What is Dev Diwali and why is it celebrated on Kartik Purnima?

Dev Diwali is the 'Diwali of the Gods' celebrated on Kartik Purnima to commemorate Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura, when the Devas lit millions of lamps along the river Ganga in Varanasi.

What is Rash Yatra during Kartik Purnima in Bengal?

Rash Yatra (Rashotsav) in Bengal celebrates the divine cosmic dance (Raas Leela) of Sri Radha and Lord Krishna, marked by massive celebrations and deity exhibitions in Nabadvip, Shantipur, and Mayapur.

What is Boita Bandana on Kartik Purnima?

Boita Bandana is an ancient maritime tradition where people float miniature paper or banana bark boats lit with lamps onto rivers at dawn, remembering ancient merchants (Sadhabas) who sailed overseas.

Why is a holy bath taken on Kartik Purnima?

Taking a dip in the holy Ganga or other sacred rivers during Brahma Muhurta on Kartik Purnima is believed to wash away sins and confer spiritual liberation (Moksha).

What is the connection between Kartik Purnima and Guru Nanak Jayanti?

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, was born on Kartik Purnima in 1469 CE, which is why Gurpurab is celebrated on the exact same date.

What is Tripuri Purnima?

Tripuri Purnima is another name for Kartik Purnima, commemorating Lord Shiva's manifestation as Tripurantaka to destroy the three flying demonic cities of Tripurasura.

Kartik Purnima 2026(কার্তিক পূর্ণিমা ২০২৬)

Q: What is the date of Kartik Purnima in 2026?

Kartik Purnima 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 24, 2026 (corresponding to 9 Agrahayana 1433 Bangabda in the Bengali Panjika).

Dev Diwali / Rash Yatra • দেব দীপাবলি ও রাসযাত্রা1433 Bengali Panjika • Verified Dates & Timings

Kartik Purnima 2026 — Dev Diwali celebration with diyas and Akash Pradeep

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About Kartik Purnima (Dev Diwali / Rash Yatra)

উৎসব পরিচিতি

Kartik Purnima 2026 (কার্তিক পূর্ণিমা ২০২৬), also gloriously celebrated as Dev Diwali (Diwali of the Gods), Tripuri Purnima, and Rash Yatra, is one of the most spiritually exalted full moon nights in the Hindu calendar. In 2026, it will be observed on Tuesday, November 24, 2026 (corresponding to 9 Agrahayana 1433 Bangabda in the Bengali Panjika). It brings to a close the sacred month of Kartik (Damodar Masa), the holiest period for Vaishnavas and Shaivites alike.

On this sacred night, devotees celebrate the victory of Lord Shiva over the invincible demon triad Tripurasura (hence termed Tripuri Purnima). According to legend, the Devas rejoiced by illuminating the heavens and descending upon the sacred ghats of Varanasi to bathe in the holy Ganga and light over one million lamps, creating the world-renowned Dev Deepavali celebration.

In Bengal and Odisha, Kartik Purnima carries profound cultural dimensions:

Rash Yatra & Rashotsav: In Nabadvip, Mayapur, and Shantipur, the divine cosmic dance (Maha Raas Leela) of Sri Radha and Lord Krishna is celebrated with magnificent temple murtis, Kirtan processions, and devotional street fairs.
Boita Bandana: In ancient maritime Bengal and Odisha, families float miniature boats fashioned out of banana stems or paper with lamps and betel leaves into rivers, remembering their seafaring ancestors (Sadhabas) who set sail on trade voyages to Southeast Asia on this auspicious winter trade-wind full moon.

History:

The historical and philosophical grandeur of Kartik Purnima is celebrated across multiple Puranas:

Tripurasura Vadha by Lord Shiva: The Shiva Purana recounts that three demon brothers constructed three impenetrable flying cities (Tripura) made of gold, silver, and iron. They terrorized heaven and earth until Lord Shiva, taking Mount Meru as his bow, the earth as his chariot, and Lord Vishnu as his arrow, struck and obliterated all three cities with a single divine shot on Kartik Purnima. The overjoyed Devas lit oil lamps, inaugurating Dev Diwali.

Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu: The Matsya Purana records that on this very full moon night, Lord Vishnu took his first incarnation (Matsya Avatar) as a celestial golden horned fish to rescue Sage Satyavrata (Manu) and preserve the Vedas and seeds of life from the cosmic deluge (Pralaya).

Radha-Krishna's Divine Raas Leela: In the Srimad Bhagavatam, on the luminous autumn full moon night, Lord Krishna played his enchanting flute in the groves of Vrindavan, drawing the Gopis into the divine circle dance (Maharaas), demonstrating the soul's ecstatic union with the Supreme Divinity.

Tulsi Vivah Conclusion: Kartik Purnima marks the grand ceremonial conclusion of Tulsi Vivah—the wedding of the holy basil plant (Goddess Tulsi) with Lord Vishnu (in the form of the sacred Shaligram stone).

Auspicious 2026 Timings & Tithi Nirghanta (সূর্যসিদ্ধান্ত ও বিশুদ্ধ পঞ্জিকা):

Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 (বাংলা ৯ অগ্রহায়ণ ১৪৩৩ বঙ্গাব্দ)
Purnima Tithi Begins: Monday, Nov 23 at 08:15 PM IST
Purnima Tithi Concludes: Tuesday, Nov 24 at 10:40 PM IST
Kartik Snan Muhurat (Brahma Muhurta): 04:30 AM to 05:45 AM IST
Dev Diwali Pradosh Kal Muhurat (Deepdaan): 05:15 PM to 07:45 PM IST
Boita Bandana Morning Window: 05:00 AM to 06:30 AM IST
Public Holiday Status: Gazetted Public Holiday in Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana; cultural festival day across West Bengal.

Spiritual Virtues of Kartik Snan & Deepdaan:

Taking a holy bath in sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Hooghly) on Kartik Purnima is believed to bestow the spiritual merit equivalent to performing a hundred Ashwamedha yagnas. Devotees light earthen lamps at temples, river ghats, and under sacred Tulsi and Peepal trees to illuminate their spiritual journey.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Holy Kartik Snan at Dawn — Devotees take a cleansing dip in the Ganga, Hooghly, or holy pond during Brahma Muhurta, chanting prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

Boita Bandana (Floating Decorative Boats) — Lighting small lamps inside artistic miniature boats made of banana bark or coloured paper, floating them on waterways at dawn with betel leaves and cowries.

Dev Diwali Ghat Deepdaan — Illuminating riverside steps, temples, and homes with thousands of sparkling earthen oil diyas at dusk (Pradosh Kal).

Radha-Krishna Rash Yatra Worship — Visiting illuminated temples in Nabadvip, Mayapur, and Vrindavan to participate in ecstatic congregational Harinam Sankirtan and behold the Raas Leela murtis.

Shiva Abhishek & Tripurari Aradhana — Pouring sacred Gangajal, cow milk, honey, and Bilva patra on the Shiva Lingam in honor of the destruction of Tripurasura.

Lighting the Akhand Tulsi Lamp — Devotees light a ghee lamp at the sacred Tulsi altar to conclude the month-long Damodar Vrata and distribute sweet khichuri bhog.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Gobindobhog Bhoger Khichuri — Pure vegetarian rice and lentil porridge slow-cooked with fresh seasonal vegetables and home-churned ghee.

Makhan Mishri & Mohanbhog — Freshly churned unsalted white butter topped with rock sugar and dry-roasted semolina sweet pudding offered to Lord Krishna.

Chana Malpua & Rabri — Syrupy fried pancakes made from cottage cheese, fennel, and condensed milk, dipped in saffron syrup.

Moong Dal Halwa — Rich roasted yellow lentil pudding cooked in generous amounts of desi ghee and garnished with slivered pistachios.

Bengali Labra & Luchi — Fluffy fried breads paired with a traditional spiced mixed winter vegetable curry without onion or garlic.

Chhanar Payesh — Delicate milk pudding prepared with soft curd cheese pearls, rock sugar, green cardamom, and golden raisins.