About Kartik Purnima
Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the month of Kartika, is regarded as one of the holiest days of the year. It closes the sacred month of Kartika, during which many devotees bathe early, light lamps and keep vows. On this day, people take a holy dip in rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna and Narmada and offer deepdaan by floating lamps on the water.
The day is also called Tripurari Purnima, honouring Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura, and some traditions link it with Vishnu's Matsya avatar. In Varanasi it is celebrated as Dev Deepawali, when the ghats glow with countless diyas in the belief that the gods themselves descend to bathe in the Ganga. In Rajasthan, the Pushkar fair reaches its peak with a sacred bath in Pushkar lake. Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Gurpurab, on this full moon, Jains begin the Palitana pilgrimage, and in Odisha families float small boats for Boita Bandana, remembering their seafaring ancestors.
How it is observed
- Taking a holy dip in a river or sacred lake early in the day
- Floating lamps on the water and lighting diyas at home and in temples
- Worshipping Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Tulsi
- Giving food, lamps or clothes in charity
- Visiting Dev Deepawali in Varanasi or the Pushkar fair, for some families
Kartik Purnima dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Friday, 15 November 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Wednesday, 5 November 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Tuesday, 24 November 2026 | Next |
| 2027 | Sunday, 14 November 2027 | Upcoming |
| 2028 | Thursday, 2 November 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Wednesday, 21 November 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Sunday, 10 November 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated across India
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi)
Dev Deepawali
The ghats of Varanasi are lit with lakhs of lamps for the gods, with a grand Ganga aarti.
Punjab and Sikh communities
Guru Nanak Jayanti, Gurpurab
Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev with Prabhat Pheris, Akhand Path, Nagar Kirtan and langar.
Odisha
Boita Bandana, Bali Jatra
Before dawn people float small boats with lamps to remember the sea voyages of Odia traders, and Cuttack holds the large Bali Jatra fair.
Rajasthan (Pushkar)
Pushkar Mela
The Pushkar fair reaches its peak, and pilgrims take a holy dip in Pushkar lake.
Bihar (Sonepur)
Sonepur Mela
The famous Harihar Kshetra fair begins with a holy dip at the meeting of the Ganga and Gandak.
Tamil Nadu
Karthigai Deepam
Tamil Nadu lights lamps on Karthigai Deepam, set by Krittika nakshatra in the month of Karthigai, so it can fall on a different day. A huge flame is lit atop the Tiruvannamalai hill.
Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti on this full moon; in Tamil Nadu the related Karthigai Deepam follows the Krittika nakshatra and may fall nearby.
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