Kartik Purnima 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November. The Purnima tithi begins at 11:42 PM on 23 November and ends at 8:23 PM on 24 November, according to Indian Standard Time (IST). Devotees can plan their morning bath, worship, temple visit and evening lamp offering for 24 November.
Below are the date, tithi timings and a simple guide to observing the day at home or at a temple.
Kartik Purnima 2026 Date and Tithi Time
| Occasion | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival | Kartik Purnima |
| Date | Tuesday, 24 November 2026 |
| Lunar Month | Kartik |
| Paksha | Shukla Paksha |
| Tithi | Purnima (Full Moon) |
| Purnima Tithi Begins | 23 November 2026, 11:44 PM (IST) |
| Purnima Tithi Ends | 24 November 2026, 08:25 PM (IST) |
Is Kartik Purnima on 23 or 24 November?
Kartik Purnima will be observed on 24 November 2026. Although the tithi begins late on 23 November, it continues through sunrise and most of the following day.
For those planning Kartik Snan, daytime worship or an evening lamp offering, Tuesday, 24 November is the date to follow. The tithi continues until 8:23 PM that evening.
When to Perform Kartik Purnima Observances
- 01
Morning Bath and Prayers
Begin the day with an early morning bath, followed by prayers and chanting. Those observing Kartik Snan traditionally bathe before sunrise. If you are observing the day at home, take your bath and prepare a clean space for worship. - 02
Worship and Temple Visit
You can perform your regular worship in the morning or visit a temple for darshan, arati and kirtan. Check the temple’s programme before travelling, as darshan hours and festival arrangements differ. - 03
Evening Lamp Offering
Plan your evening lamp offering around dusk. On 24 November, the Purnima tithi remains until 8:23 PM IST. If you are attending a temple celebration, follow its announced arati and lamp-offering schedule.
How to Observe Kartik Purnima at Home
You can arrange a simple home observance with the following practices:
- 01
Prepare your altar
Clean the worship area and arrange the items needed for your regular puja. - 02
Offer prayers to Lord Krishna
Place flowers before the Lord and chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. - 03
Read or hear Krishna’s pastimes
Set aside time for scripture reading, either individually or with your family. - 04
Offer a ghee lamp to Lord Damodara
Sing or recite Damodarashtakam during the offering. - 05
Offer bhoga and distribute prasadam
Prepare food suitable for offering to Lord Krishna, following your usual worship standards.
Chanting, hearing Krishna’s pastimes, offering bhoga and performing Damodara arati are established practices of Kartik observance.
Fasting and Concluding Kartik Vows
Some devotees observe a fast on Kartik Purnima, while others follow the particular vows they have undertaken during the month. Follow the food restrictions and concluding instructions associated with your own observance.
For devotees observing Bhishma Panchaka, the five-day observance concludes on Kartik Purnima. Follow your temple or spiritual guide’s instructions for completing the vrata and breaking the fast. The Purnima tithi’s ending time should not automatically be treated as a universal fast-breaking time.
