Karthika Pournami 2026 Celebrations and Events in Tirumala-Tirupati

Quick answer: Karthika Pournami 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November, the full moon of Karthika Masam, which runs from 10 November to 8 December 2026. At Tirumala-Tirupati the evening is marked by lamp-lighting, special worship and, traditionally, a full-moon Garuda Seva. TTD announces exact timings and seva schedules closer to the date. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, Karthika Pournami falls about three weeks later than last year.

Karthika Pournami 2026 at a glance

For Brahma Muhurta, moonrise and the exact Purnima tithi window, check Drik Panchang for Tirupati or the TTD calendar.

Why Karthika Pournami is called Tripurari Pournami

According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva destroyed the three flying demon cities known as Tripura on this full-moon night, earning the name Tripurari, the enemy of Tripura. The Puranas describe how the gods pooled their power into a single arrow, with Mount Meru as Shiva's bow, to defeat the asuras Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali and Kamalaksha. In gratitude, the devas lit lamps across the heavens, which is why devotees light lamps on this night.

At Tirumala this story sits within a Vaishnava devotional setting. Kartika is described in the Padma Purana as a month especially dear to Lord Vishnu, and in the Sri Vaishnava tradition shaped by Sri Ramanujacharya all divine acts are seen as expressions of Narayana's will. Lighting lamps on Karthika Pournami at the shrine of Lord Venkateswara is therefore an act of honouring the one divine principle behind every form, Shiva's triumph and Vishnu's all-pervading light together.

How Tirumala celebrates Karthika Pournami

Karthika Deepotsavam at the Srivari temple

The heart of the evening at the Sri Venkateswara temple is the lighting of lamps, a Karthika Deepotsavam in which ghee lamps are lit and offered in the temple after the evening worship. Worship at Tirumala follows the ancient Vaikhanasa Agama, and the final camphor harati, which burns away without residue, is seen as a symbol of the ego dissolving in the Lord's light. On festival days TTD sometimes adjusts or cancels certain arjitha sevas, so check the day's schedule.

Full-moon Garuda Seva

Tirumala traditionally holds a Garuda Seva on Pournami evenings, when the utsava murthy of Lord Malayappa Swami is taken in procession on the golden Garuda vahana around the four mada veedhis (temple streets), accompanied by nadaswaram, Vedic chanting and Divya Prabandham recitation. Seeing the Lord on Garuda under the Kartika full moon is a deeply cherished darshan. Confirm with TTD that the Garuda Seva is scheduled for 24 November 2026 and note the start time.

Swami Pushkarini

Swami Pushkarini, the sacred tank beside the main temple, is regarded as one of the holiest tirthas in South India. Tradition, recorded in the Puranic accounts of Tirumala, holds that it was brought from Vaikuntha, and a bath in its waters during Kartika is believed to equal bathing in all the sacred rivers. Many pilgrims take a dip early in the morning before darshan. Kartika also brings Ksheerabdi Dwadashi, the day after Prabodhini Ekadashi, an important festival at the Pushkarini.

Celebrations around Tirupati

• Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanur: about five kilometres from Tirupati, the temple of Goddess Padmavathi, regarded as a manifestation of Lakshmi, celebrates its annual Karthika Brahmotsavam during this month, culminating in Panchami Theertham. Check TTD for 2026 dates.
• Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple: the Shiva temple at the foot of the hills beside the Kapila Theertham waterfall is a natural place to worship on Tripurari Pournami and Karthika Somavarams.
• Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple: the great temple in the heart of Tirupati city, which many pilgrims visit before going up the hill.
• Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple: another historic TTD temple in Tirupati town.

Tulsi Vivah on 21 November is also widely observed in Telugu homes, with the Tulasi plant decorated and married to Lord Vishnu as the Shaligrama, as the Chaturmas season ends and the wedding season opens.

Common elements of the celebrations

• Lamps: ghee and sesame-oil lamps with cotton wicks, at the temple and in pilgrims' homes.
• Abhishekam and archana: special worship in Shiva and Vishnu temples throughout the region.
• Annadanam: TTD's free meal service feeds pilgrims every day at Tirumala.
• Music and devotion: Annamacharya sankirtanas, Carnatic music and Telugu bhajans.
• Prasadam: the famous Tirupati laddu is the prasadam every pilgrim takes home.

