Kartik Purnima 2026: The Full Moon of Blessings and Joy!

Kartik Purnima is a significant Hindu festival that falls on the full moon day in the month of Kartik. It is a time when devotees perform acts of charity and kindness. Let us know more about When is Kartik Purnima this year, its rituals and the stories behind it!

Kartik Purnima 2026 Date And Time

Kartik Purnima Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Tithi Begins: 23:42 PM, 23 November 2026
Tithi Ends: 20:23 PM, 24 November 2026

What is Kartik Purnima?

Kartik Purnima is one of the most sacred full moon days in the Hindu calendar, occurring in the holy month of Kartik (typically November). It is also known as Tripuri Purnima or Dev Deepawali, the “Diwali of the Gods.”

This day marks the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura. It is believed that on this night, the gods descend to Earth to celebrate in the holy city of Varanasi.

Read about All Purnima significance and dates

What is the Kartik Purnima Significance?

Kartik Purnima is very important for various religious communities in India. It is deeply significant in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. On this day, the Sikh community celebrates the birth of a very important spiritual teacher, Shri Gurunanak. Therefore, they call it Guru Purnima or Guru Purabh. The Jain community begins their pilgrimage to Shatrunjaya from Kartik Purnima.

Why Kartik Purnima Is Known As Tripurari Purnima?

This festival is also widely known as Tripuri Purnima or Tripurari Purnima. There is a fascinating reason behind the name of the festival. Many people call this festival by this name because of the story of the demons who came together to form Tripura. Lord Shiva defeated Tripura on the day of Kartik Purnima.

Furthermore, this auspicious day is the birthday of the god Kartikeya. He is the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. It also signifies the birth of the goddess Vrinda. Vrinda is another name for Tulsi. Therefore, many people perform Tulsi Vivah on Kartik Purnima. This festival gains its auspicious nature because of the many deities associated with it.

Kartik Purnima Rituals

The auspicious Kartik Purnima rituals begin with the Prabodhini Ekadashi. There are a number of unique rituals which people follow during the Kartik Maas.

Let’s know more about these rituals that you can perform during Kartik month 2026.

1. Kartik Snan

The Kartik Snan is an extremely sacred ritual of the Kartik month. During this month, people go to bathe in various holy rivers. Various sites along the Ganga in India observed a great influx of devotees during this time.

According to popular belief, one who takes a dip in the holy Ganga during this month receives the benefits of ten grand Yagyas.

2. Kartik Purnima fast

The most significant ritual of the Kartik month is the Kartik Purnima fast. Fasting is a popular practice in Hinduism. This is because a vrat is the simplest way to show your devotion towards the deities.

Therefore, keeping the vrat on Kartik Purnima gives you immense benefits and blessings from various gods. Devotees especially observe a fast for Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

3. Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah is a unique ritual that people follow on Kartik Purnima. As this festival marks the birth of goddess Tulsi, performing Tulsi puja on this day is extremely auspicious.

During this ritual, people dress up a Tulsi plant with a red cloth and offer Shringar items. Then, they conduct a marriage between Tulsi and Shaligram. Shaligram is a black stone that represents lord Vishnu.

Find the story behind Tulsi Vivah and Rituals

4. Vaikuntha Chaturdashi

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is a significant ritual you can perform in the Kartik month of 2026. It marks the return of Lord Kartikey to his abode, Vaikunth.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Kartikey returned home after spending 14 years on Earth. Therefore, people light fourteen lamps outside their houses and fast to mark the homecoming of the deity.

5. Dev Diwali

Dev Diwali is Diwali for the gods. It represents the defeat of the demon Tripura by Lord Shiva. Therefore, according to Hindu folklore, the gods celebrated Diwali to celebrate this victory.

In this ritual, people light diyas in their houses as well as near the river Ganga. People also perform donations on this day.

6. Bhishma Panchaka

The name Bhishma Panchaka comes from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. This is a Vrat observed during the last five days of the Kartik Maas.

Many believe that keeping this fast can free you from the neverending cycle of birth and death. Therefore, you can attain Moksha by keeping this vrat.

Kartik Purnima Vrat Katha

Reading the Kartik Purnima Vrat Katha is one of the most important Kartik Purnima celebrations. On this day, people wake up in the Brahma muhurat and take a bath. Afterwards, they observe the day-long Kartik Purnima fast and read or listen to the Vrat katha. Reading the Vrat Katha can bring exceptional benefits to the devotees.

According to the story, there was a demon known as Tarakasura. He had three sons called Tarakasha, Vidyunmali and Viryavana. Tarkasura caused havoc in the universe. Therefore, Lord Kartikeya was born to defeat the Asura. Lord Kartikeya defeated Tarakasura, which greatly angered his three sons.

When Tripurasura Asked For Immortality

Therefore, they formed a trio known as Tripurasura. They performed great Tapasya to ask for a boon from Lord Brahma. As a result of their Tapasya, lord Brahma was impressed and asked for their wish. The trio asked the god for immortality. To this, Lord Brahma told them that it was impossible to go against the rules of nature.

Afterwards, they asked lord Brahma to build three cities. One made of gold, one of silver and one of iron. Furthermore, they asked him if only one arrow could destroy the three cities. Lord Brahma agreed and granted them a boon. Therefore, they built three towns in the universe.

Afterwards, they tried to wage wars against the gods. The gods were deeply worried about the three demons, so they went to seek Lord Shiva’s help. Tripurasura tried to conquer Kailash, which is the abode of lord Shiva. Therefore, it led to a ward between the deity and the three demons. Shiv ji defeated Tripurasura on the day of Kartik Purnima.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is Kartik Purnima special?

The month of Kartik is one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar. Kartik Purnima is special because of its deep significance not just in Hinduism but also in Sikhism and Jainism.

2. What to eat during Kartik Purnima fast?

During Kartik Purnima fast, you can eat certain things depending on the nature of your fast. If you keep a Phalahar Vrat, you can only eat fruits during the day.

3. What not to do during Kartik Purnima?

During Kartik Purnima, you should not kill animals or consume non-vegetarian food. Furthermore, you should also not consume alcohol. During the Kartik Purnima fast, you should not eat food with spices, rice or lentils.

4. Can we cut hair in Kartik month?

You should not cut your hair or nails during the Kartik month.

5. Which god to worship on Kartik Purnima?

Many people worship various gods on Kartik Purnima. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Lord Kartikeya and many more deities on this auspicious day.

6. Why do people light lamps on Kartik Purnima?

Lighting lamps on Kartik Purnima signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is also an important part of the Dev Diwali ritual during the Kartik Maas.

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