Festival · Kartika Purnima
Tripurari Purnima 2026
The gods' own Diwali, a fortnight after yours. This evening the lamps come out once more, at home and at the temple.
Date, tithi and timing
Times are for Bengaluru. The app gives times for your city.
Date by city
The date differs in these cities; it is the same in the others.
Next year, 2027
Quick facts
- Also known asKartik Purnima, Tripuri Purnima, Dev Diwali
- WhereMaharashtra and all of India; Dev Deepawali in Varanasi
- Puja forShiva, as Tripurari
- In one lineThe day Shiva destroyed Tripurasura, and the gods lit lamps to celebrate.
Tripurari Purnima, in a little more detail
- 01
About the festival
Kartik's full moon is Tripurari Purnima. Tripurari is a name of Shiva: the enemy of the three cities.
At Diwali you light up your home. Today is the turn of the gods: they lit lamps when the demon fell, and we light them again to share in it.
The idea is simple. However big the trouble looks, one arrow is enough when the moment is right. Be patient, and know the moment when it comes.
- 02
The story of Tripurasura
The three sons of the demon Tarakasura did hard penance and won a boon from Brahma. The architect Maya built them three cities: one of gold in heaven, one of silver on earth and one of iron in the underworld. The boon said the cities could fall only when all three stood in one line, and only to a single arrow.
Safe in their boon, the brothers tormented gods and sages alike. The gods went to Shiva. He made the earth his chariot, Mount Meru his bow and Vishnu his arrow.
After thousands of years the three cities came into line, and at that moment Shiva loosed one arrow. All three burned. That day was the full moon of Kartik, so Shiva is called Tripurari and this full moon Tripurari Purnima.
- 03
In Maharashtra and beyond
In the evening the deepmals, the stone lamp towers in front of temples, are lit, above all at Shiva's. At home, lamps go at the door, in the courtyard and by the tulsi.
Some places light a tripur, a long wick, before the god. The month of Kartik snan, the early bath kept since Ashwin's full moon, ends today, and so does the kakad aarti at Vitthal temples.
In Varanasi the ghats of the Ganga take a million lamps tonight: that is Dev Deepawali. Sikhs keep Guru Nanak Jayanti, Gurpurab, on this full moon too.
How to do the puja
In short: A morning bath, and lamps at dusk: at the door, by the tulsi, the tripur before Shiva, and the deepmal at the temple.
- 1Bathe early in the morning.For those keeping the Kartik bath since Ashwin's full moon, it ends today.
- 2Clean the house and draw a rangoli at the door.Leave room for the lamps you will light in the evening.
- 3In the evening, worship Shiva.An abhishek of water or milk, bel leaves, flowers and incense.
- 4Light the tripur, the long wick, before Shiva.A tripur is a long wick, soaked in ghee and lit in a lamp or on a pillar.
- 5Light lamps at the door, in the courtyard and by the tulsi.Rows of clay diyas. Keep them away from curtains, clothes and children.
- 6Go to the temple to see the deepmal lit.The stone lamp towers at Shiva's temples are lit this evening.
- 7If there's a river or lake nearby, float a lamp: deepdan.Use leaf or dough lamps, not plastic. Stay away from deep water and never leave a child alone there.
- 8Give something away: food, or a lamp.Food for someone in need, or a lamp at the temple. As much as you can.
What you needTick as you go
0 of 10 ready
Frequently asked questions
What is a tripur?
A long wick lit on a tall pillar or in a lamp. It's lit before Shiva at his temples and in many homes.
Should I fast today?
In Maharashtra it's mainly a day of lamps; a fast isn't required. Some fast until the evening puja.
Can I still hold Tulsi Vivah today?
Yes. Tulsi Vivah can be held from Ekadashi until today, its last day.
How do I float lamps safely?
Use leaf or dough lamps, set them off from the ghat's step, and keep children by your side. No river? Float a lamp in a bowl of water at home.
Set a reminder in the app
The app sends a notice the day before and on the day, even offline.