Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) कार्तिक पूर्णिमा
Falls on Kartik Purnima · usually November
Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, usually in November. It is among the holiest full moons, ideal for a holy dip, lamp-offering (deep daan) and charity; Dev Deepawali in Varanasi lights the ghats with thousands of lamps.
Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) at a glance
| Falls on | Kartik Purnima |
| Usual month | November |
| Category | Festival |
The story behind Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali)
Kartik Purnima, the full moon of Kartik, celebrates Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura (as Tripurari) and is also revered as the birth of Kartikeya and, for Sikhs, the birth of Guru Nanak (Gurpurab).
Significance of Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali)
It is among the holiest full moons, ideal for a holy dip, lamp-offering (deep daan) and charity; Dev Deepawali in Varanasi lights the ghats with thousands of lamps.
How Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) is celebrated
- A holy dip in the Ganga or a sacred river at dawn
- Deep daan — floating and offering lamps on the river
- Charity, fasting and worship of Vishnu and Shiva
- Tulsi Vivah in the days around it
Regional variations
Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is spectacular; Pushkar in Rajasthan holds its famous fair and lake-bath; Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Gurpurab.
Festive foods of Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali)
Traditional dishes prepared for Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) include kheer, sattvik prasad and fruit.
Quick tips
- Offer lamps (deep daan) at a river in the evening
- A holy dip at dawn is considered especially meritorious
Choosing the muhurat on Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali)
Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) falls on Kartik Purnima. To choose an auspicious time on the day, open the muhurat planner for your city and check the day's choghadiya and the Rahu Kaal to avoid. For the exact date this year, see the panchang calendar, and for weddings or a housewarming near this festival, confirm the muhurat with a qualified pandit.
Hindu festival dates follow the lunar calendar and vary each year; regional traditions can differ by a day. For the exact date this year, confirm with your local panchang or pandit.
Common questions
When is Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) celebrated?
Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) falls on Kartik Purnima in the Hindu lunar calendar, usually in November. The exact Gregorian date changes each year — confirm with your local panchang or the panchang calendar.
Why is Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) celebrated?
Kartik Purnima, the full moon of Kartik, celebrates Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura (as Tripurari) and is also revered as the birth of Kartikeya and, for Sikhs, the birth of Guru Nanak (Gurpurab).
How is Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) observed?
Common observances include A holy dip in the Ganga or a sacred river at dawn; Deep daan — floating and offering lamps on the river; Charity, fasting and worship of Vishnu and Shiva; Tulsi Vivah in the days around it.
How is Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) celebrated in different regions?
Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is spectacular; Pushkar in Rajasthan holds its famous fair and lake-bath; Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Gurpurab.
What foods are made for Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali)?
Traditional dishes include kheer, sattvik prasad and fruit.