Karthika Masam 2026 Rituals: State-Wise Must-Do Guide

Quick answer: Karthika Masam 2026 runs from Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December in the amanta calendar (North India's Kartik: about 27 October to 24 November). The must-perform rituals are daily Deepa Daan, the early-morning Karthika Snanam, the Monday Somavaram vratam (16, 23, 30 November and 7 December), Tulasi worship and Tulasi Vivah (21 November), scripture reading, charity and Vanabhojanam. Karthika Purnima is on Tuesday 24 November.

Last updated: 19 October 2026

Karthika Masam (also spelled Kartika Masam or Kartik Maas) is regarded in the Puranas as the most meritorious month of the Hindu year. Texts such as the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana praise this month above all others, and tradition holds that even a single lamp lit with devotion in Karthika removes the sins of many lifetimes and brings great spiritual merit.

In 2026 the dates depend on the calendar your family follows:

Amanta calendar (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and many South Indian families): Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December 2026.
Purnimanta calendar (North India): Kartik runs from about 27 October to 24 November 2026, and the Kartik Snan and Deepdaan observances begin from Sharad Purnima.
Karthika Purnima, Karthigai Deepam and Dev Deepawali: Tuesday 24 November 2026 in India.

The month is dedicated mainly to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in his Damodara form. Its central theme is Deepa Daan, the offering of light, together with early-morning baths, Monday observances, Tulasi worship and charity. For every date, see the Karthika Masam 2026 calendar day by day.

Why Karthika Masam is special

During Karthika, Lord Vishnu is believed to dwell in the Tulasi plant and Lord Shiva in the Bilva tree. Lighting lamps, taking the holy bath (snanam), keeping the Monday vratam and giving in charity are said to bring multiplied merit in this month. Devotees observe it for purification, health, prosperity and spiritual progress.

Universal must-perform rituals in Karthika Masam

These core practices can be observed by every devotee, adapted to family tradition and capacity.

1. Daily Deepa Daan (lighting of lamps)

This is the heart of Karthika Masam.

Light ghee or sesame-oil lamps at dawn and dusk every day of the month.
Place lamps at the main entrance, near the Tulasi plant and in the puja room, and if possible on the terrace or under the open sky (Akasha Deepam).
On Karthika Purnima, light as many lamps as you can; many families light a lamp of 365 wicks for the whole year (see the 365-wick deepam guide).
Tradition says that one lamp lit in Karthika brings the merit of thousands lit on ordinary days.

Keep lamps away from curtains and children's reach, and never leave them burning unattended.

2. Karthika Snanam (early-morning holy bath)

Wake in Brahma Muhurta, about one and a half hours before sunrise.
Bathe, ideally in a river or temple tank, or at home with a few drops of Ganga jal added to the water.
While bathing, many devotees recite: कार्तिकेऽहं करिष्यामि प्रातःस्नानं जनार्दन। प्रीत्यर्थं तव देवेश दामोदर मया सह॥ ("O Janardana, Lord of the gods, O Damodara, I shall take the morning bath in Kartika for your pleasure.")
After the bath, offer arghya (water) to the Sun.

Rules and timings are in Karthika Snanam and Deepa Daanam 2026.

3. Karthika Somavara Vratam (Monday observances)

Mondays in Karthika are especially sacred to Lord Shiva. In India in 2026 the four Karthika Somavarams fall on:

16 November
23 November
30 November
7 December

Families in the USA, Canada and the UK have a fifth Somavaram on 9 November, because the month begins a day earlier there; see the Karthika Masam 2026 USA guide.

Rituals on these days:

Fast for the whole day or take one meal.
Perform or sponsor Rudrabhishekam.
Offer Bilva leaves, milk, curd, honey and water to the Shiva Linga.
Visit a Shiva temple.
Light special lamps in the evening.
Read or listen to the Karthika Puranam.

