కార్తీక పౌర్ణమి
Kartika Purnima
21 November 2026 | Sacred Full Moon
Kartika Purnima is the full moon day of the sacred month of Kartika, considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated as Tripurari Purnima, Dev Diwali, and Guru Nanak Jayanti, marking multiple divine events.
Significance
Kartika Purnima commemorates Lord Shiva's destruction of the three demonic cities (Tripurasura) on this day, earning him the name Tripurari. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu took his Matsya (fish) avatar on this day. For Sikhs, it marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev. The entire month of Kartika is sacred to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, and Kartika Purnima is its most sacred day. Bathing in the holy Ganga, Godavari, or Krishna rivers on this day is said to grant moksha.
Date & Muhurtam
Kartika Purnima 2026 falls on Saturday, 21 November. The Purnima tithi prevails through sunrise and most of the day. The most auspicious time is Brahma Muhurtam (4:30 AM to 6:00 AM) for the holy bath, and Pradosh Kala (evening twilight) for lighting deepams in temples. Satyanarayana Puja is performed during the day or evening.
Rituals & Traditions
Devotees take a holy bath in sacred rivers before sunrise — Ganga Snanam is considered most meritorious. Lighting 365 wicks (Akasha Deepam) in temples and homes is a key tradition. Satyanarayana Vrata Puja is performed by many families. Devotees visit Shiva and Vishnu temples, perform Tulsi Puja, and float lighted lamps on rivers in the evening (Dev Diwali). Charity, especially feeding brahmins and the poor, is emphasized.
Regional Variations
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the entire Kartika month involves daily temple visits, lighting deepams, and reading the Kartika Puranam. Karthika Vana Bhojanam (forest picnic with usiri/amla tree puja) is a unique tradition. In Varanasi, Dev Diwali is celebrated grandly with thousands of diyas illuminating the ghats. Tamil Nadu celebrates Karthigai Deepam with rows of lamps. Karnataka observes it with similar reverence at Shiva temples. Punjab celebrates it as Guru Nanak Gurpurab with prabhat pheris and langar.
Mantras & Prayers
కార్తీకే పౌర్ణమాస్యాం తు ఆకాశే దీపదానతః |
సర్వపాప వినిర్ముక్తో విష్ణులోకం స గచ్ఛతి ||
By offering a sky lamp (Akasha Deepam) on the full moon of Kartika, one is freed from all sins and attains the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Fasting Rules
Devotees observe a full-day fast on Kartika Purnima, consuming only fruits, milk, and water until the evening puja. Grains, onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food are strictly avoided throughout Kartika month by serious observers. The fast is broken after Satyanarayana Puja with the prasad of sapatham (sweet semolina-banana-milk mixture). Many devotees observe Kartika Somavara vrats (Monday fasts) throughout the month, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Married women fast for the well-being of their family.
About Kartika Purnima (కార్తీక పౌర్ణమి)
Mythological Background
Kartika Purnima is the full moon of Karthika month — considered one of the most auspicious days in the entire Hindu calendar. It commemorates Lord Shiva's defeat of the three demon brothers (Tripurasura) at this exact moment, earning him the name Tripurari. The same day in Vaishnava tradition is Deva Diwali — when the gods come down to bathe in the Ganga at Varanasi, lighting countless lamps along the ghats. This is also the day Lord Vishnu took his Matsya (fish) avatar. Sikhs observe this day as Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
Detailed Rituals and Observance
A predawn holy bath (Karthika Snan) in a sacred river, lake, or — for those who cannot travel — adding a few drops of Ganga water to the home bath water. Lighting 108 oil lamps (Deepa Daana) is the most distinctive ritual. The Sky Lamp (Akasha Deepam) is hoisted during the entire month of Karthika, peaking on Purnima night. Tulsi Vivah (the marriage of Tulsi plant to Shaligram) is performed by many on Karthika Purnima. Visiting a Shiva temple and offering bilva leaves is essential. Kalpavasa pilgrims at Allahabad/Prayagraj end their month-long austerity on this day.
Regional Variations Across India
Varanasi sees the most spectacular Deva Diwali celebrations with millions of lamps lit along all 84 ghats — declared a UNESCO intangible heritage candidate. Andhra-Telangana observes it as Karthika Pournami at major Shiva temples (Srisailam, Kalahasti). Tamil Nadu observes it as Karthigai Deepam, lighting lamps in front of every house. Pushkar (Rajasthan) hosts the famous Pushkar Camel Fair on Karthika Purnima. In Bihar/UP, Chhath Puja begins shortly after. Kerala observes Trikarthika at the Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleshwar temple where a giant lamp is lit atop the hill.
Mantras and Prayers
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (108 times) for Shiva worship. Vishnu Sahasranama recitation in evening for Vishnu blessings. Karthika Mahatmyam reading throughout the month. Tulsi Stotra during Tulsi Vivah. Specific Karthika Purnima mantra: "Karthikya Sannidhau Snanam Sarvapapa Pranashanam" (bathing during this day washes all sins).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Karthika Purnima called Deva Diwali?
According to Vaishnava tradition, the gods (devas) come down to earth on this day to celebrate Vishnu's victory over the demons and bathe in the Ganga at Varanasi. The lamps (diwali) lit on this day welcome the gods, hence "Deva Diwali" (Diwali of the gods).
Is bathing in a river required for Karthika Purnima?
Traditionally yes, in a sacred river or lake. For those unable to travel, the alternative is adding Ganga water (or just chanting "Om Ganga Mata Namaha") to the home bath water and visiting a Shiva temple in the evening with lit lamps.
What is the difference between Karthika Purnima and Karthigai Deepam?
They are the same day in Tamil Nadu (Karthigai Deepam) but the rituals differ. Tamil Nadu emphasizes lighting the Maha Deepam atop Arunachala hill (Tiruvannamalai); North India emphasizes the Ganga snan and lamp-lighting along ghats.
Related Observances
Diwali · Maha Shivaratri · Vedic Calendar 2026 · Muhurtam Finder
All dates and timings on this page are computed using the Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa — the Indian national standard since 1957. Editorial methodology reviewed by Pandit Ramachandra Sharma (Jyotisha Visharada, 22+ years of practice in South Indian Vedic tradition).
Puja Samagri Checklist (Shopping List)
Procure these items 1-2 days before the festival:
| # | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sesame oil + 108 cotton wicks (Karthika Deepam) |
| 2 | Tulasi plant (Brindavanam) |
| 3 | Banana leaf |
| 4 | Coconut + bananas |
| 5 | Akshat + kumkum + turmeric |
| 6 | White + yellow flowers |
| 7 | Bilva leaves |
| 8 | Camphor + ghee |
| 9 | Naivedyam: pulihora, garelu, payasam |
Regional Variations
Andhra: Karthika Deepam (most important Kartika observance). Tamil Nadu: Karthigai Deepam — Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleshwar hill-top deepam (massive). Varanasi: Dev Deepawali on ghats. Punjab: Guru Nanak Jayanti same day. Pushkar: famous camel fair.