Kartik Purnima in Ambaji

Date and timing in Ambaji

Kartik Purnima falls on the full moon of the lunar month of Kartik. For Ambaji (अंबाजी), the date is computed for the city's own sunrise and for the Asia/Kolkata time zone, so the tithi is reckoned from the moment the local day begins.

In Ambaji, Kartik Purnima falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026 and on Sunday 14 November 2027.

The observance is Dev Deepawali, and the day is associated with Shiva and Vishnu. Dev Deepawali is observed across India, so Ambaji's date sits within a pan-India observance rather than a local one.

Why the date can differ from India

A panchangam is not a single national calendar. The tithi is a span of time, and the day it is assigned to depends on the sunrise of the place you are standing in. When a tithi begins or ends near a sunrise boundary, two cities in the same time zone can legitimately list different dates for the same festival.

Ambaji's date above is therefore the one to use for observance in Ambaji. If you are reading from elsewhere in India or abroad, the date for your own city may differ, and that is expected rather than an error. Traditions also differ on how the lunar month is counted — amanta and purnimanta reckon the month differently, and Smarta and Vaishnava practice can place a vrata on a slightly different day. Where such differences exist, follow the convention of your own family or sampradaya, or consult a qualified jyotishi for your personal chart.

Where and how the community celebrates

Kartik Purnima is a pan-India observance, and in Ambaji it is kept as Dev Deepawali. Because the day is linked with both Shiva and Vishnu, householders may direct their worship according to their own family tradition.

Common observances on this day include:

• Snana and a morning dip or clean bath before worship.
• Dana — giving, in the form of food, clothing or charity, according to one's capacity.
• Deepa — lighting lamps, which is the heart of Dev Deepawali.
• Japa and recitation, and keeping a vrata where it is customary in the family.
• Evening worship with lamps, offered with a calm and steady mind.

Customs vary by region and community. Some observe a fast, others do not; some light lamps at home, others join a larger gathering. Both are within tradition.

Practical tips

• Use the Ambaji date — Tuesday 24 November 2026 or Sunday 14 November 2027 — when you are observing in Ambaji.
• Confirm the local sunrise and tithi timings for your own city if you are observing elsewhere.
• Keep lamps on a stable, non-flammable surface, away from draughts and children's reach.
• If you keep a vrata, let it suit your health and circumstances; this is a devotional practice, not a medical one.
• For anything specific to your chart or family custom, consult a qualified jyotishi.