Dev Deepawali and Kartik Purnima 2026: Meaning, Rituals and Diyas

Dev Deepawali and Kartik Purnima fall on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon that closes the month of Kartik, a little over two weeks after Diwali. Dev Deepawali, "the Diwali of the gods", is celebrated most famously in Varanasi, where the ghats are lined with clay lamps at dusk; across India, families mark Kartik Purnima with a holy dip, deep daan (the offering of lamps) and diyas at home. The same day is Guru Nanak Jayanti, when Sikhs celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

The start and end of the Purnima tithi and any puja muhurat vary by city, so confirm them with a local panchang or your priest.

What Dev Deepawali means

Diwali, on the new moon of Kartik, is the festival of lights in our homes. Dev Deepawali, on the full moon that follows, is believed to be the night the gods themselves come down to the banks of the Ganga at Kashi to bathe and celebrate — and the lamps are lit to welcome them. Whether you hold that as belief or as poetry, the sight in Varanasi, ghat after ghat outlined in flame and reflected in the river, is one of the most moving in India.

The Tripurari Purnima story

The day is also called Tripurari Purnima. In a story told in the Puranas, the asura Tripurasura — in many versions, three asura brothers — ruled three flying fortresses together called Tripura, which could be destroyed only by a single arrow. When they tormented the three worlds, Shiva, as Tripurari, "the enemy of Tripura", destroyed all three with one arrow. The gods are said to have celebrated with lamps, and many see Dev Deepawali as a continuation of that celebration. Versions of the story differ, and some traditions link the day with other events too, such as Vishnu's Matsya avatar.

Kartik Purnima rituals: Kartik snan, deep daan and daan

Kartik snan

Kartik is regarded as one of the holiest months, especially dear to Vishnu, and many devotees bathe before sunrise every day of the month, ideally in a river. Kartik Purnima is the culmination of this Kartik snan, and crowds gather for a dip in the Ganga at Varanasi and Prayagraj, at Pushkar in Rajasthan, and at rivers and temple tanks everywhere. If you can't reach a river, many families add a few drops of Gangajal to their bathwater at home before dawn.

Deep daan

Deep daan means offering lamps. At the river, devotees float small diyas in leaf cups with flowers and let them drift. Temples and ghats light long rows of lamps, and at home many families light one at the Tulsi plant, one at the doorstep and one near water. Choose clay diyas and natural leaf cups over plastic or thermocol.

Charity and fasting

Many people keep a fast or eat simply, hear the Satyanarayan katha, and give daan — food, warm clothes, lamps or grain — as the weather turns cooler. Practice varies by region and family.

Tulsi and the Kartik month

Through Kartik, many households light a lamp at the Tulsi plant every evening. Tulsi is regarded as dear to Vishnu, and Tulsi Vivah, the ceremonial wedding of Tulsi to Vishnu as Shaligram or Krishna, is observed during this season on a day that differs by tradition. Some families also hang an akash deep, a lamp raised high on a pole or on the terrace, through the month. Kartik Purnima is often treated as the closing day of these observances, so it is a natural night to light the Tulsi lamp with extra care.

Lighting diyas at home if you can't travel to Varanasi

You don't need to be on the ghats to take part. A simple home Dev Deepawali looks like this:

• Clean the entrance and the mandir in the afternoon, and draw a small rangoli at the door.
• Offer evening puja: if you keep a Shivling or a Shiva idol, offer water, bel leaves and white flowers.
• Light diyas at dusk at the mandir, the main door, the Tulsi plant, windowsills, and the balcony or terrace.
• Make a home deep daan: float a few diyas in a wide brass urli or basin of water, surrounded by petals.
• Choose a number that feels right. Many families light an odd number such as 5, 11 or 21, and some light a single lamp with many wicks, believed to count for a whole year of lamps.
• Do aarti and share prasad with the family.
• Put out lamps before sleeping, or leave only one in a stable, draft-free spot away from curtains.

Our hand-painted, wax-filled clay diyas are made in our own workshop. If you only need plain lamps for the evening, a refill pack of six wax-filled clay diyas can be ordered as a single piece. For the Shiva puja itself, our guide to a simple daily Shiva puja at home walks through each step.

Worshipping Shiva on Tripurari Purnima

Because of the Tripurari story, Shiva is worshipped with special devotion on this day, above all in Varanasi, his city. At home, devotees commonly perform abhishek with water or milk, offer bel patra, white flowers and a lamp, and chant "Om Namah Shivaya". If you are thinking of keeping a Shivling at home, our guide to a Shivling at home covers placement and daily care, and the Shivling collection, marble Shiva idols and the Shiva deity page show the options.

Visiting Varanasi for Dev Deepawali: practical tips

If you plan to be in Varanasi for Dev Deepawali, plan early — it is one of the busiest nights of the year in the city.

• Book rooms and boats well ahead. Stays near the ghats and evening boat seats fill up weeks in advance; book through your hotel or an operator you can verify.
• Reach the ghats early. Crowds build through the afternoon, and roads near the ghats are often closed to vehicles, so expect to walk.
• Agree a meeting point. Mobile networks can struggle in dense crowds, so decide where to regroup if you get separated.
• Don't board overloaded boats, and ask for life jackets.
• Travel light. Keep your phone and wallet secure, and carry water and a shawl for the cool evening.
• Respect the rituals. Give space to people performing aarti and deep daan, and ask before photographing anyone at prayer.
• With elders or small children, consider a quieter ghat, a boat or a rooftop view rather than the busiest steps.

What to light and gift for Dev Deepawali

Lamps are the natural gift for this night. Brass diyas and lamps last for years, and larger brass lamps, bells and thalis for community or temple celebrations are in our temple supplies range. If you are sending lamps to a team, a society committee or a temple group, the Diyas & light hamper collection brings together painted diya sets, brass diya pairs and festive boxes. Most hampers need two to four weeks, so order well before the day. For the festivals that lead up to Kartik Purnima, our guide to the five days of Diwali explains each one.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dev Deepawali in 2026?

Dev Deepawali falls on Kartik Purnima, Tuesday 24 November 2026. The Purnima tithi's timings vary by city, so check a local panchang if you are timing a snan or puja.

Is Dev Deepawali the same as Kartik Purnima?

They fall on the same day. Kartik Purnima is observed across India with holy dips, lamps and charity, while the name Dev Deepawali is most closely tied to the lamp-lit ghats of Varanasi.

Why is Kartik Purnima called Tripurari Purnima?

It is linked to the story of Shiva as Tripurari destroying the three flying cities of Tripura. The gods are believed to have celebrated that victory with lamps, which is one of the meanings given to Dev Deepawali.

How many diyas should I light at home?

There is no fixed number. Many families light an odd number such as 5, 11 or 21, at the mandir, the doorway, the Tulsi plant and near water. Follow your family's custom and keep every lamp safely placed.

Is Guru Nanak Jayanti on the same day in 2026?

Yes. Guru Nanak Jayanti, also called Gurpurab or Prakash Purab, falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026. Sikhs mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji with prayer, kirtan, processions and langar at gurdwaras.