About Karthika Masam
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- 🙏 Deity: Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
- 📅 Karthika Masam 2026 date:
- ⏳ Duration: 30 days (Kartika month)
- 🌙 Lunar month: Kartika
- 🗺️ Celebrated in: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra
Karthika Masam — the month of Kartika in the Hindu lunar calendar (October–November) — is revered as the holiest month of the year, simultaneously sacred to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu scripture, the cosmic luminosity of this month is unparalleled: the moon is at its most auspicious, the nights are serene, and the divine is considered most accessible to sincere devotees. In 2026, Karthika Masam begins on October 17 and concludes on November 15 with the grand Karthika Purnima celebration.
The most visible and beautiful tradition of Karthika Masam is the lighting of Karthika Deepams — earthen oil lamps placed on tulsi (basil) plants, in front of homes, at temple entrances, and along river ghats every single evening of the month. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the sight of thousands of lamp-lit homes and temples during Karthika Masam evenings is considered one of the most spiritually luminous experiences in Hindu devotional life. The lamp symbolises the divine light of Shiva (Jyotirlinga) and the eternal flame of Vishnu's presence.
Karthika Masam holds a unique synthesis of Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions. For Shiva devotees, every Monday (Somavara Karthika) of the month is especially sacred — observed with strict fasting, abhishekam of Shiva lingam with milk and bilva leaves, and night-long vigils at Shiva temples. For Vishnu devotees, Karthika marks the end of Chaturmas (the four sacred months) and Vishnu's awakening from cosmic sleep (Devotthan Ekadashi), making the month's Ekadashi days profoundly significant. Devotees observe strict vegetarianism, early morning ritual baths (preferably in rivers), and abstain from non-vegetarian food throughout the month. The month culminates in Karthika Purnima — Tripuri Purnima — one of the most auspicious full moon days in the Hindu year.
Significance of Karthika Masam
Karthika Masam carries unparalleled spiritual and cosmic significance:
Deities worshipped on Karthika Masam
Follow the links to explore each deity’s mantras, stories, and temples on Temples.bio.
Lord Shiva
Primary deity — Karthika Masam is the most sacred month for Shiva worship; daily deepam and Somavara fasts are acts of Shiva devotion
The Supreme Destroyer and Transformer of the Universe — The Adiyogi, Lord of Lords, and the First Yogi.
View deity →
Lord Vishnu
Co-primary deity — Devotthan Ekadashi marks Vishnu's awakening during Karthika; Tulsi Vivah is performed for Vishnu
The Preserver of the Universe — the all-pervading Supreme Being who descends to Earth in divine avatars whenever righteousness declines and evil rises.
View deity →Karthika Masam is equally sacred to two supreme deities:
Lord Shiva: Shiva is worshipped in his Jyotirlinga form (pillar of cosmic light) throughout Karthika. Every Monday of Karthika is a mini-Shivaratri. Shiva temples receive abhishekam with milk, honey, panchamrit, and bilva leaves daily. The Karthika Deepam lit at Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple — a massive beacon on Arunachala hill — represents Shiva as the infinite column of light (Annamalai Deepam). Devotees circumambulate Arunachala (Girivalam) on Karthika Purnima night, one of the most sacred walks in South Indian Hinduism.
Lord Vishnu: Karthika contains Devotthan Ekadashi — the awakening of Vishnu after Chaturmas. Vishnu temples conduct grand Tulsi Vivah (marriage of Tulsi plant with Vishnu/Shaligrama) on this Ekadashi. Tirumala Venkateswara receives special sevas throughout Karthika. The Tulsi plant itself is worshipped daily throughout the month, as Tulsi is considered Vishnu's consort.
Lord Karthikeya (Murugan): The month is named after the Karthika star (Pleiades), which is associated with the six Krittika mothers who nursed baby Murugan. Skanda Sashti in Karthika commemorates Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadman.
How to celebrate Karthika Masam 2026
How to observe Karthika Masam daily:
1. Wake up before sunrise (Brahma Muhurta) and take a ritual bath — ideally in a river, lake, or at least with water mixed with sesame seeds and tulsi leaves.
