What is Kartik Purnima?

Kartik Purnima — the full-moon of the sacred month of Kartik — is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs with great reverence. It goes by many names: Tripuri Purnima or Tripurari Purnima (commemorating Lord Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura), Dev Diwali (the Diwali of the gods), and in many Vaishnava traditions it is a culmination of the Kartik vrata and Radha–Krishna rituals.

Kartik Purnima 2026 — Muhurat (New Delhi reference)

Important: Tithi and moonrise vary by location — please confirm with your local panchang before scheduling rituals. (Source – Drikpanchang)

Why Kartik Purnima is important

Kartik Purnima carries layered significance across communities:

• Vaishnava tradition: Celebrates Radha–Krishna lore and Raslila performances; many devotees end their month-long Kartik vrata with special satsangs and kirtans.
• Shaiva tradition: Marks Shiva’s Tripurasura victory — hence the name Tripuri Purnima/Tripurari Purnima and widespread illumination of lamps.
• Tulsi & Vishnu observances: Tulsi Vivah (the ceremonial wedding of Tulsi and Shaligram/Vishnu) often concludes in Kartik and is celebrated around this time.
• Dev Diwali & pilgrimage: Many ghats and temples light thousands of lamps at sunrise and moonrise; pilgrims take the Kartik Snan (sacred bath) for merit and moksha.

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Notable celebrations include the Jagannath Ratha/temple festivities in Puri, Dev Diwali ghats lit in Varanasi, Tulsi Vivah events in North India, and Kartikeya observances in the south. In some states Kartik Purnima is a public holiday (eg. Odisha & Telangana).

Kartik Purnima — Common rituals & Puja Vidhi

Below is a simple, practical puja flow devotees commonly follow:

1. Wake before sunrise and take a holy bath (Kartik Snan) at a river, ghat or a clean water source. If pilgrimage isn’t possible, add Ganga jal to home bathwater.
2. Set up a clean puja space with images/idols of Lord Vishnu, Shiva, or Radha–Krishna as per family tradition. Light ghee/mustard oil diyas.
3. Perform Satyanarayan Puja or a short Lakshmi/Vishnu puja — offer flowers, incense, Panchamrit, fruits and sweets.
4. Read the Satyanarayan Katha or Kartik Purnima katha (regional variant). Offer charity (anna, clothes, lamps) especially to brahmacharis/priests.
5. For Tulsi Vivah — arrange ceremonial wedding rites between Tulsi and Shaligram or Krishna murti (as per local custom).
6. At dusk and moonrise, light lamps on ghats or in the puja room to celebrate Dev Diwali and pray for ancestors (pitrs).

Who benefits from Kartik Purnima observance?

• Those seeking spiritual progress (dharma & moksha) and merit from Kartik vrata.
• Families performing Tulsi Vivah for marital harmony and blessings.
• Devotees seeking relief from Kartik dosha via Kartik Dosha Nivaran pujas.

Benefits & spiritual outcomes

Scriptures and tradition credit Kartik Purnima with special blessings: removal of obstacles, increased spiritual merit, ancestral peace (when combined with charity/shraddha), and auspicious results from Tulsi Vivah and Kartik Snan. Many communities believe lighting lamps and giving dakshina on this day accrues multiplied merit.

Puja offerings & recommended items

• Fresh flowers (white/yellow), incense, ghee for diyas
• Panchamrit, fresh fruit, Payasam / kheer for prasad
• Samagri set for Satyanarayan / Rudrabhishek (if performing)
• Oil/ghee lamps for Dev Diwali lamp lighting

Dos & Don’ts for Kartik Purnima

• Do: Take Kartik Snan, light diyas, donate food/clothes, recite Vishnu / Shiva stotras per your tradition.
• Don’t: Avoid arguing or wasteful behaviour; maintain sattvic conduct; avoid meat & alcohol on the day if observing vrat.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Kartik Purnima in 2026?

Kartik Purnima is observed on 24 November 2026. For New Delhi the Purnima tithi begins 23 Nov 2026 at 11:42 PM and ends 24 Nov 2026 at 08:23 PM IST — verify for your city’s panchang.

What is Kartik Snan?

Kartik Snan is the sacred early-morning bath performed during Kartik month and on Kartik Purnima many devotees take a holy dip in rivers/ghats for purification and merit.

What is Dev Diwali?

Dev Diwali — literally ‘the gods’ Diwali’ — is the night when lamps are lit on river ghats and temple courtyards to honour the gods; Kartik Purnima is widely marked by this illumination.