Kartik Purnima & Dev Deepawali 2026: Snan-Daan Muhurat, Deepdaan Vidhi & Vaikuntha Chaturdashi

Kartik Purnima 2026 Date and Snan-Daan Muhurat

Kartik Purnima 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November, because Purnima tithi is present at sunrise that day. It begins at 11:42 PM on Monday, 23 November and ends at 8:23 PM on Tuesday, 24 November (IST).

Snan time in other cities (24 November):

Mumbai's sunrise matches New Delhi's to the minute on 24 November: Mumbai lies further west, which delays sunrise, but also much further south, which brings it earlier in winter, and the two effects cancel out this week. If you can't bathe in Brahma Muhurat, take the snan any time before sunrise or in the early morning of 24 November. Times are calculated for each city and may differ by a minute or two from local calendars.

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 and Its Muhurat

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 is on Monday, 23 November, the day before Kartik Purnima. It's the rare day when Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshipped together. Shukla Chaturdashi runs at sunrise and until 11:42 PM that night.

As the story is told, Lord Vishnu came to Kashi to worship Lord Shiva with a thousand lotuses. When one was missing, he offered one of his own lotus-like eyes, and Shiva, moved, gave him the Sudarshan Chakra. On this day, Vishnu is offered bel leaves and Shiva is offered tulsi, a reversal that happens only once a year.

In Varanasi, devotees take a holy dip at Manikarnika Ghat on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, and the Kashi Vishwanath temple honours both deities. At home, offer tulsi and bel to a Shiva lingam and a Vishnu idol, light a ghee diya, and chant "Om Namah Shivaya" and "Om Namo Narayanaya."

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 Muhurat

Lord Vishnu is traditionally worshipped at Nishita, around midnight, and Lord Shiva at Arunodaya, just before dawn. In 2026, Chaturdashi ends at 11:42 PM on 23 November, which is right at the start of the midnight window:

In New Delhi and Mumbai, Nishita begins only after Chaturdashi has ended, while in Varanasi it overlaps Chaturdashi for about 22 minutes. Many families therefore complete the Vishnu puja on the night of 23 November before 11:42 PM, and offer the Shiva puja at dawn on 24 November. Follow the timing your family priest advises.

Kartik Purnima Snan and Daan Vidhi

Kartik Purnima snan, a holy bath at dawn, is believed to give the merit of the whole Kartik month. Daan through the day, especially of til, jaggery, ghee, grain and warm clothes, is believed to multiply that merit.

1. Snan at dawn: Bathe in the Ganga or a holy river or lake (Varanasi, Haridwar, Prayagraj and Pushkar draw lakhs of pilgrims). At home, add a few drops of Gangajal to your bath water and take the snan in Brahma Muhurat or before sunrise.

2. Surya arghya: After the bath, offer water to the rising Sun from a copper lota.

3. Vishnu puja: Worship Lord Vishnu with tulsi, yellow flowers and a ghee diya; many families read the Satyanarayan katha.

4. Daan: Donate til, jaggery, ghee, rice, wheat, blankets or warm clothes to someone in need, or to a temple or gaushala.

5. Fast (optional): Many keep a Purnima vrat and break it after evening deepdaan and moon darshan.

Kartik Purnima also ends Bhishma Panchak and, for many families, the month-long Kartik snan. If you haven't done Tulsi Vivah yet, this is the last day for it; see our Tulsi Vivah 2026 guide.

Dev Deepawali 2026 and Deepdaan Vidhi

Dev Deepawali 2026, the "Diwali of the gods," is on Tuesday, 24 November, 16 days after Diwali. It celebrates Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura, which is why the day is also called Tripurari Purnima; the devas are believed to descend to Kashi to light lamps on the ghats.

Dev Diwali in Varanasi

On Dev Deepawali evening, lakhs of diyas light up the 80-plus ghats of Varanasi from Raj Ghat to Assi Ghat, with a grand Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and boats full of visitors on the river. Sunset in Varanasi on 24 November is about 5:08 PM, and the lamps are lit soon after. The city administration announces the official Dev Deepawali programme each year, so check it before you travel.

