Karthika Masam 2026 in Hyderabad: Deepam Timings, Temples to Visit and Koti Deepotsavam Update

Quick answer: Karthika Masam 2026 in Hyderabad runs from Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December 2026, with Karthika Pournami on Tuesday 24 November and Karthika Somavarams on 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December. Hyderabad sunset, the traditional time for the evening deepam, is around 5:40 to 5:42 PM IST all month; sunrise moves from 6:17 AM to 6:32 AM. Koti Deepotsavam 2026 dates have not been announced as of 9 October 2026 (last year it began on 1 November 2025 at NTR Stadium).

Karthika in Hyderabad has a feel all its own. Before dawn, apartment balconies and independent houses alike glow with small clay lamps. On Monday evenings, the queue at Keesaragutta stretches down the hill, and office-goers rush home to light the deepam before sunset. Weekends bring vanabhojanalu picnics under amla trees and, in recent years, evenings of lamps at the city's big Koti Deepotsavam. Here is everything you need to plan Karthika Masam 2026 in the city, with times taken from the panchang and no guesswork.

Hyderabad deepam and snanam times for Karthika 2026

Karthika snanam is traditionally taken before sunrise, and the deepam is lit at dusk. These are Hyderabad sunrise and sunset times in IST for the key days. They are calculated values, approximate to plus or minus one minute, and your local panchangam may differ slightly. Dates and observances are from Drik Panchang.

Karthika Pournami timing: Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM IST on Monday 23 November to 8:23 PM IST on Tuesday 24 November 2026. Tithi instants are the same across India, so in Hyderabad the Pournami deepam at sunset on 24 November (about 5:40 PM) falls well within Purnima. Krittika nakshatra is also present at sunset that evening, which is why Karthigai Deepam is observed on the same day.

Skanda Sashti falls on Sunday 15 November, Kalabhairav Jayanti on Tuesday 1 December and Utpanna Ekadashi on Friday 4 December. For other cities, see Karthika Masam 2026 deepam timings, India city-wise.

Temples in Hyderabad to visit this Karthika

We name temples here in general terms only. Timings, special sevas and queue rules change during Karthika, so always check the temple's official website or the Telangana Endowments Department before you go.

Keesaragutta Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy: on a hillock on the north-eastern edge of the city, this is Hyderabad's favourite Shiva temple for Karthika Mondays. As traditionally told, Lord Rama wished to worship Shiva here, and the many lingas scattered across the hill are linked to the story of Hanuman bringing lingas from Kashi. Read our Keesaragutta temple guide.

Chilkur Balaji: the beloved Venkateswara temple near Osman Sagar, famous as the Visa Balaji and for its tradition of pradakshinas taken as a vow. It is especially busy on Karthika Ekadashi and Saturdays. See the Chilkur Balaji temple guide.

Birla Mandir: the white-marble Sri Venkateswara temple on Naubat Pahad overlooking Hussain Sagar. Its hilltop setting is lovely at dusk, and it is an easy evening visit from most parts of the city.

Peddamma Temple, Jubilee Hills: the much-loved shrine of the Mother Goddess, visited by Hyderabad families throughout the year. Karthika Fridays bring many women devotees.

Your neighbourhood Shiva temple matters just as much. Per Karthika Puranam tradition, a single lamp lit with devotion in any temple, or even at your own threshold, carries the merit of the month.

Day trips from Hyderabad for Karthika

• Vemulawada Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy: Telangana's Dakshina Kashi and the state's most visited Shiva temple, famous for the kode mokku (bull offering). See the Vemulawada temple guide.
• Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy: the hill temple of Lord Narasimha, an easy day trip and a natural choice for Uttana Ekadashi and Ksheerabdi Dwadasi.
• Srisailam Mallikarjuna: a Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha in the Nallamala hills, and the biggest Karthika pilgrimage for Hyderabad families. See the Srisailam temple guide and Srisailam in Karthika Masam 2026.

A note on Srisailam: on 3 August 2026, the Srisailam EO revised the schedule so that sparsha (touch) darshan is not available in the morning and afternoon on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, but is available at night; other days keep the existing three slots (Source: Deccan Chronicle, 3 August 2026). No Karthika 2026-specific changes had been announced as of 9 October 2026, so check the Devasthanam's official website for the Karthika schedule before you set out.

For a fuller list, including Kaleshwaram, Ramappa and Alampur, see our Karthika Masam 2026 Shiva temples in Telangana guide.

Koti Deepotsavam 2026: what we know

Status: not yet announced. As of 9 October 2026, we found no 2026 dates for the Bhakthi TV Koti Deepotsavam in any official or news source (Source: NTV Telugu, 2025 announcement; no 2026 equivalent found, checked 9 October 2026).

