Kartik Purnima, occurring on the full moon day of the holiest month in the Hindu calendar, is a day of profound spiritual cleansing and celebration. Also known as Tripurari Purnima or Deva Deepawali, it marks the day when the gods celebrate their own Diwali in the heavens. In 2026, this auspicious day falls in late November, concluding the month-long austerities of the Kartik month.
2026 Date and Auspicious Timings
For 2026, the Purnima Tithi spans across two days. However, the traditional "Kartik Snan" and "Deep Daan" rituals are most auspicious on Tuesday.
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Kartik Purnima Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
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Purnima Tithi Begins: 11:42 PM on November 23, 2026
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Purnima Tithi Ends: 08:23 PM on November 24, 2026
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Moonrise Timing: 05:01 PM (approximate; varies by city)
The Legends of Kartik Purnima
This day is associated with several pivotal events in Vedic history:
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The Victory of Tripurari: Lord Shiva earned the name "Tripurari" on this day by destroying the three invincible cities (Tripura) created by the demon Tripurasura. To celebrate this victory, the gods descended to the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi and lit thousands of oil lamps, a tradition now known as Dev Deepawali.
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The Matsya Avatar: It is believed that Lord Vishnu took his first incarnation as the fish (Matsya) on this day to save the Vedas and the first man, Satyavrata, from the great deluge.
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The Birth of Kartikeya: Many traditions celebrate this day as the birth anniversary of Lord Kartikeya, the god of war and the son of Lord Shiva.
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Radha-Krishna Raas Lila: In the Vaishnava tradition, it is believed that Lord Krishna and Radha performed their divine Raas Lila on the banks of the Yamuna on this moonlit night.
Essential Rituals and Observances
To gain the full spiritual merit of Kartik Purnima, devotees perform the following rituals:
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Kartik Snan (The Holy Dip): Taking a bath in a sacred river (like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Godavari) before sunrise is the most important ritual. It is believed that a dip on this day is equivalent to performing a hundred Ashwamedha Yajnas.
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Deep Daan (Offering of Lamps): In the evening, lighting lamps in temples, under the Tulsi plant, and floating them in water bodies is considered highly meritorious. This act symbolizes the removal of the darkness of ignorance.
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Tulsi Vivah Conclusion: The ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant to Lord Shaligram (Vishnu), which begins on Prabodhini Ekadashi, officially concludes on Kartik Purnima.
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Satyanarayan Vrat: Many households perform the Satyanarayan Puja and fast throughout the day, breaking it only after sighting the moon.
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Annakuta: In many temples, a "mountain of food" (Annakuta) is offered to the deities and then distributed as Prasad to the community.
Significance Across Faiths
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Sikhism (Guru Nanak Gurpurab): Kartik Purnima 2026 also marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. It is a day of massive processions, Kirtans, and community service (Langar).
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Jainism: Jains celebrate this day as "Kartik Purnima" by visiting pilgrimages like Shatrunjaya hills, marking the end of the four-month monsoon retreat (Chaturmas).
Planning: Dev Deepawali in Varanasi
If you plan to witness Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, the city will be at its peak capacity on Tuesday, November 24. The Ghats are illuminated with millions of lamps shortly after sunset. It is recommended to book boat tours and accommodations at least six months in advance for this specific date.
कार्तिक पूर्णिमा का महत्व और कथा हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिये, क्लिक करें