4. Tulasi worship and Tulasi Vivah

Water the Tulasi plant and walk around it daily.
Light a lamp near Tulasi every evening.
Tulasi Vivah, the marriage of Tulasi with Lord Vishnu as Shaligram or Damodara, follows Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi on Friday 20 November and is performed on Ksheerabdi Dwadashi, Saturday 21 November 2026. It marks the end of Chaturmasya and the start of the wedding season. See Ksheerabdi Dwadasi and Tulasi Vivah 2026.

5. Scripture reading and japa

Read one chapter of the Karthika Puranam daily, a strong custom in the Telugu states.
Chant the Damodarashtakam, Vishnu Sahasranama or Shiva stotras.
Many Vaishnava families read the Srimad Bhagavatam or the Bhagavad Gita. See Damodar month 2026 and the Damodarashtakam.

6. Charity (daan)

Giving food (annadaan), lamps (deepa daan), clothing and support for education in Karthika is held to bring lasting merit. Feeding priests, cows and people in need is especially emphasised.

7. Vanabhojanam: the feast under the amla tree

Especially popular in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, families and communities gather under an amla (usiri) tree, cook simple food, light lamps and spend the day in devotion and nature. See Karthika Vana Bhojanalu 2026.

State-wise observance of Karthika Masam

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

These two states observe Karthika Masam with special fervour.

An intense focus on Lord Shiva and the daily deepam.
Large crowds at Shiva temples such as Srisailam Mallikarjuna, Vemulawada Raja Rajeshwara, Keesaragutta, Srikalahasti and the Pancharama Kshetras.
Karthika Vanabhojanalu, community feasts under amla trees with devotional singing.
Nagula Chavithi early in the month, on Friday 13 November 2026.
On Karthika Pournami, hundreds of lamps and the Jwala Thoranam in many temples.
Special importance for Karthika Somavaram fasting and Rudrabhishekam.
Many families perform the Satyanarayana Vratam on the Purnima.

Devotees take early-morning baths in the Godavari, Krishna or Tungabhadra whenever possible. See Srisailam in Karthika Masam 2026.

Karnataka

Daily deepotsava in homes and temples.
Strong emphasis on Shiva worship and Bilva offerings.
Temples in Bengaluru, Mysuru and the coastal districts hold special abhishekams on Mondays.
Karthika Purnima is marked with large-scale lamp lighting.

Tamil Nadu (Karthigai month)

Tamil Nadu follows the solar month of Karthigai, but lamp lighting is central here too.

The highlight is Karthigai Deepam, celebrated when the Krittika nakshatra prevails in Karthigai; in 2026 it falls on Tuesday 24 November.
The most famous celebration is at Tiruvannamalai, where the Maha Deepam is lit atop Arunachala Hill and is visible for miles.
Homes light rows of clay oil lamps (agal vilakku).
Daily evening lamp lighting is considered essential, and many temples hold processions and deepa seva.

See Karthigai Deepam 2026.

Kerala

Observances are quieter but sincere, with Tulasi worship, lamp lighting and temple visits.
Some communities hold special pujas through the month.
The Sabarimala Mandala season begins in mid-November, adding another layer of devotion for Ayyappa devotees.

Maharashtra

A strong tradition of Deepa Daan and Tulasi Vivah, often performed with full wedding rituals.
Many families keep the Karthika Somavar with Shiva worship.
Visits to local Shiva temples and river banks.
Charity and feeding of the poor are emphasised.

Gujarat

The Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) falls on the first day of Kartik, Tuesday 10 November 2026.
Deepa Daan, Tulasi Vivah and temple visits.
Vishnu and Lakshmi are worshipped alongside Shiva.

North India (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and others)

The purnimanta calendar is followed; the month ends on Kartika Purnima, 24 November 2026.
A major focus on Kartik Snan, especially at Varanasi, Prayagraj and Haridwar.
Dev Deepawali in Varanasi on Kartika Purnima, when the ghats are lit with countless lamps, the "Diwali of the gods". See Dev Deepawali in Varanasi 2026.
A strong Vaishnava emphasis on Damodara worship, Tulasi seva and Bhagavatam recitation.
Many observe the full month as Kartik Vrat with a restricted diet.

