Dev Diwali 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November, the full moon of Kartik that arrives fifteen days after Diwali.
Known as the Diwali of the gods, it is the night the ghats of Kashi glow with lakhs of diyas, & devotees believe the devtas themselves descend to bathe in the Ganga.
At its heart is Lord Shiva as Tripurari, the one who ended the three cities of the asura Tripurasura. Here is a gentle guide to its story, its rituals & why Rudraksha, the bead born of Shiva’s tears, belongs to this sacred night.
Key takeaways
- Dev Diwali 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November, on Kartik Purnima
- It celebrates Lord Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura, which is why the day is also called Tripuri or Tripurari Purnima
- Varanasi is its heart, with lakhs of diyas lit along the ghats of the Ganga after sunset
- Ganga snan at dawn, deepdaan at dusk & Shiva puja in Pradosh kaal are its core practices
- Scripture links the origin of Rudraksha to the tears Shiva shed before the battle with Tripurasura, making this night especially meaningful for those who wear it.
When is Dev Diwali 2026?
Dev Diwali is observed on Purnima tithi of the month of Kartik. In 2026, the full moon tithi begins late on the night of Monday, 23 November & continues through the evening of Tuesday, 24 November, so the festival is celebrated on the 24th.
- Date: Tuesday, 24 November 2026
- Tithi: Kartik Purnima
- Also known as: Dev Deepawali, Tripuri Purnima & Tripurari Purnima
- Main observance: deepdaan & Shiva puja in Pradosh kaal, after sunset
- Same full moon: Karthigai Deepam in South India & Guru Nanak Jayanti
In the North Indian calendar, this night also brings the sacred month of Kartik to a close, making Dev Diwali the grand finale of a month of lamps.
Check your city’s muhurat on Drik Panchang →
Why Dev Diwali is called the Diwali of the gods
Diwali falls on Kartik Amavasya, the darkest night of the month, when families light lamps to welcome Maa Lakshmi into their homes. Dev Diwali falls fifteen days later, on the brightest night, the full moon.
Tradition holds that while Diwali is the festival of people, Dev Diwali is the festival of the devtas. It is believed that on this night the gods descend to Kashi, bathe in the Ganga & light lamps in celebration of Lord Shiva’s victory. Devotees light diyas along the river to welcome them.
The story of Tripurasura & Shiva
The Puranas tell of three asura brothers, the sons of Tarakasura, who pleased Lord Brahma with their tapasya. They were granted three magnificent cities, one of gold, one of silver & one of iron, that moved through the earth, the sky & the heavens. Together, these cities were called Tripura.
The boon came with one condition. Tripura could be destroyed only when the three cities aligned, & only by a single arrow. Protected by this, the brothers grew proud & began to trouble the devtas & the sages.
The gods turned to Lord Shiva. The earth became his chariot, the sun & moon its wheels, Mount Meru his bow & Lord Vishnu himself his arrow. When the three cities came into line, Shiva released a single arrow & Tripura fell.
This victory gave Shiva the name Tripurari, the destroyer of Tripura. The devtas rejoiced by lighting lamps, & that celebration lives on every year as Dev Diwali.
How Rudraksha is linked to Dev Diwali
For those who wear Rudraksha, Dev Diwali carries a deeper meaning. The Shiva Purana describes how Lord Shiva sat in deep meditation for a very long time before his battle with Tripurasura.
When he finally opened his eyes, tears fell from them to the earth. Where they fell, Rudraksha trees grew.
The word Rudraksha itself comes from Rudra, a name of Shiva, & aksha, meaning eyes or tears. So the night that celebrates Shiva’s victory over Tripura is also, in a sense, a remembrance of how Rudraksha came to be.
How Dev Diwali is celebrated in Varanasi
There is no sight quite like Kashi on Dev Diwali. As the sun sets, lakhs of earthen diyas are lit along the ghats of the Ganga, from one end of the city’s riverfront to the other. The steps, the temples & the water all seem to glow at once.
- Ganga snan at dawn: devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga, believed to be especially purifying on Kartik Purnima.
- Deepdaan: diyas are lit on the ghats & floated on the river as offerings.
- Ganga aarti: the evening aarti on the ghats is performed with great grandeur on this night.
- Ganga Mahotsav: the cultural festival of music & dance held in the days before traditionally ends with Dev Diwali.
Varanasi becomes very crowded around Dev Diwali, so devotees planning to visit usually arrange their stay well in advance.
Dev Diwali rituals you can follow at home
You do not need to be in Kashi to honour Dev Diwali. The spirit of the night lives in a few simple, heartfelt practices.
1. Begin with a sacred bath. Wake early & bathe before sunrise. If you have Ganga jal at home, add a few drops to your bathing water.
