Quick answer: Tripurari Purnima 2026, also called Tripuri Purnima, is on Tuesday 24 November 2026 in India, per Drik Panchang. It is the full moon of the month of Kartik. On this day Shiva is worshipped as Tripurari, the destroyer of the three demon cities, and lamps are lit in temples, on river banks and in homes.

The same full moon has many names across India. It is Kartika Purnima in North India, Dev Diwali in Varanasi, Tripuri Purnima in Maharashtra, Karthika Pournami in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Karthigai Deepam in Tamil Nadu and Thrikarthika in Kerala.

Tripurari Purnima 2026 date and tithi

ItemDetail (India)Source
Tripurari / Tripuri PurnimaTue 24 Nov 2026Drik Panchang
Purnima tithiFrom 11:42 PM IST Mon 23 Nov to 8:23 PM IST Tue 24 Nov 2026Drik, New Delhi
Nakshatra on 24 NovKrittikaDrik, New Delhi
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi (day before)Mon 23 Nov 2026Drik
Bhishma PanchakFri 20 to Tue 24 Nov 2026Drik
Same dayDev Diwali, Karthigai Deepam, Pushkara Snana, Guru Nanak JayantiDrik

These are India times in IST for New Delhi. If you live outside India, check Drik Panchang for your own city. Do not convert India's times to your time zone, because the tithi times and even the date can differ.

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The story of Tripurasura, as commonly told

The story is told in the Puranas and in many temple traditions, with small differences. As it is commonly told, the three sons of the demon Tarakasura performed hard penance and won a boon from Lord Brahma. They received three cities: one of gold in the heavens, one of silver in the sky and one of iron on the earth. The cities could move freely. They could be destroyed only by a single arrow, at the moment when all three came into one line.

Protected by this boon, the brothers, known together as Tripurasura, troubled the gods and the sages. The gods turned to Lord Shiva. A divine chariot was made for him. In many versions, the earth is the chariot, the sun and the moon are its wheels, Brahma is the charioteer, Mount Meru is the bow and Lord Vishnu himself is the arrow.

Shiva waited for the moment when the three cities stood in one line. Then he released a single arrow and burned all three. Because he destroyed the three cities (Tripura), he is called Tripurari or Tripurantaka. Tradition places this victory on the full moon of Kartik.

Many devotees read the story as a lesson as well. The three cities are often explained as three kinds of bondage or impurity in the human mind, which only the grace of Shiva can burn away at once.

Dev Diwali: the gods' festival of lights

It is commonly said that the gods came down to the banks of the Ganga to celebrate Shiva's victory with lamps. This is Dev Diwali, "the Diwali of the gods". In Varanasi, on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the long line of ghats along the Ganga is lit with countless clay lamps, and the river is filled with floating lamps and the sound of Ganga aarti.

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Dev Diwali draws very large crowds. Boats and riverside spaces are booked early, and local authorities manage the crowds. Follow official announcements for the programme and any restrictions. See Dev Deepawali in Varanasi.

Tripuri Purnima in Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, the day is widely known as Tripuri Purnima. Many temples have a deepmal, a tall stone lamp tower with many small niches. On this evening the deepmal is lit from top to bottom, and the temple courtyards glow with rows of lamps. This is often called the Tripuri deepotsav.

Families also light lamps at home and at the tulsi plant. In some places, devotees visit temples of Kartikeya (Kartik Swami) on this full moon, a custom that is commonly linked with the Krittika nakshatra. Customs vary from town to town, so follow your local temple.

Tripuri Purnima also closes a busy Kartik season. In many Maharashtra temples this season includes early-morning Kakad Aarti, and it includes Kartiki Ekadashi at Pandharpur on Friday 20 November 2026. See Kartiki Ekadashi 2026.

Kartik Purnima snan and deepa daan

Across India, Kartika Purnima is one of the most important days for a holy bath (snan) and for offering lamps (deepa daan). Drik Panchang also lists Pushkara Snana on this day. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganga at Varanasi and Garhmukteshwar, in Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan, and in rivers and temple tanks across the country.

  • Morning bath: bathe early, before or around sunrise. If you cannot reach a river, add a little Ganga water to your bath and remember the holy rivers.
  • Shiva puja: offer water, milk and bilva leaves to a Shiva lingam, or chant "Om Namah Shivaya".
  • Evening lamps: after sunset, light lamps at the altar, at the doorway and at the tulsi plant.
  • Floating lamps: where it is allowed, float a lamp on a river or pond. Use leaf or flour lamps, not plastic.
  • Charity: giving food, lamps or warm clothes is traditional on this full moon.

For South Indian customs on the same day, see Karthika Pournami 2026 and Karthigai Deepam 2026. For the great fairs held on this full moon, see Kartik Purnima melas 2026.

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Observing Tripurari Purnima abroad

  • Check Drik Panchang for your own city. The full moon may fall on a different date or at a different time where you live.
  • Many Hindu temples abroad hold a Kartik Purnima deepotsav, Rudrabhishekam or Satyanarayana puja. Check the temple's official website for the programme.
  • In apartments, keep lamps on a metal tray, away from curtains and smoke alarms, and never leave them unattended.
  • Tell children the story of Tripurari in simple words, and let them light one lamp each.

Frequently asked questions

When is Tripurari Purnima 2026?

Tripurari Purnima 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November 2026 in India, per Drik Panchang. It is the same day as Kartika Purnima, Dev Diwali, Karthigai Deepam and Karthika Pournami.

What is the difference between Tripurari Purnima and Tripuri Purnima?

There is no difference. Both names mean the full moon of Tripurari, "the enemy of Tripura", a name of Lord Shiva. Tripuri Purnima is the name most often used in Maharashtra.

Why is it called Tripurari Purnima?

As commonly told, on this full moon Lord Shiva destroyed the three flying cities of the demon brothers known together as Tripurasura. For this victory Shiva is called Tripurari or Tripurantaka, and the full moon is named after him.

How is Tripurari Purnima connected with Dev Diwali?

It is commonly said that the gods celebrated Shiva's victory over Tripurasura by lighting lamps. Dev Diwali, "the Diwali of the gods", is celebrated in Varanasi on the same full moon, Tuesday 24 November 2026, with lamps on the ghats of the Ganga.

Is there a puja muhurat for Tripurari Purnima 2026?

We do not give a muhurat. Per Drik Panchang (New Delhi), Purnima tithi ends at 8:23 PM IST on 24 November 2026, so the evening lamps fall within the full moon in India. Families abroad should check Drik Panchang for their own city and should not convert India's times.

Can I observe Tripurari Purnima abroad?

Yes. Take a bath in the morning with a prayer to the holy rivers, worship Shiva, and light lamps at home after sunset. Check your local temple's programme for a Kartik Purnima deepotsav or Rudrabhishekam.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. The date and tithi times are India data from Drik Panchang (New Delhi). We do not give puja muhurats or event schedules, and we do not convert India's times abroad. The story is given as commonly told; versions differ between texts and regions.