Last year's pattern (2025, not 2026): Bhakthi TV Koti Deepotsavam 2025 began on 1 November 2025 at NTR Stadium, Hyderabad, with evening programmes during Karthika month. It was announced on 5 October 2025 (Source: NTV Telugu). If 2026 follows a similar rhythm, an announcement may come soon, but nothing is confirmed. Read more about the event in Koti Deepotsavam: the festival of lights on Bhakthi TV / NTV.

Buses and temple arrangements

TGSRTC Karthika specials 2026: not yet announced. The most recent pattern in our research is from 2024, when TGSRTC announced Karthika specials to Srisailam, Vemulawada, Dharmapuri and Keesaragutta, an Arunachalam package for Kartika Pournami, and buses every Monday to the Pancharamas (Source: Siasat, 2 November 2024). Those were 2024 services; watch TGSRTC for 2026.

Endowments Department: no Karthika Masam 2026 announcements for Vemulawada, Yadagirigutta, Keesaragutta or Kaleshwaram had been found as of 9 October 2026 (Source: Deccan Chronicle (tag search)). For all the latest, see our Karthika 2026 temple news roundup.

Karthika vanabhojanalu in and around Hyderabad

The Karthika vanabhojanam, a shared meal in a grove, ideally under an amla (usirika) tree, is a favourite weekend plan for Hyderabad families, colonies and community associations. Popular choices are large city parks and gardens with plenty of trees, temple grounds that allow it, and farm stays on the city outskirts. Wherever you go, check that cooking and gatherings are permitted, keep the space clean, and take your waste back with you.

Traditionally the meal begins with worship of the amla tree and Lord Vishnu, and families often prefer Sundays and the days around Uttana Ekadashi. Read the full tradition in Karthika Vana Bhojanalu 2026.

Simple Karthika routine for busy Hyderabad families

• Before sunrise: a bath (Karthika snanam) and a lamp at the tulasi or the threshold.
• At sunset: light the deepam, ideally with ghee or sesame oil, at about 5:40 PM through the month.
• Mondays: a temple visit or abhishekam at home; many keep a fast until evening. See Karthika Somavaram upavasam rules.
• Chant: Om Namah Shivaya (salutations to Lord Shiva), the Panchakshari, as many times as you comfortably can.
• Food: many families avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food this month. See Karthika Masam rules 2026.

Family abroad?

If relatives in the USA, UK or elsewhere want to observe the same days, send them their own country page instead of converting Hyderabad times: USA, UK, Canada and Dubai and the UAE.

Frequently asked questions

When does Karthika Masam 2026 start in Hyderabad?

Karthika Masam 2026 begins on Tuesday 10 November 2026 and ends with Amavasya on Tuesday 8 December 2026, following the amanta calendar used in Telangana. Karthika Pournami falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026.

What time should I light the Karthika deepam in Hyderabad?

Lamps are traditionally lit at dusk, around sunset. Sunset in Hyderabad is about 5:40 to 5:42 PM IST through Karthika 2026 (5:40 PM on Karthika Pournami, 24 November). Times are approximate to plus or minus one minute, and local panchangams may differ slightly.

Is Koti Deepotsavam happening in 2026?

As of 9 October 2026, no 2026 dates for Bhakthi TV Koti Deepotsavam have been announced in any official or news source we checked. Last year's edition began on 1 November 2025 at NTR Stadium, Hyderabad, as reported by NTV Telugu. Watch Bhakthi TV and NTV for the 2026 announcement.

Which Shiva temple near Hyderabad is best for Karthika Somavaram?

Keesaragutta Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy is the most popular Shiva temple on the city's edge for Karthika Mondays. For a full-day trip, families go to Vemulawada Raja Rajeshwara or to Srisailam Mallikarjuna.

Are TGSRTC special buses running for Karthika 2026?

Not announced yet as of 9 October 2026. In 2024, TGSRTC ran Karthika specials to Srisailam, Vemulawada, Dharmapuri and Keesaragutta and Monday buses to the Pancharamas, as reported by Siasat. That was 2024; watch TGSRTC for 2026 plans.

Where can I find temple timings in Hyderabad for Karthika?

We do not publish temple timings or ticket prices, because they change during Karthika Masam. Check each temple's official website or the Telangana Endowments Department before you go.

Related guides

• Karthika Masam 2026: complete guide
• Karthika Somavaram 2026 dates in India
• Karthika Pournami 2026: Purnima time, India city-wise
• Akasha deepam in Karthika Masam
• Annavaram Satyanarayana Swamy temple in Karthika Masam 2026
• Karthika Masam 2026 calendar, day by day

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

Dates and tithi times are from Drik Panchang (New Delhi day panchang; tithi instants are IST and identical across India). Hyderabad sunrise and sunset are calculated values, approximate to plus or minus one minute. News items (Koti Deepotsavam, TGSRTC, Srisailam, Endowments) reflect sources checked on 9 October 2026; where something is marked not announced, any detail given is last year's pattern only. We will update this page as temples and organisers announce their Karthika 2026 plans.