If you're travelling: book boats and stay well in advance, reach the ghats by mid-afternoon, and keep your belongings close in the crowd. On the river, use boats with life jackets, don't board an overcrowded boat, and stay seated while watching the lamps.

Deepdaan Vidhi at Home

1. After sunset: Light diyas after sunset and before Purnima ends at 8:23 PM.

2. Where to place them: At the main door, the tulsi, a peepal tree, the puja room and near water, such as a tap or a bowl of water.

3. River deepdaan: If you're near a river, float a leaf-boat diya (made of a leaf or flour dough) with flowers, avoiding plastic or foam.

4. Prayer: Pray to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and to your ancestors, as you light each diya.

Pure Gir Cow Bilona Ghee is a traditional choice for deepdaan, and you'll find diyas and puja essentials in our Pooja Collection.

Kartik Purnima Upay

Kartik Purnima is traditionally considered one of the most powerful days of the year for remedies. These are the simplest and most widely followed:

• Peepal and tulsi deepdaan: After sunset, light a ghee diya under a peepal tree and another at the tulsi, praying for lasting prosperity.

• Lakshmi puja at night: Worship Goddess Lakshmi after moonrise with kheer, white flowers and a ghee diya, and chant "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" 108 times. A Laxmi Potli placed in the locker on this night is a traditional prosperity remedy.

• Til and ghee daan: Donate black til, ghee and warm clothes, believed to bring peace to ancestors and ease Saturn's influence.

• Moon arghya: Offer water mixed with a little raw milk to the full moon for emotional balance and a calm mind.

• Chant Shiva's name: Since this is Tripurari Purnima, chant "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times for protection and strength.

Karthigai Deepam and Other Observances on the Same Day

Kartik Purnima is one of the busiest sacred days of the year, celebrated in different ways across India on Tuesday, 24 November 2026.

Karthigai Deepam 2026: In 2026, Krittika nakshatra is present at sunset on 24 November, so Karthigai Deepam falls on the same day as Kartik Purnima. The Tiruvannamalai temple announces its own dates for the Bharani and Maha Deepam, so check the temple's schedule before you travel.

Conclusion

Kartik Purnima 2026 on Tuesday, 24 November closes the holy Kartik month with light: a dawn snan, a day of daan, and diyas after sunset, while Varanasi glows for Dev Deepawali. Begin the night before with Vaikuntha Chaturdashi on 23 November, and remember that deepdaan should be done before Purnima ends at 8:23 PM.

The Kartik season, in one place: Karwa Chauth, Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja, Gopashtami and Akshaya Navami, Dev Uthani Ekadashi and Tulsi Vivah.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the Kartik Purnima snan time in 2026?
A: The best time is Brahma Muhurat on 24 November, about 5:14 AM to 6:02 AM in New Delhi and 4:45 AM to 5:33 AM in Varanasi. If you miss it, bathe before sunrise or early in the morning.

Q: When is Dev Deepawali 2026 in Varanasi?
A: Dev Deepawali 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November. The ghats of Varanasi are lit with diyas soon after sunset, about 5:08 PM, and the celebrations continue through the evening.

Q: When is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026?
A: Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 is on Monday, 23 November, the day before Kartik Purnima. Shiva and Vishnu are worshipped together, with tulsi offered to Shiva and bel leaves to Vishnu.

Q: What should I donate on Kartik Purnima?
A: Common daan includes til, jaggery, ghee, rice, wheat, blankets, warm clothes and diyas. Donating to a temple or gaushala is also traditional.

Q: What is the Vaikuntha Chaturdashi muhurat in 2026?
A: Lord Vishnu is traditionally worshipped at Nishita on the night of Monday, 23 November, but Chaturdashi ends at 11:42 PM, just as Nishita begins in New Delhi (about 11:43 PM). Many families complete the Vishnu puja before 11:42 PM, and offer the Shiva puja at dawn on 24 November.

Q: What remedies should I do on Kartik Purnima?
A: Light ghee diyas under a peepal tree and at the tulsi after sunset, worship Goddess Lakshmi at night, donate til, ghee and warm clothes, and offer milk-water arghya to the full moon. These are traditionally believed to bring lasting prosperity and peace.