Pushkar Kartik Purnima Snan 2026: Date, Holy Dip in Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple and Ghat Etiquette

Quick answer: Pushkar Kartik Purnima 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, which Drik Panchang lists as Kartika Purnima and Pushkara Snana. Pilgrims take a holy dip (snan) in the sacred Pushkar lake in Rajasthan and visit the famous Brahma temple. The Pushkar fair is held around Kartik, and its official dates are announced by Rajasthan Tourism.

This guide has been restored at its original hindutone.com address. Dates and times below are from Drik Panchang for New Delhi, in IST. Outside India the date can differ by a day, so check Drik Panchang for your own city.

Pushkar Kartik Purnima 2026 date and tithi

Source: Drik Panchang, New Delhi. Sunrise in Pushkar is a little different from New Delhi. Check Drik Panchang for Pushkar or Ajmer for local timings. We do not list a muhurat clock time for the snan. Many pilgrims bathe early in the morning, around sunrise.

The legend of Pushkar lake and Brahma

Pushkar is a small holy town near Ajmer in Rajasthan, built around a sacred lake. It is counted among the most important tirthas (pilgrimage places) of India, and is often called Tirtharaj, the king of pilgrimage places.

As commonly told, Lord Brahma, the creator, wished to perform a yajna on earth. A lotus fell from his hand, and where it touched the ground, water sprang up and the Pushkar lake was formed. Brahma then performed his great yajna here.

A well-known story says that his wife Savitri was late for the yajna. Because the ritual needed a wife to be present, Brahma married Gayatri so that it could go on. When Savitri arrived, she was hurt and angry, and, as commonly told, she said that Brahma would be worshipped only in Pushkar. This story is often given as the reason why temples to Brahma are so rare. Savitri has a temple on a hill near the town. Details of these stories differ between tellings.

The Brahma temple

The Brahma temple at Pushkar is the best-known temple of Lord Brahma in India, and one of very few. The image shows Brahma with four faces. The temple has been rebuilt and renovated over the centuries and is visited by pilgrims throughout the year, with special crowds in Kartik.

Darshan timings and rules can change, especially on festival days. Please check the temple's official notices or local information for current timings. Photography may not be allowed inside the shrine.

The ghats of Pushkar

Pushkar lake is surrounded by many ghats, the stone steps that lead down to the water. A figure of 52 ghats is often quoted. Among the well-known ones are Brahma Ghat, Varaha Ghat and Gau Ghat. Each ghat has its own stories and temples nearby. Many pilgrims perform puja, offer flowers and lamps, and do rites for their ancestors at the ghats with the help of local priests.

On Kartik Purnima, the ghats are very crowded from before dawn. In the evening, many people float lamps on the lake and join the aarti at the ghats.

Why Kartik Purnima at Pushkar

Kartik is one of the holiest months for bathing in sacred waters. As commonly told, the last five days of Kartik, from Ekadashi to Purnima, are especially sacred at Pushkar and are linked with Brahma's yajna. Kartik Purnima is the high point. A dip on this day is believed to wash away sins and bring great merit. The same day is also Dev Diwali in Varanasi, Karthika Pournami in South India and Guru Nanak Jayanti, per Drik Panchang.

The Pushkar fair

The Pushkar fair, famous for its camel and livestock trading, folk music and cultural events, is held around Kartik and reaches its peak around Kartik Purnima. It brings together pilgrims, traders, herders and visitors from India and abroad.

The official dates and programme of the fair are announced by Rajasthan Tourism. Please check their official announcement before planning your trip. We do not list fair dates, events, accommodation or prices. Book travel and stay only through trusted sources, as Pushkar is very busy at this time.

Ghat etiquette for a respectful snan

• Remove your footwear before you step onto the ghats. Many ghats ask visitors to do this.
• Dress modestly. Bathe in suitable clothes and carry a change of clothes.
• Do not photograph or film people while they are bathing. Ask before taking photos of priests or pilgrims.
• Do not use soap or shampoo in the lake, and do not leave plastic, flowers in plastic bags or other waste.
• If a priest offers to perform a puja for you, agree on the offering clearly before the ritual begins. You are free to say no politely.
• Take care on wet steps, and stay in safe, shallow areas. Follow any instructions from the authorities.
• Alcohol, meat and eggs are not allowed in Pushkar town, as it is a holy place. Respect this rule.

Pushkar Kartik Purnima for NRI families

• Check your local date: Use Drik Panchang for your city. Do not convert India's times.
• Holy bath at home: Add a few drops of Ganga jal or holy water to your bath water, and remember Pushkar and the sacred rivers.
• Lamp offering: Light a ghee or oil lamp in the evening and offer it to Vishnu, Shiva or Brahma, as your family prefers.
• Planning a visit: If you plan to travel to Pushkar for Kartik, book early and check the official fair dates from Rajasthan Tourism first.

Frequently asked questions

When is Pushkar Kartik Purnima 2026?

Pushkar Kartik Purnima 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November 2026, per Drik Panchang (New Delhi), which lists Kartika Purnima and Pushkara Snana on that day. The Purnima tithi lasts until 08:23 PM IST on 24 November.

Why is bathing in Pushkar on Kartik Purnima special?

As commonly told, Brahma performed a great yajna at Pushkar, and the last days of Kartika, ending on Purnima, are linked with it. A dip in the Pushkar lake on Kartik Purnima is believed to bring great spiritual merit.

When is the Pushkar fair in 2026?

The Pushkar fair is held around Kartik and peaks around Kartik Purnima. Its official dates and programme are announced by Rajasthan Tourism. Please check their official announcement. We do not list fair dates here.

Is the Brahma temple at Pushkar the only one in India?

It is often called the most important Brahma temple, and temples to Brahma are rare. There are a few other Brahma temples in India, so it is better to say it is one of very few.

What should I keep in mind at the ghats?

Remove footwear near the ghats, dress modestly, do not photograph people bathing, keep the lake clean and agree on any puja offering with a priest before the ritual begins.

Can I observe Kartik Purnima snan abroad?

Yes. Check Drik Panchang for your city's date. Add a few drops of Ganga or holy water to your bath, offer a lamp and remember Brahma and Vishnu. Do not convert India's times.

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 Kartik Purnima date, tithi times and sunrise and sunset are from Drik Panchang for New Delhi and are in IST only. The Pushkar fair's dates and programme are announced by Rajasthan Tourism, and we have not listed them. We have not listed darshan timings or prices. Legends are presented as commonly told, and details differ between tellings.

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