diwali 2026?
Dev Diwali falls on 24 November 2026, the evening of Kartik Purnima. Light lamps after sunset, and check a local panchang for the exact Pradosh time in your city.
When does the Purnima tithi start and end in 2026?
By our calculation it begins at about 11:41 pm on 23 November and ends at about 8:22 pm on 24 November, India time.
Is Kartik Purnima the same as Dev Diwali?
They fall on the same day. Kartik Purnima is the full moon of the Kartik month, and Dev Diwali is the festival of lamps observed that evening, famously in Varanasi.
Do I need to bathe in a river on Kartik Purnima?
It is a traditional practice, but it is not necessary. A bath at home is widely accepted, and you should avoid rivers that are crowded, flooded or cold enough to be unsafe.
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