Kartik Purnima Melas 2026: Pushkar, Sonepur, Garhmukteshwar, Kolayat, Somnath and Dev Deepawali

Quick answer: Every Kartik Purnima mela 2026 centres on the full moon of Kartik, which falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026 (Drik Panchang). The great fairs are held at Pushkar and Kolayat in Rajasthan, at Sonepur in Bihar, at Garhmukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh and at Somnath in Gujarat, while Varanasi celebrates Dev Deepawali on the ghats.

Each fair has its own official dates, which are announced by the state government or district administration. This guide gives only the Kartik Purnima date. For fair dates, programmes and travel rules, always follow the official announcement.

Kartik Purnima mela 2026: date at a glance

Per Drik Panchang (New Delhi), Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM IST on Monday 23 November to 8:23 PM IST on Tuesday 24 November 2026. Drik also lists Pushkara Snana, Dev Diwali and the end of Bhishma Panchak (20 to 24 November) on the full moon. Official fair dates usually extend for several days around the full moon, but only the authorities can confirm them.

Why Kartik Purnima draws such crowds

Kartik is considered one of the holiest months, and its full moon is its most sacred day. Tradition holds that a bath in a holy river or lake on this day, followed by charity and the offering of lamps, brings great merit. The day is also linked with Shiva's victory over Tripurasura, which is why it is called Tripurari Purnima. Because so many pilgrims gather at the same places, trade fairs, animal markets and cultural events grew up around the bathing days over the centuries.

Pushkar, Rajasthan

Pushkar lies near Ajmer around a sacred lake surrounded by ghats. As commonly told, Lord Brahma dropped a lotus here, and the lake formed where its petals fell. Brahma is then said to have performed a great yajna at Pushkar. Pushkar's Brahma temple is one of the very few temples in India dedicated to him.

The last days of Kartik, ending on the full moon, are the holiest time for bathing in Pushkar Lake. Alongside the bathing, the Pushkar fair is famous for its camel and livestock trading and its cultural events. See Pushkar Kartik Purnima Snan 2026 for ghat etiquette and the holy dip.

Sonepur (Harihar Kshetra), Bihar

Sonepur stands where the Gandak river meets the Ganga, near Hajipur and north of Patna. The Hariharnath temple here is dedicated to Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva) together. As commonly told, this is the place of Gajendra Moksha, where an elephant caught by a crocodile in the water prayed to Lord Vishnu and was saved.

Pilgrims bathe at the confluence on Kartik Purnima. The Sonepur Mela is often described as one of the largest fairs in Asia and has a long history as a livestock fair. The Bihar government announces its official dates and rules. See Sonepur Mela 2026.

Garhmukteshwar, Uttar Pradesh

Garhmukteshwar lies on the Ganga in western Uttar Pradesh, within reach of Delhi and the western UP towns. The town is associated with the Mukteshwar Mahadev temple. As commonly told, the Pandavas prayed here for the souls of those who died in the Kurukshetra war, and so the Kartik Purnima fair became a time for prayers for departed family members as well as for the holy dip.

Lakhs of pilgrims camp in tents along the river for the fair. The district administration announces the dates, bathing ghats, parking and traffic plans.

Kolayat, Rajasthan

Kolayat, in Bikaner district, is built around a sacred lake linked with the sage Kapil Muni, who is honoured as the founder of the Sankhya philosophy. As commonly told, Kapil Muni performed penance here. On Kartik Purnima pilgrims bathe in the lake and light lamps on its ghats, and a fair with a livestock market is held around the full moon.

Somnath, Gujarat

At Somnath, home of the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the Kartiki Purnima melo is a well-known fair held on the seashore around the full moon. Pilgrims take darshan of Somnath Mahadev and enjoy folk performances and stalls. The temple trust and local authorities announce the programme. See 12 Jyotirlingas guide.

Dev Deepawali, Varanasi

In Varanasi, Kartik Purnima is Dev Deepawali, "the Diwali of the gods". As commonly told, the gods come down to the Ganga to celebrate Shiva's victory over Tripurasura. On the evening of Tuesday 24 November 2026, the ghats are lit with countless clay lamps and the Ganga aarti is performed. The day before, Monday 23 November, is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi with Manikarnika Snan. See Dev Deepawali in Varanasi and Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026.

Safety and crowd tips

• Check official dates first: do not book travel on a guessed fair date. Follow the state government or district administration's announcement.
• Avoid the peak hour if you can: the full-moon morning is the most crowded. Elderly pilgrims may prefer a nearby day or a quieter ghat.
• Bathe only at marked ghats: river currents can be strong. Stay within ropes or barriers and follow lifeguards and police.
• Fix a meeting point: agree on a landmark in case someone gets lost. Put a name and phone number card in each child's pocket.
• Carry ID and little cash: keep valuables to a minimum and watch for pickpockets in crowds.
• Respect animals at livestock fairs: keep a safe distance from camels, horses and cattle, and do not feed them without the owner's permission.
• Keep the river clean: use leaf or clay lamps and avoid plastic and soap in the water.

If you cannot travel, you can still keep the day at home with a morning bath, Shiva or Vishnu worship and lamps after sunset. See Tripurari Purnima 2026 and Karthika Pournami 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is Kartik Purnima 2026?

Kartik Purnima is on Tuesday 24 November 2026 in India, per Drik Panchang. Purnima tithi ends at 8:23 PM IST on 24 November (Drik, New Delhi). Drik also lists Pushkara Snana and Dev Diwali on this day.

When does the Pushkar fair start in 2026?

The Pushkar fair is held around Kartik Purnima, and its main holy dip is on the full moon, Tuesday 24 November 2026. The official fair dates and programme are announced by the Rajasthan authorities. Check the state tourism department's official announcement before you travel.

When is the Sonepur Mela 2026?

The Sonepur Mela is traditionally linked with Kartik Purnima, Tuesday 24 November 2026, when pilgrims bathe at the meeting of the Gandak and the Ganga. The Bihar government announces the fair's official dates and duration.

What is special about Garhmukteshwar on Kartik Purnima?

Garhmukteshwar, on the Ganga in western Uttar Pradesh, holds one of the largest Kartik Purnima bathing fairs in the region. Pilgrims camp on the riverbank and take a holy dip on the full moon. The district administration announces the arrangements.

Is Dev Deepawali the same as Kartik Purnima?

Yes, in Varanasi. Dev Deepawali, "the Diwali of the gods", is celebrated on Kartik Purnima. In 2026 it is on Tuesday 24 November, when the ghats along the Ganga are lit with lamps.

Is it safe to visit a Kartik Purnima mela with children or elderly parents?

It can be, with planning. Crowds are very large on the full moon itself. Choose a less crowded ghat or day, fix a meeting point, carry an ID card for each person, bathe only at marked safe spots and follow police and administration instructions.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. The only date we give is Kartik Purnima, Tuesday 24 November 2026, with tithi times from Drik Panchang (New Delhi, IST). Fair dates, programmes, venues and travel rules are announced by state and district authorities, and we do not invent them. Legends are given as commonly told.

Related guides

• November 2026 Hindu festival calendar
• November 2026 festivals state-wise
• Karthika Snanam and Deepa Daanam 2026
• Bhishma Panchak 2026
• Bali Jatra 2026, Cuttack
• Damodar month 2026