Dev Diwali 2026, the "Diwali of the gods", falls on Tuesday, 24 November, the full moon of Kartik (Kartik Purnima). On this evening the ghats of Varanasi glow with lakhs of earthen lamps along the Ganga, in one of the most beautiful sights in India.
Dev Diwali closes the festival season that began with Dhanteras. It comes fifteen days after Diwali, and the same full moon is sacred for many traditions: Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab), Maharashtra marks Tripuri Pournima, Odisha sails paper boats for Boita Bandana, the Pushkar fair in Rajasthan reaches its peak, and Jain pilgrims begin the Shatrunjaya yatra at Palitana in Gujarat.
Quick answers:
- Date: Tuesday, 24 November 2026 (Kartik Purnima).
- Purnima tithi: from about 11:42 PM on 23 November to about 8:23 PM on 24 November (approximate; check a panchang for your city).
- Pradosh Kaal for lighting lamps: about 5:09 PM to 7:54 PM (approximate; check locally).
- Where it is biggest: the ghats of Varanasi, from Ravidas Ghat to Rajghat.
- What to wear: a Banarasi silk or Chanderi saree for evening aarti; warm layers, as November evenings by the river are cool.
Why the gods celebrate: the story of Dev Diwali
According to the Puranas, three demon brothers built three flying cities (Tripura) and were granted a boon that they could be destroyed only by a single arrow when the three cities aligned. They grew arrogant and troubled the gods. On Kartik Purnima, Lord Shiva, as Tripurari, destroyed all three cities with one arrow. The gods descended to the banks of the Ganga at Kashi and celebrated by lighting lamps, which is why the day is called Dev Deepawali, the festival of lights of the gods.
Kartik Purnima is also linked with Lord Vishnu's Matsya (fish) avatar in some traditions, and the whole month of Kartik is considered especially holy for bathing in rivers, lighting lamps and charity.
Dev Diwali in Varanasi: what you will see
- Lamps on every ghat: volunteers, families and temples light lakhs of diyas on the steps of the ghats at dusk.
- Ganga aarti: the grand aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is the centrepiece, with priests, lamps, conches and chanting.
- Kartik snan: devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga from early morning.
- Deep daan: small leaf boats with lamps and flowers are floated on the river.
- Fireworks and lights on buildings and temples along the river; cultural programmes in some years.
A visitor's practical guide
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Book hotels and boats weeks ahead | Rooms and boat rides near the ghats sell out early |
| Reach the ghats by mid-afternoon | Roads close to vehicles and crowds build quickly before dusk |
| Watch from a boat if you can | The best view of the whole lamp-lit riverfront |
| Choose quieter ghats for families | Assi, Kedar or Rajghat can be easier than Dashashwamedh |
| Keep phones and valuables secure | Very large crowds |
| Carry a light shawl | Evenings by the river are cool in late November |
A one-day plan for Dev Diwali in Varanasi
- Before sunrise: join the Kartik snan at a ghat, or simply watch the morning rituals and the sunrise over the river.
- Morning: darshan at Kashi Vishwanath; expect queues, so go early and carry little.
- Late morning: a walk through the old lanes; visit a Banarasi weaving workshop to see handlooms at work.
- Afternoon: rest, then reach your chosen ghat or boat point by around 3:00–4:00 PM.
- Dusk: lamps are lit along the ghats; take your boat ride as the riverfront lights up.
- Evening: Ganga aarti and fireworks; leave a little after the crowds, not with them.
Food to try in Varanasi
- Kachori-sabzi and jalebi for breakfast, a Banaras classic.
- Tamatar chaat, the city's famous tangy tomato chaat.
- Malaiyyo, a light saffron milk froth sold in winter mornings.
- Banarasi paan after dinner.
- Lassi in a kulhad, thick and topped with malai.
If you are fasting for Kartik Purnima, fruit, milk and sabudana dishes are easy to find near the ghats.
