Festival · November

Kartik Purnima

Also known as Dev Deepawali, Tripuri Purnima

The full moon of Kartika, when the ghats of Varanasi are lit with lamps for the gods.

The full moon that ends the holy month of Kartika is the Diwali of the gods, Dev Deepawali. Varanasi lights its ghats with lamps. It also remembers Shiva destroying the three cities of Tripurasura. Pilgrims bathe in rivers at dawn, and lamps are floated on the water.

Why it is kept

It closes Kartika, a month set apart for lamps, bathing and devotion to Vishnu and Shiva.

Step by step

How to observe it

Bathe at dawn
A bath in a river or at home before sunrise.
Light and float lamps
Lamps are lit at temples and riverbanks in the evening, and set floating on the water.

Customs differ between regions, communities and families. Where your family or temple has its own way, follow it.

Fasting

Some keep a fast through the day.

Fasts should suit your health. Children, elders, pregnant women and anyone unwell or on medication should eat, or keep a lighter fast; that is the tradition, not an exception to it.