How to plan your Karthika Pournami pilgrimage

Getting there

• Air: Tirupati Airport (TIR) at Renigunta, about 15 km from Tirupati city.
• Rail: Tirupati railway station (TPTY), with Renigunta Junction nearby.
• Road: APSRTC and TTD buses run frequently from Tirupati to Tirumala; private taxis are also available.
• On foot: the Alipiri footpath, roughly 3,550 steps, and the shorter Srivari Mettu path are both popular for those who wish to climb as an offering.

Darshan and accommodation

• Book darshan tokens, special entry tickets and rooms through the official TTD website or app as soon as quotas open; festival days fill quickly.
• Arriving a day early, on 23 November, reduces stress and lets you visit the Tirupati temples first.
• TTD accommodation complexes in Tirupati, such as Srinivasam and Vishnu Nivasam, and cottages at Tirumala are allotted through TTD booking.
• Check current rules, ticket prices and quotas on TTD's official channels, as they change from time to time.

What to wear and carry

• Traditional dress for darshan: dhoti or kurta-pyjama for men; saree, half-saree or churidar with dupatta for women.
• Warm layers for the evening, as the hills can be cool in late November.
• Valid photo ID for darshan and accommodation.
• Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple; use the free deposit counters.

Celebrating Karthika Pournami at home or abroad

If you cannot travel to Tirumala, you can still make the night special. After local sunset on 24 November, clean the puja room, draw a muggu at the door and light lamps, traditionally 365 wicks to cover every day of the year, or a simple row of diyas. Offer tulasi and flowers to Lord Venkateswara, chant "Om Namo Venkatesaya" or "Govinda Govinda", and recite the Venkatesa Suprabhatam or Sri Venkateswara Stotram. Many families also fast until moonrise and visit their local Balaji temple, several of which in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia hold Karthika Pournami deepotsavams; check with your temple for 2026 timings.

For NRIs, TTD's Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel (SVBC) is the easiest way to follow Tirumala events. Remember that a Tirumala evening programme will fall in the morning or the middle of the night in North America and Europe, so watch the recording if needed and keep your own lamp-lighting to your local evening.

Frequently asked questions

When is Karthika Pournami 2026?

Karthika Pournami (Kartika Purnima, Tripurari Pournami) is on Tuesday 24 November 2026, in India and in most other countries. It is about three weeks later than last year because 2026 has an extra lunar month.

When is Karthika Masam 2026?

In the Telugu calendar, Karthika Masam 2026 runs from 10 November to Karthika Amavasya on 8 December. The Karthika Somavarams are 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December.

Is there a Garuda Seva at Tirumala on Karthika Pournami?

Tirumala traditionally holds a Garuda Seva on full-moon evenings, and Karthika Pournami is one of the most cherished. TTD confirms each month's schedule, so check the official TTD website or app before planning around it.

Do I need to book darshan in advance?

Yes, if possible. Darshan tokens, special entry tickets and accommodation are released online by TTD and sell out quickly for festival days in Karthika. Free Sarva Darshan is always available, but waiting times can be very long.

Can NRIs watch the Karthika Pournami celebrations from abroad?

Yes. TTD's Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel (SVBC) broadcasts and streams major Tirumala events. Note the time difference, and light your own lamps at home after local sunset.

What should I wear at Tirumala?

Traditional dress is required for darshan: dhoti or kurta-pyjama for men, and saree, half-saree or churidar with dupatta for women.

Conclusion

Karthika Pournami at Tirumala-Tirupati is Balaji's grace shining as light: lamps glowing in the temple, the Lord on Garuda under the full moon, and the Seven Hills alive with chants of Govinda. On Tuesday 24 November 2026, whether you take a dip in Swami Pushkarini, climb the Alipiri steps or light a diya at home thousands of miles away, become part of this timeless tradition.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

This article has been updated for 2026 with Drik Panchang dates. Time-specific muhurats, ticket prices and event details from earlier editions have been removed, along with claims we could not verify. For exact timings, seva schedules and bookings, please rely on TTD's official website and app.

Related guides

• Karthika Pournami 2026
• Karthika Masam 2026
• Karthika Somavaram 2026
• Tulsi Vivah 2026
• November 2026 festival calendar