Why the month of Kartik is so holy
Kartik, the month that holds Diwali, is considered one of the holiest of the Hindu year. Through the month, many devotees bathe before sunrise, light a lamp every evening (Kartik deepdaan), worship Lord Vishnu and the tulsi plant, and give charity. Dev Diwali, on the last day of Kartik, is the grand finale of a month of lamps that began around Sharad Purnima and grew through Diwali.
Photography tips for the lamp-lit ghats
- Shoot at blue hour, just after sunset, when the sky still has colour and the lamps glow.
- Steady your phone on a railing or the boat's edge, and use night mode.
- Turn off flash; it flattens the lamp light and disturbs others during aarti.
- For portraits, stand facing the diyas so their warm light falls on the face; a zari saree catches it beautifully.
Dev Diwali do's and don'ts
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Carry water, a shawl and a small torch | Pushing through crowded steps near the water |
| Respect the aarti: stay quiet, keep phones on silent | Using flash during the aarti |
| Float lamps in leaf boats | Floating plastic or thermocol |
| Keep children close with an ID card in their pocket | Letting children near the edge of the ghats |
Other celebrations on Kartik Purnima
| Festival | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) | Across India and worldwide | Prabhat pheris, Akhand Path, kirtan and langar at gurdwaras |
| Tripuri Pournima | Maharashtra | Lamps on the temple deepmal (lamp towers) and around homes |
| Boita Bandana | Odisha | Paper and banana-bark boats floated to honour the sea traders of Kalinga; the Bali Jatra fair in Cuttack |
| Pushkar fair | Rajasthan | The famous camel fair and holy dip in Pushkar lake |
| Shatrunjaya yatra | Palitana, Gujarat | Jain pilgrims begin climbing to the Shatrunjaya temples after Chaturmas |
| Karthigai Deepam | Tamil Nadu | A festival of lamps in the same season; its date follows the Tamil calendar, so check locally |
How to celebrate Dev Diwali at home
- Bathe early, ideally in a river or with a few drops of Ganga jal in your bath water.
- Light diyas at the entrance, near the tulsi plant, at the well or water source, and on the terrace in the evening.
- Offer a deep daan by floating a lamp on a river or pond if one is nearby and it is safe.
- Worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and read the Satyanarayan katha, which many families do on Purnima.
- Give charity: food, clothes, lamps or blankets as winter begins.
What to wear on Dev Diwali
Dev Diwali is an evening festival of lamps by the water, and the weather is turning cool. Choose fabrics that glow in lamplight and keep you warm enough.
| Occasion | Outfit idea | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Evening Ganga aarti in Varanasi | A Banarasi silk or Banarasi tissue saree in gold, red or ivory | Wearing a Banarasi in Banaras itself is a special experience, and zari glows beautifully in diya light |
| Boat ride or long hours on the ghats | A Chanderi or cotton-silk saree or a kurta set, with a shawl | Light to walk in, layered for the cool river breeze |
| Gurdwara visit (Guru Nanak Jayanti) | A salwar suit with a dupatta to cover the head | Modest and respectful; easy to sit on the floor for langar |
| Puja and lamps at home | A silk-cotton saree in white, ivory or yellow | Calm and festive for the full moon evening |
| Girls and teenagers | A light lehenga or anarkali with a jacket or shawl | Pretty for photos, warm for the evening |
Learn how to tell a real Banarasi from a powerloom copy in our pure silk identification guide, and read about the region's weaves on our North India textiles page.
Safety near open flames and water
- Pin pallus and dupattas when lighting lamps or floating diyas.
- Prefer silk and cotton; synthetics can melt if they catch a spark.
- Wear footwear with grip; ghat steps can be wet and slippery.
Charity ideas for Kartik Purnima
Giving (daan) is central to Kartik Purnima. Simple, useful ideas as winter begins:
- Blankets or shawls for people sleeping outdoors.
