Kartik Purnima, also known as Sakimana Punhi in the Newar community, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October–November). It is a day of devotion and spiritual significance, where devotees visit temples, perform rituals, and offer prayers for health, prosperity, and overall well-being. The festival marks the culmination of many religious observances of the month and is considered highly auspicious in Hindu and Buddhist traditions across Nepal.

In Nepal, the festival is particularly special among the Newar community, who observe unique cultural customs such as traditional processions, community gatherings, and ceremonial worship. Lighting lamps, floating miniature boats on rivers or ponds, and offering food and flowers to deities are common practices. These rituals symbolize the dispelling of darkness, the triumph of knowledge over ignorance, and the welcoming of blessings, making Kartik Purnima both a deeply spiritual and culturally vibrant occasion.