2. Wear clean clothes and light the first lamp of the day in front of the tulsi plant in your home's courtyard or balcony.
3. Offer bilva leaves and white flowers to the Shiva lingam at home or visit the nearest Shiva temple for morning abhishekam.
4. Recite Shiva Panchakshara mantra (Om Namah Shivaya) 108 times in the morning.
5. Observe vegetarianism strictly throughout the month — avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, and intoxicants.
6. Light earthen lamps (sesame oil preferred) in front of the tulsi plant, home entrance, and temple every evening without fail.
7. On Karthika Mondays (Somavara Karthika): Observe full fast or partial fast. Visit Shiva temple for special abhishekam and remain until evening aarti.
8. On Ekadashi during Karthika: Observe Ekadashi fast (no grains) and attend Vishnu temple for Tulsi Vivah ceremony.
9. On Karthika Purnima (November 15, 2026): Take a holy dip in a river at dawn. Light 365 lamps as an offering for the entire year. If near Tiruvannamalai, perform Girivalam (circumambulation of Arunachala).
10. Donate lamps, sesame seeds, and warm clothing to the needy throughout the month — Karthika Masam daan (charity) is considered extremely meritorious.
Rituals & regional traditions
Spiritual benefits
Mantras & sacred chants
1. Shiva Panchakshara (Primary mantra for Karthika)
Sanskrit: ॐ नमः शिवाय
Meaning: "Om, I bow to Shiva." The five-syllable (Panchakshara) mantra Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya represents the five elements — earth, water, fire, air, and space — all contained within Shiva. Chant 108 times daily during Karthika Masam.
2. Karthika Deepa Mantra
Sanskrit: दीपज्योतिः परं ब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते
Meaning: The light of the lamp is the Supreme Brahman; the light of the lamp is Lord Vishnu. May the lamp remove my sins. I bow to the light of the lamp. Recite this mantra each evening when lighting the Karthika Deepam.
3. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (for Karthika Shiva worship)
Sanskrit: ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्
Meaning: We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva, the fragrant nourisher of all beings. As a cucumber is freed from its vine, may He liberate us from death and bestow immortality. This is especially powerful when chanted during Karthika Somavara abhishekam.
Karthika Masam 2026 — FAQs
Karthika Masam 2026 begins on October 17, 2026 and ends on November 15, 2026 (Karthika Purnima). The month is calculated by the Telugu/Odia lunar calendar as the Kartika month.
Karthika Masam is the holiest month of the Hindu calendar, sacred to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Devotees light lamps daily, observe Monday fasts, visit Shiva temples, and follow strict vegetarianism throughout the month.
Karthika Deepam is the daily ritual of lighting earthen oil lamps in front of tulsi plants, homes, and temples every evening throughout Karthika Masam. The grand Karthika Deepam at Tiruvannamalai is a massive beacon lit atop Arunachala hill on Purnima.
Somavara Karthika refers to the Mondays (Somavar) that fall within Karthika Masam. These are considered especially sacred to Shiva — each Monday is like a mini-Shivaratri with fasting, abhishekam, and temple visits.
Karthika Purnima 2026 falls on November 15, 2026. Also called Tripuri Purnima, it is the grand finale of Karthika Masam — considered one of the most auspicious full moons when taking a holy dip equals the merit of all pilgrimages.
Strict vegetarianism is observed throughout Karthika Masam — no non-vegetarian food, no onion or garlic. On Mondays and Ekadashi, many devotees observe full or partial fasting. Sesame-based foods are considered auspicious.
Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the sacred Tulsi (basil) plant with Lord Vishnu (represented by a Shaligrama stone), performed on Devotthan Ekadashi during Karthika Masam. It marks the start of the Hindu wedding season.
Take early morning baths, light sesame oil lamps in front of tulsi plant every evening, offer bilva leaves to Shiva, observe Monday fasts, chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times daily, avoid non-vegetarian food, and perform Tulsi Vivah on Ekadashi.
