Kartik Purnima 2026: Date, Ganga Snan & Dev Deepawali
Kartik Purnima 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November. The full moon of Kartik closes the holiest month of the year with a dawn Ganga snan, deep daan, and in the evening, Dev Deepawali on the ghats of Varanasi. Here are the tithi timings and how the day is observed.
Date and timings at a glance
- Kartik Purnima
- Tuesday, 24 November 2026
- Purnima tithi begins
- 11:42 PM, 23 November
- Purnima tithi ends
- 8:23 PM, 24 November
- Dev Deepawali (Varanasi)
- Evening of 24 November
- Pradosh Kaal, Varanasi
- About 5:08 PM to 7:47 PM
Tithi times are for New Delhi (IST). Pradosh Kaal is for Varanasi; some panchangs give a window a few minutes different.
Ganga snan and deep daan
A bath in the Ganga or another sacred river on Kartik Purnima is considered among the most meritorious of the year, and large crowds gather at Haridwar, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Garhmukteshwar. Because Purnima tithi is current at sunrise on 24 November, the snan is taken that morning, traditionally before sunrise. It is followed by daan, especially of food, clothes and lamps, and by deep daan, floating or lighting diyas at a river, temple or Tulsi plant in the evening.
Dev Deepawali in Varanasi
Dev Deepawali, the 'Diwali of the gods', is celebrated on the evening of Kartik Purnima, about two weeks after Diwali. It marks Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura, which is why the day is also called Tripuri or Tripurari Purnima. The ghats of Kashi are lined with lakhs of diyas during Pradosh Kaal, about 5:08 PM to 7:47 PM in Varanasi this year, followed by a grand Ganga Aarti.
Lighting diyas at home? Check your city's sunset and the evening Choghadiya, or see the full day in our Panchang.
What else falls around Kartik Purnima
- Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is observed the day before, when Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together.
- The five-day Bhishma Panchak, which begins on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, ends on Kartik Purnima, and so does the month-long Kartik snan.
- Pushkar's famous camel fair and Sonepur's cattle fair build up to Kartik Purnima.
Read about the start of this sacred fortnight in our Dev Uthani Ekadashi 2026 guide. The wedding season is also in full swing; see the Vivah Muhurat 2026-27 dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Kartik Purnima in 2026?
Kartik Purnima is on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM on 23 November to 8:23 PM on 24 November (IST, New Delhi), so the snan, puja and deep daan are all done on 24 November.
When is Dev Deepawali 2026 in Varanasi?
Dev Deepawali is celebrated on the evening of Kartik Purnima, Tuesday 24 November 2026. The Pradosh Kaal in Varanasi is about 5:08 PM to 7:47 PM, when the ghats are lit with diyas; some panchangs give a window a few minutes different.
What is the best time for Ganga snan on Kartik Purnima?
Tradition favours bathing at dawn, ideally before sunrise, on 24 November, since Purnima tithi is current at sunrise that day. If you cannot reach a river, adding a few drops of Gangajal to bathwater at home is a widely accepted alternative.
Why do some calendars show Purnima starting on 23 November?
Purnima tithi begins late at night on 23 November, so some calendars mark the start on that date. Festivals are observed on the day the tithi prevails at sunrise, which in 2026 is 24 November.
Want the full day's tithi, nakshatra and timings? Check the Panchang or generate your free Kundli.
Disclaimer: Dates and times are compiled from published panchangs for general information. Timings vary by location and local tradition, so please confirm with your local panchang before finalising plans.