Panchangam 16 November 2026, Monday: First Karthika Somavaram, Vrishchika Sankranti, Jalaram Bapa Jayanti and Kartika Ashtahnika (Hyderabad)

Quick answer: Monday 16 November 2026 is the first Karthika Somavaram in India and also Vrishchika Sankranti, Jalaram Bapa Jayanti and the start of the Jain Kartika Ashtahnika. The tithi is Kartika Shukla Saptami until 04:19 AM on 17 November and the nakshatra Shravana until 02:16 AM on 17 November (Hyderabad, IST). Telugu families keep the Somavaram vratam for Lord Shiva with an early bath, abhishekam and the evening deepam; in the north, Chhath ends this morning with the Usha Arghya.

For the four Mondays in detail, see Karthika Somavaram 2026 dates in India and our Karthika Somavaram 2026 puja guide.

Today's panchang (Hyderabad)

Timings are from Drik Panchang for Hyderabad in IST. Tithi and nakshatra end times are the same instant across India.

This is the seventh day of amanta Karthika Masam (10 November to 8 December). In the purnimanta North Indian calendar the month is Kartik until the full moon of 24 November. The exact Sankranti moment and Rahu Kalam are not given here: check a local panchang.

Religious significance

The first Karthika Somavaram

Monday belongs to Soma, the Moon, whom Shiva wears on his head, and Karthika is the month most dear to Shiva in Telugu tradition. The Karthika Puranam, read aloud in many homes through the month, praises the Somavara vratam, and Karthika Mahatmya traditions (associated with the Skanda Purana) speak of the merit of lamps and holy baths in this month. On the ground, the practice is simple: snanam before sunrise, abhishekam to the Shiva lingam, upavasam according to one's capacity, and a lamp after sunset.

Vrishchika Sankranti

The Sun moves into Vrishchika today. In Tamil Nadu this begins the solar month of Karthigai, whose Krittika nakshatra brings Karthigai Deepam; in Kerala it is the first of Vrischikam, and the Sabarimala Mandala season traditionally begins around this transition, with Drik listing Mandala Pooja Begins tomorrow. Sankranti days are traditionally good for charity and a holy bath.

Jalaram Bapa Jayanti

Gujarati families remember Sant Jalaram Bapa of Virpur, the devotee of Rama whose free kitchen fed every visitor. Jalaram mandirs, including many in the UK, USA and East Africa, hold bhajans and serve prasad. Read our Jalaram Jayanti 2026 guide.

Kartika Ashtahnika and Chhath

For Jains, the eight-day Kartika Ashtahnika begins today and ends on Kartika Purnima, Tuesday 24 November. In Bihar and Jharkhand, Chhath Puja concludes this morning with the Usha Arghya to the rising Sun (06:21 AM in Hyderabad; other cities differ).

Somavaram puja vidhi

• Snanam: bathe before sunrise (06:21 AM in Hyderabad). At home, add a little Ganga water or simply pray while bathing.
• Abhishekam: pour water or milk over a Shiva lingam at home or at a temple, chanting the mantra below. Offer bilva leaves, vibhuti and white flowers.
• Sankalpa for the day: decide your upavasam: full fast, ekabhuktam, naktam, or fruit and milk.
• Evening deepam: light a ghee or sesame-oil lamp after sunset (05:40 PM in Hyderabad) at the doorstep, by the tulasi or at a Shiva temple.
• Katha: read or listen to the Karthika Somavaram vratham katha.
• Daanam: Sankranti and Somavaram together make it a fitting day to give food, a lamp or warm clothing.

No materials? Sit facing east or north, imagine offering water to Shiva, and chant Om Namah Shivaya. The essentials are the bath, the prayer and the lamp; bilva, specific abhishekam items and the fast are valued customs, not entry requirements.

