Quick answer: Karthika Pournami 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026 across Canada. It is the full moon of Karthika Masam, which in the Telugu and Kannada calendar runs from 10 November to 8 December 2026, and it closes North Indian Kartik. Nearby days: Devuthani Ekadashi on Friday 20 November, Tulsi Vivah on Saturday 21 November and Karthika Somavaram on Monday 23 November. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, the festival comes about three weeks later than last year.

What is Karthika Pournami?

Karthika Pournami, also called Kartika Purnima, Tripurari Purnima or Dev Deepawali, the gods' festival of lights, is the full moon of the holy month of Kartika. It is especially dear to Hindus because it honours both Shiva and Vishnu. In Tamil tradition, Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the Krittika nakshatra day of the month of Karthigai, which usually falls on or close to this full moon; check your temple calendar for its 2026 date.

Legends of the day

  • Shiva as Tripurantaka: Shiva destroyed the three flying cities of the demon Tripurasura with a single arrow.
  • Matsya avatar: Vishnu took the form of a fish to save the Vedas from the great flood.
  • Raas leela: in Vaishnava tradition, Krishna danced with Radha and the gopis under the Kartik full moon.
  • Kartikeya: in parts of South India the day honours Shiva's son Kartikeya, and the month is named after the Krittika stars who nursed him.

Scriptures praise lamp lighting, bathing and charity on this day as bringing great merit, karmic purification and the blessings of Shiva, Vishnu and Kartikeya.

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Karthika 2026 Dates for Canadian Devotees

Date (2026)Observance
Tue 10 NovKarthika Masam begins (Telugu/Kannada amanta)
Mon 16 NovFirst Karthika Somavaram
Fri 20 NovDevuthani (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Sat 21 NovTulsi Vivah
Mon 23 NovSecond Karthika Somavaram
Tue 24 NovKarthika Pournami
Mon 30 Nov and Mon 7 DecThird and fourth Karthika Somavaram
Tue 8 DecKarthika Amavasya, month ends

For exact Purnima tithi and moonrise times in your city, use Drik Panchang set to your location. Do not convert Indian times to Canadian time zones.

Essential Rituals

  • Lighting lamps (deepam): light oil or ghee lamps at dawn and dusk at the entrance, the altar and the tulsi plant. South Indian families often light a lamp of 365 wicks, one for each day of the year.
  • Holy bath (snanam): bathe before sunrise; add a little Ganga jal if you have it and chant a mantra.
  • Fasting (vratam): a full fast until moonrise, a partial fast of fruit and milk, or simply a sattvic, grain-free day.
  • Temple visit and puja: offer bilva leaves to Shiva, tulsi to Vishnu, plus flowers, fruit, coconut, incense and camphor.
  • Charity and annadanam: donate food, warm clothing or a contribution to a temple or food bank.

City-Wise Guide to Temples in Canada

The temples below are long-established centres of Hindu worship. Programmes and timings change every year, so check your local temple or association for 2026 Karthika Pournami events.

Toronto and the GTA, Ontario

  • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Etobicoke: a large hand-carved mandir that marks major festivals with aarti, bhajans and prasadam.
  • Shaiva-Vaishnava temples in Mississauga, Brampton and Richmond Hill: popular with Telugu and Tamil families for abhishekam, Satyanarayana puja and lamp ceremonies.
  • ISKCON temples: Krishna-focused evening aarti, kirtan and prasadam.
  • Others: Sri Venkateswara Temple (Ajax area), Hindu Sabha Mandir (Brampton) and Vishnu Mandir (Richmond Hill).

Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, British Columbia

  • South Indian temples in the Lower Mainland: Venkateswara and Shiva-Vishnu temples in the region hold abhishekam and deepa programmes.
  • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Surrey and ISKCON Vancouver (Burnaby) for aarti, kirtan and community prasadam.

Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta

  • Hindu Society of Calgary: evening lamps and bhajans; long-serving community hub.
  • Hindu Society of Alberta and BAPS Mandir, Edmonton: puja and devotional programmes; celebrations move indoors in the cold.