Other regions

In Odisha and the eastern states, river baths and lamp offerings are common.
Himachal and the hill regions combine the month with the worship of local deities.
ISKCON and other Vaishnava centres across India hold special Kartik programmes with kirtan and Damodara worship.

Special days in Karthika Masam 2026 (amanta calendar, India)

Date	Day	Observance
10 November	Tuesday	Karthika Masam begins; Gujarati New Year
13 November	Friday	Nagula Chavithi
16 November	Monday	First Karthika Somavaram; Vrishchika Sankranti
20 November	Friday	Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
21 November	Saturday	Ksheerabdi Dwadashi; Tulasi Vivah
23 November	Monday	Second Somavaram; Vaikuntha Chaturdashi
24 November	Tuesday	Karthika Purnima; Karthigai Deepam; Dev Deepawali
30 November	Monday	Third Somavaram
7 December	Monday	Fourth Somavaram; Masa Shivaratri
8 December	Tuesday	Karthika Amavasya; month ends

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. Abroad, some dates fall a day earlier or later; see the country guides linked below.

Practical tips for observing Karthika Masam

Begin with a simple sankalpa (resolution) on the first day.
Keep the home clean and the puja area pure.
Use pure ghee or sesame oil for the lamps.
Involve the whole family, especially children, in lighting lamps and Tulasi worship.
If a full fast is difficult, keep ekabhuktam (one meal a day), or avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic and heavy meals. People with diabetes, pregnant women and anyone on medication should ask their doctor before fasting. See Karthika Masam rules 2026.
Give according to your capacity; even a single lamp or a handful of rice given with devotion is valued.

Illuminate your life with the light of Karthika

Karthika Masam invites every devotee to turn both inward and outward, lighting lamps that dispel outer darkness and inner ignorance. Whether you light a single diya on the windowsill of a city apartment or join thousands at the ghats of Varanasi or on the hill at Tiruvannamalai, the essence is the same: offering light to the Divine and receiving divine light in return.

May Karthika Masam 2026 fill your home with the glow of devotion, your heart with peace and your life with the blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Frequently asked questions

When is Karthika Masam 2026?

In the amanta calendar of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, Karthika Masam runs from Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December 2026. In North India's purnimanta calendar, Kartik runs from about 27 October to Karthika Purnima on 24 November 2026.

What are the Karthika Somavaram dates in 2026?

In India the four Karthika Somavarams are 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December 2026. In the USA, Canada and the UK, where the month begins on 9 November, there is a fifth Somavaram on 9 November.

Is it necessary to observe the entire month?

No. Even keeping a few days, especially the Mondays and the Purnima, with sincerity is considered meritorious. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Can women perform these rituals?

Yes. Women take a full part in Deepa Daan, Tulasi worship, Vanabhojanam and most home rituals.

What if I cannot visit a temple?

Worship at home with a small Shiva Linga or a picture of Lord Vishnu, a lamp and sincere prayer is fully accepted.

Is Karthika Masam only for Shiva devotees?

No. It is equally important to Vaishnavas, who worship Lord Damodara and Tulasi through the month, and is a time of spiritual opportunity for every devotee.

Editor's note (19 October 2026)

Owner-supplied article, checked against HinduTone's Karthika Masam 2026 data. All dates follow Drik Panchang for India (amanta month 10 November to 8 December; Somavarams 16, 23, 30 November and 7 December; Nagula Chavithi 13 November; Ksheerabdi Dwadashi 21 November; Karthika Purnima 24 November). We made the Brahma Muhurta timing relative to sunrise, added the fifth Somavaram abroad, and added safety and health notes on lamps and fasting. Customs vary by family and region.