Kartik Purnima 2026: Quick Answer
Kartik Purnima 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. The Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM on 23 November to 8:23 PM on 24 November. The holy snan (bath) is taken on the morning of 24 November, ideally in the brahma muhurat before sunrise (about 5:15–6:03 AM in Delhi, approximate), followed by daan, Satyanarayan puja and Vishnu-Shiva worship. Moonrise in Delhi is at 5:01 PM, and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is celebrated the same evening (Pradosh muhurat 5:08–7:47 PM in Varanasi). It is also Guru Nanak Jayanti (Prakash Parv).
| Detail | Timing |
|---|---|
| Kartik Purnima | Tuesday, 24 November 2026 |
| Purnima tithi | 11:42 PM, 23 Nov – 8:23 PM, 24 Nov |
| Snan (brahma muhurat, Delhi, approx.) | ~5:15 – 6:03 AM |
| Moonrise (Delhi) | 5:01 PM |
| Dev Deepawali (Varanasi Pradosh) | 5:08 – 7:47 PM |
| Vaikuntha Chaturdashi | Monday, 23 November |
| Bhishma Panchak | 20 – 24 November |
Significance
- •Tripurari Purnima: Lord Shiva destroyed the three cities of the demon Tripurasura on this day; the gods celebrated by lighting lamps in Kashi — hence Dev Deepawali.
- •Matsya avatar: Lord Vishnu's first incarnation is associated with this Purnima.
- •End of Kartik snan: The month-long Kartik bathing vow, from Sharad Purnima, concludes today.
- •Guru Nanak Jayanti: The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
- •Pushkar snan: In Rajasthan, the holy dip in Pushkar Lake on Kartik Purnima is especially sacred; the Pushkar fair peaks around it. See Pushkar and the Kartik panchang.
How to Observe
- 1Snan: bathe before sunrise in a river, lake or at home with a little Gangajal.
- 2Arghya to the Sun.
- 3Puja: Vishnu, Lakshmi and Shiva; many perform the Satyanarayan katha.
- 4Daan: grain, warm clothes, blankets, ghee, jaggery, sesame, lamps.
- 5Evening deep daan at home, Tulsi, temples and riverbanks — see why deep daan on Kartik Purnima.
- 6Moon arghya after moonrise (5:01 PM in Delhi).
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi (23 November)
The day before Kartik Purnima is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, when Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together — bel leaves to Vishnu and tulsi to Shiva. Legend says Vishnu offered his lotus eye to Shiva and received the Sudarshan Chakra.
Satyanarayan Katha
Set up a banana-leaf mandap, worship Ganesha and the kalash, offer panchamrit, tulsi, fruits and panjiri, hear the five chapters of the katha and distribute prasad.
Kartik Purnima in Rajasthan
Pushkar is the main centre, with the Brahma temple and the sacred lake; the Kolayat fair near Bikaner and the Chandrabhaga fair in Jhalawar also take place around this time.
Summary
Kartik Purnima 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November. Take a holy dip before sunrise, worship Vishnu and Shiva, give charity, light lamps in the evening and offer arghya to the moon after 5:01 PM (Delhi). Purnima ends at 8:23 PM.
