Kartik Purnima & Dev Deepawali 2026: 24 November Date and Timings
Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali 2026 are on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. The Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM on 23 November to 8:23 PM on 24 November (IST). In Varanasi the evening Pradosh period for lighting lamps is about 5:09 PM to 7:54 PM.
| Date | Tuesday, 24 November 2026 |
| Purnima tithi | 11:42 PM, 23 Nov to 8:23 PM, 24 Nov 2026 (IST) |
| Kartik snan (holy bath) | Morning of 24 November, traditionally before sunrise |
| Dev Deepawali Pradosh (Varanasi) | about 5:09 PM to 7:54 PM |
| Sunset 24 Nov | New Delhi 5:25 PM · Varanasi 5:09 PM · Kolkata 4:52 PM · Mumbai 6:00 PM |
What is Kartik Purnima?
Kartik Purnima is the full moon of Kartik, considered one of the holiest days of the year. It closes the month of Kartik, during which many devotees bathe before dawn, light lamps and keep vows. On Purnima, large numbers take a holy dip in the Ganga and other sacred rivers and give charity (daan).
Several traditions meet on this day. It is Tripurari Purnima, celebrating Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura; the day of Vishnu’s Matsya avatar in some accounts; Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) for Sikhs; and the end of the Pushkar fair in Rajasthan and the start of the Sonepur fair in Bihar. In Odisha, Boita Bandana is celebrated by floating small boats in memory of ancient sea trade.
What is Dev Deepawali?
Dev Deepawali (“the Diwali of the gods”) is celebrated in Varanasi on Kartik Purnima. The ghats along the Ganga are lit with lakhs of earthen lamps, and the Ganga Aarti is performed on a grand scale. Tradition holds that the gods descend to bathe in the Ganga and celebrate Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura.
How Kartik Purnima is observed
- Kartik snan: a bath in a holy river or at home before sunrise.
- Deep daan: lighting and floating lamps in rivers and at temples in the evening.
- Satyanarayan Katha: many families perform the Satyanarayan puja on the full moon.
- Charity: giving food, clothes and lamps to those in need.
- Fasting: some devotees fast until moonrise.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dev Deepawali 2026 in Varanasi?
On Tuesday, 24 November 2026, with lamps lit in the evening Pradosh period. Check local announcements for the official Ganga Aarti schedule.
When does Kartik Purnima 2026 tithi start and end?
It starts at 11:42 PM on 23 November and ends at 8:23 PM on 24 November 2026, IST.