Mantra for the day

oṃ namaḥ śivāya (Om Namah Shivaya). Meaning: "Salutations to Shiva," the auspicious one. The words of this Panchakshari mantra appear in the Shri Rudram of the Yajurveda, and it needs no initiation for everyday chanting. Chant it 108 times during abhishekam or after lighting the lamp, as an offering of the mind rather than a bargain for results.

Vrat guidance

Common forms are a full fast until the evening lamp, ekabhuktam (a single meal, often at midday) and naktam (eating only after nightfall). Our Karthika Somavaram upavasam rules guide explains each. Elderly devotees, pregnant women, people with diabetes, low blood pressure or other medical conditions, and children should not feel obliged; consult a doctor before any strict fast. A lamp and a sincere prayer are a complete observance.

What you can do today

• Do abhishekam before work, even five minutes with a small lingam or a picture of Shiva.
• Choose the form of upavasam that suits your health and keep to it gently.
• Mark Vrishchika Sankranti with a small donation of food or a blanket as winter begins.
• Visit a Jalaram mandir or serve a meal to someone, in the spirit of Bapa's sadavrat.
• Light the Karthika Somavaram lamp after 05:40 PM (Hyderabad) and chant Om Namah Shivaya.
• Plan the next three Somavarams: 23 and 30 November and 7 December.

With family and children

Let children pour a small cup of water on the lingam and place one bilva leaf; it makes the ritual theirs. Tell them how Jalaram Bapa fed everyone who came to his door, and ask them to help pack a meal for someone. In the evening, let them choose where the family lamp should sit, and remind them that fire needs an adult nearby.

For Hindus abroad

Do not convert India's timings abroad. Here is the local sunrise, sunset and tithi at sunrise on 16 November:

These abroad figures are computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang. Times are local to each city and are not conversions of the India timings above.

In the USA, UK and Canada Karthika began on 9 November, so today is the second of five Somavarams there; in Australia, Vrishchika Sankranti falls on 17 November. See USA, UK, Canada, Australia and UAE.

Previous and next day

Previous: Panchangam 15 November 2026: Skanda Sashti and Chhath. Next: Panchangam 17 November 2026: Gopashtami and Mandala Pooja begins. Monthly hub: November 2026 Hindu festivals.

Frequently asked questions

Is 16 November 2026 a Karthika Somavaram?

Yes. In India it is the first of four Karthika Somavarams in 2026: 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December. In the USA, UK and Canada the month began a day earlier, so 16 November is their second Karthika Monday.

What is the tithi on 16 November 2026?

Kartika Shukla Saptami prevails from sunrise until 04:19 AM on Tuesday 17 November (Hyderabad, IST). The nakshatra is Shravana until 02:16 AM on 17 November.

What is Vrishchika Sankranti?

It is the day the Sun enters Vrishchika (Scorpio) in the sidereal zodiac. It begins the solar month called Karthigai in Tamil Nadu and Vrischikam in Kerala. We have not listed the exact Sankranti moment; check a local panchang for punya kala.

Who was Jalaram Bapa?

Sant Jalaram Bapa of Virpur in Gujarat was a nineteenth-century devotee of Lord Rama, remembered for his sadavrat, an open kitchen that fed everyone who came. His jayanti is observed on Kartika Shukla Saptami.

Do I have to fast on Karthika Somavaram?

No. Fasting is a devotional choice. Many keep a full fast, ekabhuktam (one meal) or naktam (a meal after nightfall); others simply do abhishekam and light the evening lamp. Anyone elderly, pregnant or with a medical condition should not feel obliged and should consult a doctor.

A closing thought

The first Karthika Monday sets the tone for the month. Keep it simple and steady: water for Shiva in the morning, a lamp at dusk, and a little food shared with someone who needs it.

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.

Related guides

• Karthika Somavaram 2026 dates in India
• Karthika Somavaram 2026: Rudrabhishekam, deepam and mantra
• Karthika Masam 2026 deepam timings city-wise
• Karthika Masam 2026 (pillar guide)
• Shiva temples in Telangana for Karthika Masam
• Pancharama Kshetras guide for Karthika Masam