2. Offer water to the rising sun. A simple arghya with folded hands sets a calm tone for the day.
3. Light diyas at dusk. Place lamps at your door, in your puja space, near the tulsi plant & at any water source in your home.
4. Perform Shiva puja in Pradosh kaal. Offer water, milk & bel patra to a Shivling, & chant Om Namah Shivaya.
5. Do japa with your Rudraksha mala. A round of 108 chants on this night is believed to carry special merit.
6. Give daan. Offering food, til, clothes or lamps to those in need is a cherished part of Kartik Purnima.
Learn how to do japa with a Rudraksha mala →
Rudraksha associated with Lord Shiva
Since Dev Diwali honours Shiva as Tripurari, many devotees choose this night to begin wearing a Rudraksha connected with him, or to offer their existing beads in puja before wearing them again. Every Rudraksha is a blessing of Shiva, but these four are directly linked to him.
- 1 Mukhi Rudraksha: representing Lord Shiva himself, this bead is traditionally believed to bless the wearer with spiritual awakening, focus & inner peace.
Explore 1 Mukhi Rudraksha → - Sawar Rudraksha: representing Lord Shiva, this rare bead of two naturally joined Rudraksha is traditionally believed to bless the wearer with spiritual growth, wealth & success.
Explore Sawar Rudraksha → - 15 Mukhi Rudraksha: representing Pashupatinath, Shiva as the lord of all beings, this bead is traditionally believed to bless the wearer with emotional balance, intuition & protection.
Explore 15 Mukhi Rudraksha → - 5 Mukhi Rudraksha: representing Kalagni Rudra, a form of Shiva, this bead is traditionally believed to bless the wearer with peace, health & clarity of mind.
Explore 5 Mukhi Rudraksha →
Rudralife’s Note: Rudralife’s 1 Mukhi is the authentic South Indian half-moon (Chandrakar) bead. A 1 Mukhi from Nepal does not exist in any shape.
Every devotee is different. Rudralife’s recommendations are based on your date of birth, using astro-numerology, to suggest the Rudraksha suited to you.
Get your personalised Rudraksha recommendation →
Pujas like Rudra Abhishek are traditionally performed on Kartik Purnima, & Rudralife has conducted pujas like these over its 25 years.
See Rudralife’s upcoming pujas & exclusive offers →
If you prefer to see Rudraksha in person, come visit us.
Find a Rudralife exhibition near you →
Frequently asked questions
1. When is Dev Diwali in 2026? Dev Diwali 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November, on the Purnima tithi of the month of Kartik.
2. What is the difference between Diwali & Dev Diwali? Diwali is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya, when families light lamps to welcome Maa Lakshmi. Dev Diwali comes fifteen days later on Kartik Purnima, & is believed to be the night the gods themselves celebrate Lord Shiva’s victory over Tripurasura.
3. Why is Dev Diwali celebrated in Varanasi? Varanasi, or Kashi, is revered as the city of Lord Shiva. It is believed the devtas descend to its ghats on this night to bathe in the Ganga & celebrate Shiva’s victory, which is why Kashi is the heart of the festival.
4. Which god is worshipped on Dev Diwali? Lord Shiva is worshipped as Tripurari, the destroyer of Tripura. Maa Ganga is also honoured through snan, aarti & deepdaan.
5. Can I celebrate Dev Diwali at home? Yes. A sacred bath at sunrise, diyas at dusk, Shiva puja in Pradosh kaal, japa & daan are simple ways to honour the night wherever you are.
6. How is Rudraksha connected to Dev Diwali? The Devi Bhagavata Purana describes Rudraksha as born from the tears Lord Shiva shed after long meditation before his battle with Tripurasura. Dev Diwali celebrates that same victory.
7. Which Rudraksha is associated with Lord Shiva? Every Rudraksha is a blessing of Shiva, but the 1 Mukhi, Sawar, 15 Mukhi & 5 Mukhi are directly linked to him. A date-of-birth recommendation can help you choose the one suited to you.
8. Is Dev Diwali the same as Kartik Purnima? Yes. Dev Diwali, Dev Deepawali, Tripuri Purnima & Kartik Purnima all refer to the same full moon night, each name highlighting a different side of its significance.
Bottom line
Dev Diwali is the night the light of Diwali returns, this time under a full moon & in honour of Shiva himself. Whether you stand on the ghats of Kashi or light a single diya at home, the invitation is the same: to offer light with a quiet heart.
For those who wear Rudraksha, it is also a gentle reminder of where the bead began, in the tears of Tripurari.
Disclaimer: Festival dates & timings are based on Drik Panchang & may vary slightly by city. Rudraksha is a sacred bead of devotion; its benefits are shared here as described in scripture, tradition & the experience of devotees.
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