Quick answer: Karthika Pournami 2026 UK date is Tuesday 24 November 2026. Purnima tithi begins at 6:12 PM on Monday 23 November and ends at 2:53 PM on Tuesday 24 November (UK time, GMT), the same in every UK city. Because Purnima ends before sunset on Tuesday, the evening of Monday 23 November is also inside Purnima. Light your lamps on the evening your temple or family follows.

Karthigai Deepam falls on the same day, Tuesday 24 November, and Monday 23 November is also a Karthika Somavaram in the UK. Below you will find Purnima times and sunsets for nine UK cities, a clear explanation of the two evenings, and a practical guide to the 365-wick deepam, Jwala Thoranam, Satyanarayana vratam and deepa daanam in British homes.

Source: the UK dates and times here are from Drik Panchang for UK cities. All times are UK local time. Do not use India's clock times in the UK.

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Karthika Pournami 2026 UK: Purnima time and sunset by city

Purnima tithi starts and ends at the same moment everywhere in the UK, because the whole country uses one time zone. Only sunset changes from city to city, by up to about 20 minutes between Edinburgh and Cardiff.

CityPurnima beginsPurnima endsSunset Mon 23 NovSunset Tue 24 Nov
LondonMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM4:01 PM4:00 PM
LeicesterMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM4:01 PM4:00 PM
BirminghamMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM4:04 PM4:03 PM
ManchesterMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM4:01 PM4:00 PM
LeedsMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM3:57 PM3:56 PM
CardiffMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM4:14 PM4:13 PM
GlasgowMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM3:57 PM3:56 PM
EdinburghMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM3:53 PM3:51 PM
BelfastMon 23 Nov, 6:12 PMTue 24 Nov, 2:53 PM4:11 PM4:09 PM

Two things stand out. On Monday 23 November, Purnima begins about two hours after sunset. On Tuesday 24 November, Purnima ends about an hour before sunset. So in the UK there is no evening when Purnima is running at sunset itself. That is why families divide between the two evenings.

Monday evening or Tuesday evening? How UK families decide

Karthika Pournami is fixed on Tuesday 24 November because Purnima is the tithi at sunrise that day. That is the date you will see on Drik Panchang, temple calendars and most Telugu calendars printed for the UK. But the lamp-lighting tradition is tied to the evening, and here the UK clock creates a choice.

  • Monday 23 November, after 6:12 PM: Purnima tithi is running. This evening is also a Karthika Somavaram, so many Shiva devotees already plan an evening puja and lamp. Families who prefer to light the Pournami deepam while Purnima is current often choose this night.
  • Tuesday 24 November, morning to 2:53 PM: Purnima is running from sunrise. Morning bath (Karthika snanam), a Satyanarayana vratam or a temple visit fit naturally into this window if your schedule allows.
  • Tuesday 24 November, evening: this is the calendar festival day and the Karthigai Deepam day, so many temples and homes still light lamps after sunset, even though the tithi has technically moved on.

There is no single right answer. Follow your temple or family custom. If you are unsure, ask the priest at your local temple which evening they observe for the Pournami deepam and Jwala Thoranam. Many households simply light a lamp on both evenings.

Rituals of Karthika Pournami

Karthika Pournami is the brightest night of the Karthika month. As commonly told, it marks Shiva's victory over the three demon cities (Tripurasura), which is why it is also called Tripurari Pournami. It is honoured by both Shaiva and Vaishnava families.

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365-wick deepam (365 vattula deepam)

Many Telugu families light a single lamp with 365 cotton wicks twisted together, one for each day of the year. As commonly told, lighting it on Pournami brings the merit of a lamp lit every day of the year. The wicks are soaked in ghee or sesame oil and placed in a wide lamp. See our complete guide to the 365-wick deepam.

Jwala Thoranam

In many Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a frame of straw or cloth (the thoranam) is set alight on Karthika Pournami night, and the deity is carried beneath it. It is a temple ritual, not a home ritual. UK temples that hold it will announce it themselves; check your local temple's website or notice board.

