Why Deep Daan on Kartik Purnima? Quick Answer
Deep daan (offering lamps) on Kartik Purnima celebrates Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura, when the gods lit lamps in Kashi — the origin of Dev Deepawali. The scriptures also call Kartik the month of lamps: offering lamps throughout Kartik, and especially on its Purnima, is said to remove darkness and sins, honour the ancestors and please Lord Vishnu, who has just awakened from Chaturmas. In 2026, Kartik Purnima is on Tuesday, 24 November; light lamps in the evening (Pradosh), when the Purnima tithi still prevails (until 8:23 PM).
The Reasons
- 1Tripurari victory and Dev Deepawali: Shiva destroyed the three demon cities (Tripura) with one arrow on Kartik Purnima; the gods descended to Kashi and lit lamps. Hence the Dev Deepawali of Varanasi — the Diwali of the gods (Pradosh 5:08–7:47 PM in Varanasi in 2026).
- 2Kartik is the month of lamps: The Padma and Skanda Puranas praise Kartik deep daan above many other rituals; lamps lit before Vishnu and Tulsi in Kartik are said to give immense merit.
- 3Vishnu's awakening: After Dev Uthani Ekadashi, lamps welcome the awakened Lord.
- 4Ancestors: Lamps on riverbanks and at crossroads are believed to guide ancestors.
- 5Inner light: The lamp symbolises knowledge removing ignorance.
Where to Offer Lamps
- •At home: main door, puja place, Tulsi, kitchen, water source
- •Temples of Vishnu and Shiva
- •Riverbanks and lakes — Ganga ghats, Pushkar, local ponds
- •Under a pipal tree
- •Floating lamps (deep pravah) on leaf boats, where allowed
How to Do Deep Daan
- 1After sunset, take clay lamps with ghee or sesame oil.
- 2Worship them with roli, akshat and flowers.
- 3Light them while chanting "Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhanasampadam, shatrubuddhi vinashaya deepajyotir namo'stu te."
- 4Offer them at the chosen places, with a prayer for family, ancestors and all beings.
How Many Lamps?
Commonly 5, 11, 21, 51 or 108 — or 365 wicks in one lamp (a popular custom symbolising a lamp for every day of the year). Sincerity matters more than number.
Eco Tips
Use clay lamps and leaf boats, avoid plastic and thermocol, and don't pollute rivers.
Oil and Wick for Each Lamp
Ghee for Vishnu and Tulsi, ghee or sesame oil for Shiva, sesame oil for ancestors at riverbanks, and mustard or sesame oil for the main door. Ghee is considered best in Kartik.
Akashdeep
A lamp hung on a tall bamboo pole on the roof throughout Kartik is called akashdeep; it is believed to guide the ancestors and is concluded on Kartik Purnima.
Festivals of Light Across India
Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, deep daan and aarti at Pushkar, Boita Bandana boat lamps in Odisha, and rows of lamps in South Indian homes and temples.
Summary
Deep daan on Kartik Purnima (24 November 2026) celebrates Shiva's Tripurari victory and Dev Deepawali, completes the Kartik month of lamps and honours Vishnu and the ancestors. Light lamps at home, Tulsi, temples and water bodies in the evening before Purnima ends at 8:23 PM. See Kartik Purnima 2026.
