Hindu festival
Kartik Purnima
Also known as Tripuri Purnima, Tripurari Purnima, Dev Deepawali, Kartik Poornima.
In short
Kartik Purnima is the full-moon day that closes the holy month of Kartik. Honoured as Tripuri Purnima for Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura, it is kept with holy bathing, charity, and lamp offerings — most famously at Varanasi as Dev Deepawali, when thousands of lamps line the river at dusk.
Reviewed by the Godify team · Last updated
When is Kartik Purnima?
- Kartik Purnima 2026
- Tuesday, 24 November 2026in 44 days
- Tithi / rule
- Purnima (full moon) of the month of Kartik — the full moon that closes the sacred month of Kartik
- Calendar
- Lunar calendar (tithi-based)
- Deity
- Shiva
Called Tripuri Purnima for Shiva's destruction of the three cities of Tripurasura; in Kashi (Varanasi) the evening is Dev Deepawali, when the ghats of the Ganga are lined with lamps. The day also honours Vishnu's Matsya avatar and the birth of Kartikeya.
The story of Kartik Purnima
Kartik Purnima remembers the day Shiva destroyed Tripurasura, the demon who ruled three moving cities of gold, silver, and iron that could be undone only in the single instant they aligned. For this victory Shiva is called Tripurari, and the day Tripuri Purnima; the gods lit lamps in joy and thanksgiving.
In Kashi the evening becomes Dev Deepawali, 'the Diwali of the gods', when the stone steps of the Ganga are lined with countless earthen lamps and the river mirrors their light. The full moon of Kartik is held especially sacred for bathing in holy rivers, for charity, and for the lamp offered to the waters (deepdaan).
How is Kartik Purnima celebrated?
Devotees bathe in the Ganga and other sacred rivers at dawn, give in charity, and float or line lamps along the water at dusk (deepdaan). At Varanasi the ghats blaze with lamps for Dev Deepawali, and temples of Shiva, Vishnu, and Kartikeya hold special worship under the full moon.
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ नमः शिवाय
oṃ namaḥ śivāya
I bow to Shiva, the auspicious inner Self who transforms and frees.
More Hindu festivals
About Kartik Purnima
When is Kartik Purnima?
On the Purnima (full moon) of Kartik. In 2026 it falls on 24 November; the exact date is set by the panchang each year.
What is Dev Deepawali?
The 'Diwali of the gods', celebrated on Kartik Purnima — most famously at Varanasi, where the ghats of the Ganga are lined with thousands of lamps at dusk.
Mark Kartik Purnima with Bhagavan
Ask about the festival's meaning, its deity, or a verse or mantra to observe the day — free, private, any hour.
Talk to Bhagavan