Satyanarayana vratam

Pournami is a favoured day for the Satyanarayana vratam and katha. In the UK, families often hold it at home on Tuesday 24 November, or on the nearest weekend when relatives can attend. Ask your priest about the timing.

Deepa daanam and Karthika snanam

Gifting a lit lamp (deepa daanam) to a temple, a priest or a neighbour is a traditional act of the day. An early warm bath at home before puja stands in for the river bath of India; please do not bathe in cold rivers or lakes in November. See Karthika snanam and deepa daanam 2026.

Karthigai Deepam on the same day

Tamil households celebrate Karthigai Deepam on Tuesday 24 November 2026, lighting rows of small clay lamps. As commonly told, it recalls the endless column of fire in which Shiva appeared to Brahma and Vishnu. See Karthigai Deepam 2026.

Lamp safety in UK homes and flats

Many UK homes have smoke alarms in hallways and kitchens, and rented flats, student halls and council properties often limit open flames. The 365-wick lamp in particular burns with a large flame.

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  • Place the lamp on a metal tray on a stable, heat-proof surface, well away from curtains, cards, flowers and paper decorations.
  • Keep lamps at least a metre from smoke alarms, and never disconnect an alarm.
  • Open a window slightly when burning ghee or oil, especially in small rooms.
  • Never leave a lit lamp alone, and keep children and pets away.
  • Do not put lamps on windowsills under blinds, or in shared hallways.
  • If your tenancy or building rules forbid open flames, use LED diyas. A sincere offering matters more than the type of light.

Planning around a UK working week

  • Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 November are working and school days. With sunset around 4 PM, most people will light lamps after returning home, which on Monday is close to when Purnima begins at 6:12 PM.
  • If you want to perform puja while Purnima is running on Tuesday, it has to be before 2:53 PM. A short morning puja before work is the simplest option.
  • Community celebrations are often held on the weekend after Pournami. Check your temple's announcements rather than relying on last year's dates.
  • When video-calling family in India, remember they are several hours ahead, so their evening lamp will be lit while it is still afternoon in the UK.

For temples to visit, see Shiva temples for Karthika Masam 2026 in the UK, and for the full month see Karthika Masam 2026 in the UK, city by city.

Frequently asked questions

When is Karthika Pournami 2026 in the UK?

Karthika Pournami 2026 in the UK is on Tuesday 24 November, per Drik Panchang for UK cities. Purnima tithi begins at 6:12 PM on Monday 23 November and ends at 2:53 PM on Tuesday 24 November, UK time (GMT). The times are the same across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Should I light the Pournami lamps on Monday or Tuesday evening?

Both evenings are followed. Monday evening after 6:12 PM falls inside Purnima tithi, which is why some families and temples light the main lamps then. Tuesday 24 November is the calendar festival day, but Purnima ends at 2:53 PM, before sunset. Follow your temple or family custom; if unsure, ask the priest at your local temple.

Is Karthigai Deepam on the same day in the UK?

Yes. Karthigai Deepam also falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026 in the UK, so Telugu and Tamil households will be lighting lamps on the same date.

Is Monday 23 November a Karthika Somavaram in the UK?

Yes. In the UK Karthika Masam begins on Monday 9 November, and the Somavarams are 9, 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December. Monday 23 November is a Somavaram, and its evening also falls inside Purnima tithi from 6:12 PM.

Can I do the 365-wick deepam in a UK flat?

Yes, with care. The 365 wicks make a large flame, so use a heavy brass or steel lamp on a metal tray, keep it away from curtains and smoke alarms, open a window slightly, and never leave it alone. If your building does not allow open flames, a smaller lamp or an LED diya is a sincere alternative.

Can I use India's Pournami times in the UK?

No. Always use UK local times. The Purnima start and end times in this guide are already given in UK time, so no conversion is needed.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. UK dates, Purnima times and sunsets are from Drik Panchang for UK cities and are shown in UK local time. We have not listed temple event times; please check your local temple directly.