- Food for a langar, temple kitchen or shelter.
- Diyas, oil and wicks for a local temple.
- Warm clothes for children, or handloom sarees for women who work with you at home.
Celebrating Dev Diwali abroad
Outside India, families mark Kartik Purnima by lighting diyas on the balcony or doorstep, doing a short Shiva or Vishnu puja, and joining Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations at the local gurdwara. Some Hindu temples hold a lamp-lighting evening on the nearest weekend. The full moon may fall on a different calendar date depending on your time zone, so check a panchang for your city.
Closing the festival season
Dev Diwali brings the long festive fortnight to an end, from Dhanteras shopping to Diwali lamps, the Gujarati New Year, Bhai Dooj, Chhath, Labh Pancham and Tulsi Vivah. It is also a good moment to care for the clothes that carried you through it: air your silks, remove stains early, and fold them in muslin. Our silk saree care guide explains each step, so your sarees are ready for the wedding season that has just begun.
Diwali season 2026 calendar
| Fri, 6 Nov | Dhanteras |
| Sat, 7 Nov (night) | Kali Chaudas / Narak Chaturdashi |
| Sun, 8 Nov | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) |
| Tue, 10 Nov | Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) |
| Wed, 11 Nov | Bhai Dooj / Bhai Beej |
| Sat, 14 Nov | Labh Pancham |
| Fri 13 – Mon 16 Nov | Chhath Puja |
| Fri, 20 Nov | Dev Uthi Agiyaras / Tulsi Vivah |
| Tue, 24 Nov | Dev Diwali (Kartik Purnima) (you are here) |
Dates are for India; check your local panchang, as some festivals shift by a day in other cities and abroad.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dev Diwali in 2026?
Dev Diwali is on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, the Kartik Purnima (full moon of Kartik), fifteen days after Diwali.
Why is Dev Diwali celebrated?
It celebrates Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura. The gods are believed to have come down to the Ganga at Kashi and lit lamps, so the day is called the Diwali of the gods.
What is the Dev Diwali muhurat in 2026?
The Pradosh Kaal for lighting lamps is about 5:09 PM to 7:54 PM, and the Purnima tithi runs from about 11:42 PM on 23 November to 8:23 PM on 24 November. Timings are approximate; check a panchang for your city.
Where is Dev Diwali celebrated?
It is celebrated most grandly on the ghats of Varanasi, where lakhs of diyas are lit along the Ganga. Kartik Purnima is also celebrated across India with lamps and holy baths.
Is Guru Nanak Jayanti on the same day as Dev Diwali?
Yes. Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, which is Tuesday, 24 November 2026.
What is the difference between Diwali and Dev Diwali?
Diwali is celebrated on the Kartik Amavasya (new moon) with Lakshmi Puja. Dev Diwali is fifteen days later on the Kartik Purnima (full moon) and honours the gods' celebration of Shiva's victory.
What should I wear to Dev Diwali in Varanasi?
A Banarasi silk or Chanderi saree for the evening aarti, or a comfortable kurta set for long hours on the ghats, with a shawl for the cool river breeze and footwear with good grip.
How can I watch Dev Diwali in Varanasi?
Book a hotel and a boat ride weeks in advance, reach the ghats by mid-afternoon, and watch from a boat for the best view. Quieter ghats like Assi or Rajghat are easier with families.
What is deep daan on Kartik Purnima?
Deep daan is floating a lamp, usually in a small leaf boat with flowers, on a river or pond as an offering. It is a central ritual of Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali.
What is Tripuri Pournima?
Tripuri Pournima is the Marathi name for Kartik Purnima, when temples light their deepmal (lamp towers) to mark Shiva's victory over Tripurasura.
What festivals come before Dev Diwali?
Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas, Diwali, the Gujarati New Year, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja, Labh Pancham and Dev Uthani Ekadashi with Tulsi Vivah, all in November 2026.