Montreal, Quebec

  • Hindu Mandir, Dollard-des-Ormeaux: Lakshmi-Narayan focus with abhishekam and lamp lighting.
  • Thirumurugan Temple: a Tamil temple for Murugan devotees, natural for Karthigai Deepam.
  • ISKCON Montreal: kirtan and prasadam evenings.

Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Halifax

  • Ottawa: Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton and ISKCON Ottawa.
  • Winnipeg: Hindu temples and societies of Manitoba hold Shiva-Vishnu puja and lamp lighting.
  • Regina and Saskatoon: Hindu societies host evening rituals and bhajans.
  • Halifax: the Hindu Society of Nova Scotia holds indoor ceremonies.

Celebrating at Home in Canada

For apartments and small spaces

  • Use LED diyas or lamps in fire-safe holders; keep flames away from smoke detectors and curtains.
  • Set up a compact altar on a shelf or table with images of Shiva, Vishnu and Lakshmi.
  • Play recorded bhajans or Vishnu Sahasranama if you are short of time.

A simple day plan for Tuesday 24 November

  • Before sunrise: bath with prayers, decorate the puja space, light the morning lamp, read a passage from the Bhagavad Gita or Shiva Purana.
  • During the day: fast or eat simply; work as usual.
  • After sunset: light your multi-wick lamp or a row of diyas, offer flowers, perform aarti, sing bhajans, share prasadam and look at the full moon together.

Because the full moon is on a Tuesday this year, many families will also attend their temple's weekend programme. Late November is cold across most of Canada, so plan indoor lamp lighting and dress warmly for temple visits.

Traditional Prasadam Recipes

  • Festive: sweet or ven pongal, vada, payasam or kheer, coconut laddoos, rava kesari and panakam (jaggery drink).
  • Fasting-friendly: fruit, milk and curd, dry fruits and nuts, sabudana khichdi, fruit salad.

Community Organisations

Regional and national groups help bring the festival to life. The Telugu Cultural Association of Greater Toronto, Tamil sangams across Canada, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Canada and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Canada are among those that have organised cultural programmes, volunteer drives and discourses. Check their channels for anything planned in 2026.

Tips for First-Time Celebrants

  • Wear modest or traditional clothes and remove shoes at the entrance.
  • Arrive early, silence your phone and respect photography rules.
  • Bring a small offering or donation if you wish.
  • Allow two to three hours for a festival programme and plan for parking.
  • Interfaith families and newcomers are welcome; volunteers are usually glad to explain.

The Meaning of the Lamp Today

The lamp dispels darkness with knowledge, invites divine grace and links generations. In Canada's long November nights, a single diya on the windowsill becomes a quiet act of faith, and a temple hall filled with lamps becomes a reminder of community. Many temples also tie the season to service, through food banks, scholarships and help for families in need.

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Frequently asked questions

When is Karthika Pournami 2026 in Canada?

Karthika Pournami (Kartika Purnima) is on Tuesday 24 November 2026 across all Canadian time zones.

What if I miss the day itself?

Lighting lamps and worshipping Shiva and Vishnu throughout Karthika Masam (10 November to 8 December 2026) is meritorious. Many temples also hold celebrations on the nearest weekend; ask your priest.

My building does not allow open flames. What can I do?

Use LED or electric diyas. The intention behind the lamp matters most; if possible, light one real lamp at your altar under supervision.

Is a full fast required?

No. Fasting is a personal choice. Children, elders, pregnant women and anyone with a medical condition should eat simply or observe a partial fast.

Are non-Hindus welcome at temple celebrations?

Yes. Canadian temples generally welcome visitors of all backgrounds; dress modestly, remove shoes and follow the guidance of volunteers.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

This guide has been updated for Karthika Pournami 2026, with dates from Drik Panchang for Canada. We have removed last year's tithi times, event schedules and specific programme details. Temples are described in general terms; please check your local temple or association for 2026 programmes and timings.