When the Sky Sets the Date: Karthigai Deepam in 2026
Karthigai Deepam is fixed by the sky rather than the calendar, which is why it shifts between November and December. It falls on the full moon of the Tamil month Karthigai, when that star is overhead all night. In 2026, that star runs from 2:02 AM until 11:25 PM on Tuesday, 24 November.
Incredible India describes it as a 3-day festival devoted to Lord Karthikeya, who is worshipped here as Murugan. The Vadapalani Murugan Temple in Chennai is dedicated to him, which makes it a natural stop this month. The lamps are the point throughout the 3 days, standing for light driving out darkness.
The story behind the lamps comes from the Shiva Purana. Brahma and Vishnu each claimed to be the greater, so Shiva appeared between them as a column of fire. It stretched across the 3 worlds, and neither of them could find where it started or ended.
Vishnu admitted defeat honestly while Brahma claimed to have reached the top, and Shiva cursed him for the lie. Shiva then took the form of a hill at Thiruvannamalai, which is where the fire is still lit.
A vast ghee lamp is lit on top of Arunachala Hill at sunset each year. Incredible India records that the resulting fire can be seen for miles around the town. In 2026, it is lit on 24 November, closing the 10-day temple festival at Thiruvannamalai.
Diwali in Chennai: Lamps, Kolams, and Temples
Chennai keeps the festival a good deal closer to the ground than Thiruvannamalai ever does. Diwali in Chennai begins at home, with households drawing kolams, the rice-flour patterns laid out at the doorstep each morning, and setting out rows of agal vilakku, the small clay oil lamps that give the festival its name. Many people fast through the day and break it after the lamps are lit at dusk.
The temples show the real scale of the celebrations, and Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore leads. Thousands of earthen lamps are set out along every side of the tank by temple volunteers. Before the eastern Rajagopuram, the temple's main gate tower, the Sokkappanai bonfire is set alight. Hundreds of devotees gather in front of the tower to watch the fire being lit.
Pori Urundai: Puffed rice bound together with melted jaggery, forming crisp, sweet balls that are closely associated with Karthigai Deepam
Nei Appam: Small, soft fritters made from sweet rice batter and fried in ghee until golden, with a rich, gently caramelised edge
Karthigai Addai: A savoury lentil pancake made with a spiced batter, giving the festive spread a hearty counterpoint to the sweets
Vella Seedai: Small rice-flour dumplings sweetened with jaggery and deep-fried until crisp, making them a simple, crunchy addition to the festive spread.
Adhirasam: A traditional Tamil sweet prepared with rice flour and jaggery, shaped into discs and fried until the outside takes on a deep golden colour while the centre stays soft and dense
The day begins before sunrise, with the scent of oil and the first baths of the morning, followed by new clothes and the anticipation of the first firecrackers. By breakfast, the streets are already alive with bursts of sound as fireworks take over the morning, a distinct rhythm that carries the Diwali celebration in Chennai into daylight.
The shopping starts well before either festival, and Dhanteras on 6 November is the traditional day for buying metal. Much of that shopping in Chennai happens in T Nagar, where silk shops and older bazaars sit close together. Once the festive bustle eases, take a slower turn through the city's heritage temples, or continue exploring with our guide to places to visit in Chennai.
After following the glow of Karthigai Deepam through Chennai, return to Hablis Hotel in Guindy for an easy end to the day. Guindy Metro Station is within walking distance, while Chennai International Airport is about 10 minutes away, keeping the city’s temples and travel hubs within convenient reach. Choose from our Executive Rooms, Corner Studios, or the Murphy Room for a comfortable retreat after a day of temple visits and festivities.
After the evening’s celebrations, settle in over Indian and Asian specialities at The Spice, round-the-clock refreshments at The Hearth, or your favourite beverage at The Moon and Sixpence. With a fitness centre, free parking, and airport pickup or shuttle service, Hablis keeps the practical details easy, leaving the festival to take centre stage.