Dev Diwali at Somnath 2026: Dates, the Fair and the Midnight Mahapuja

Of all the festivals of the year, none is more magical at Somnath, the first Jyotirlinga and the Lord of the Moon, than Dev Diwali on the full moon of Kartik Purnima. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Dev Diwali 2026 dates at Somnath, the Lokmela fair, the midnight Mahapuja and the moon over the spire and why this festival is so special at this temple.

When is Dev Diwali at Somnath 2026?

Dev Diwali and Kartik Purnima celebrations at the Somnath temple in 2026 will take place from 21 to 24 November, culminating on Kartik Purnima, also known as Dev Diwali, on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. Dev Diwali falls on the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik, about fifteen days after the main Diwali, so it is a separate festival from Diwali itself, coming a fortnight later. At Somnath, the festival is marked by a five-day Lokmela or public fair and culminates in the great midnight Mahapuja and Mahaarati on the night of Kartik Purnima, when devotees gather in their thousands. The dates change each year with the lunar calendar; in 2026 the main day is 24 November.

Dev Diwali at Somnath 2026 at a glance

What is Dev Diwali?

Dev Diwali, meaning the Diwali of the Gods, is the great festival of Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the month of Kartik. By tradition, it is the day the gods themselves descend to earth to celebrate, lighting up the heavens and the sacred places with lamps, so it is called the Diwali of the Gods. It carries several sacred meanings, including Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura, which gives the day its other name of Tripuri Purnima. It is important to note that Dev Diwali is not the same as Diwali; it falls about fifteen days after the main Diwali, on the following full moon and is a distinct and deeply auspicious festival in its own right, celebrated with special grandeur at temples and holy rivers across India.

Why Dev Diwali is special at Somnath

Dev Diwali carries a unique significance at Somnath, for Somnath is the temple of the Lord of the Moon. The very name Somnath means Lord (nath) of the Moon (Soma or Chandra) and by legend it was here that the Moon God, cursed to wane away, worshipped Lord Shiva and was freed, so that the moon waxes and wanes but never dies. Lord Shiva, who wears the crescent moon on his head, is thus revered here as Someshvara, the Lord of the Moon. Because of this, the full moon of Kartik Purnima, when the moon is at its brightest and fullest, is the most special of all nights at Somnath. At the midnight Mahapuja, it is believed that the Moon God himself takes his seat on the peak of the Somnath temple, crowning the spire with his light and devotees come from far and wide to witness this supernatural sight. Nowhere else does the full moon of Dev Diwali carry such meaning as at the temple of the Lord of the Moon.

The midnight Mahapuja and the moon over the spire

The heart of Dev Diwali at Somnath is the great midnight Mahapuja and Mahaarati, held at 12 midnight on the night of Kartik Purnima, 24 November 2026. As the full moon rises to its zenith, special worship and archana are performed and it is believed that the Moon God takes his seat upon the peak or shikhar, of the temple, so that the moon appears to crown the spire directly above the shrine of the Lord of the Moon. This is regarded as a rare and blessed sight and thousands of devotees gather in the temple courtyard through the night to witness the moonlit Mahaarati. The temple, which normally closes earlier, remains open late into the night on Kartik Purnima, so pilgrims can take darshan under the full moon. It is one of the most moving and beautiful spectacles in the whole calendar of the temple.

The five-day Lokmela fair

Alongside the worship, Dev Diwali at Somnath is celebrated with a great five-day Lokmela or public fair, organised by the Shree Somnath Trust, a tradition that has been kept up for around seven decades, since the 1950s. The fair runs through the days from Dev Diwali to Kartik Purnima, from 21 to 24 November 2026 and is held on the fair ground near the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence close to the temple. The Lokmela brings the town alive with stalls, food, rides, handicrafts and cultural programmes and the opening ceremony features cultural performances, a special Archana and the Mahaarati. It is a joyful, colourful, community celebration that draws pilgrims and locals alike, blending devotion with the festive spirit of a village fair by the sea.

Deepdaan and the floating lamps

One of the most beautiful sights of Dev Diwali at Somnath is the deepdaan, the offering of lamps. On the full moon night, thousands of small oil lamps or diyas, are lit and set afloat on the water, their flames flickering across the sea and the sacred waters, symbolising the dispelling of darkness and the triumph of light. This ancient ritual, echoing the meaning of Dev Diwali as the festival of lights of the gods, transforms the coast into a shimmering field of light beneath the full moon. Together with the illuminated temple, the moonlight on the sea and the glow of the fair, the deepdaan makes Dev Diwali at Somnath a feast for the eyes and the soul, a night of light upon light.

Festival schedule and timings

Here is the schedule for Dev Diwali and Kartik Purnima at Somnath in 2026:

On Kartik Purnima and through the fair, the temple stays open later than usual, often into the night, so pilgrims can take darshan and witness the Mahaarati. Please note that the tithi and event timings are indicative and may vary slightly, so it is best to confirm the current schedule with the Shree Somnath Trust before you travel, as the programme can be updated each year.

Planning your visit for Dev Diwali

Dev Diwali is one of the busiest and most beautiful times to visit Somnath, so it rewards good planning. Book your travel and stay well in advance, as accommodation fills up around the festival. Plan your arrival with our how to reach Somnath guide and time your darshan with the Somnath temple timings, noting the temple stays open late on Kartik Purnima. While you are there, see the other sacred sites of the town with our sightseeing places in Somnath guide and read the temple's remarkable story in our Somnath temple history. Arriving a day or two early lets you enjoy the Lokmela and settle in before the great full moon night.

Tips for Dev Diwali at Somnath 2026

A few pointers for the festival:

• Note the main day is Kartik Purnima, Tuesday 24 November 2026, with the Mahapuja at midnight.

• Stay for the midnight Mahaarati to witness the full moon crown the temple spire.

• Arrive a day or two early to enjoy the five-day Lokmela fair and the deepdaan lamps.

• Book travel and stays well in advance, as Dev Diwali is a peak time at Somnath.

• Confirm the current schedule and timings with the Shree Somnath Trust before you travel.

• Combine the visit with Dwarka and a Gir safari for a fuller Saurashtra trip.

Plan your Dev Diwali trip

Experience My India can plan your Dev Diwali visit to Somnath, when the temple of the Lord of the Moon is at its most radiant. Combine the temple with the Bhalka Tirth and the sacred sites, extend the trip to Dwarka, Krishna's city and a Gir lion safari, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or a Somnath Dwarka taxi service arrange the festival, the temples and the coast. For more festivals, see our festivals section.

Related guides

To plan your Somnath festival trip, these related guides help:

Plan your visit

Experience My India can arrange your Dev Diwali trip to Somnath and Gujarat. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.