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What does Kartik Purnima mean for your practice?
Kartik Purnima is a highly sacred full-moon day venerated in Hindu, Sikh and Jain traditions. For Hindus it commemorates Shiva's destruction of the demon Tripurasura and is celebrated as Dev Diwali, the 'Diwali of the gods', with thousands of lamps lit on river ghats. It is regarded as one of the most auspicious days for holy bathing, charity and worship of both Shiva and Vishnu.
Which story is remembered?
Kartik Purnima is celebrated as Tripurari Purnima, marking the day Lord Shiva, as Tripurari, destroyed the three flying fortress-cities (Tripura) of the demon Tarakaksha and his brothers, who had become invincible and tyrannical — restoring cosmic order with a single fiery arrow. The day is also linked to Vishnu's Matsya (fish) avatar and to the birth of Kartikeya. By tradition, the gods descended to earth to celebrate Shiva's victory by lighting lamps, giving rise to Dev Diwali.
Puja vidhi for Kartik Purnima
Taking a holy dip in sacred rivers, especially the Ganga at Varanasi and Pushkar lake
Lighting rows of lamps on river ghats for Dev Diwali
Worshipping Shiva and Vishnu and performing the Ganga aarti
Giving charity, donating, and feeding the needy and cattle
Observing fasts and lighting the sky lamp (akash deep)
Sikhs observing Guru Nanak Gurpurab, which often coincides with this full moon
Offerings and festive foods
What families prepare and offer on Kartik Purnima.
A holy dip at dawn in a river, the Kartik snan
Deepdaan: lamps floated on rivers and lit along the ghats
Tulsi puja and offerings to Vishnu
Bel leaves and water for Shiva as Tripurari
Food, clothes and lamps given in daan
Mantras to chant
Chant with a clear sankalp, facing east or north, on a mala if you keep one.
Names and customs across India
Kartik Purnima is celebrated grandly as Dev Diwali in Varanasi, where the ghats blaze with countless lamps, and is the occasion of the famous Pushkar Camel Fair and holy bath in Rajasthan. In Odisha it is marked as Boita Bandana with miniature boats commemorating ancient maritime trade. The same full moon is observed by Sikhs as Guru Nanak Jayanti (when the lunar reckoning aligns) and is sacred to Jains as well.
Which classical sources guide the practice?
This occurrence follows the date record's stated confidence. For formal worship, confirm the local panchang and temple's announced schedule; a Gregorian date alone does not settle the city-specific ritual window.
Kartik Purnima · 2026
