Karthika Masam 2026 in the USA is an auspicious Hindu month dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Kartikeya and Tulasi Devi. Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi and North Indian Hindu communities across America observe this sacred month through daily Deepam lighting, Karthika Somavaram Vratam, Shiva Abhishekam, Tulasi Puja, Karthika Pournami, Karthigai Deepam and charitable activities.

From Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland, Texas, and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey to Sri Venkateswara Temple in Pittsburgh, Malibu Hindu Temple in California and Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland, Hindu devotees have numerous opportunities to celebrate Karthika Masam across America.

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This guide covers Karthika Masam 2026 USA dates, state-wise and city-wise Hindu temples, Shiva temples, Murugan temples, Balaji temples, Vishnu temples, special pujas, devotional mantras, fasting practices and how NRIs can celebrate the holy month.

Karthika Masam 2026 USA: Important Dates

Karthika Masam is observed according to the regional Hindu lunar calendar. The local sunrise, tithi and panchangam determine the festival date in different countries.

For Telugu and Kannada Amanta calendar calculations, Karthika Masam 2026 begins on 9 November in the USA and concludes on 8 December 2026.

Some temples follow Indian panchangam dates and may observe the month beginning on 10 November. HinduTone's own Panchang calculation agrees with these US dates (for example, Pournami tithi runs from 1:12 PM EST on 23 November to 9:53 AM EST on 24 November). City-by-city timings are in Karthika Masam 2026 USA: dates, Somavarams and Pournami by city and our guide to all US time zones.

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Karthika Masam 2026 USA calendar

DateFestival / Observance
8 NovemberDiwali / Lakshmi Puja
9 NovemberKarthika Masam begins under the US-local Amanta calculation; first Somavaram
12 NovemberNagula Chavithi
14 NovemberSkanda Sashti
16 NovemberSecond Karthika Somavaram
20 NovemberDevutthana Ekadashi
21 NovemberTulasi Vivah / Ksheerabdi Dwadashi
23 NovemberThird Karthika Somavaram; Pournami tithi begins before sunset
24 NovemberKarthika Pournami calendar date; Karthigai Deepam observances vary by tradition
30 NovemberFourth Karthika Somavaram
7 DecemberFifth Karthika Somavaram
8 DecemberKarthika Amavasya

Five Karthika Somavarams in America

The five Mondays under the US-local Amanta calculation are:

  1. November 9, 2026
  2. November 16, 2026
  3. November 23, 2026
  4. November 30, 2026
  5. December 7, 2026
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The USA and India can have different calendar dates because the lunar tithi is applied using local sunrise rules. Some temples also follow a traditional Indian panchangam. Always check the temple's calendar before making a special puja booking. Monday puja steps are in Karthika Somavaram: Monday rituals for USA Hindus.

When is Karthika Pournami 2026 in the USA?

The Purnima tithi begins on November 23, 2026, before sunset, and ends on November 24 in the morning in US time zones.

For the evening lamp-lighting observance, November 23 is particularly important because Purnima is present at sunset. Some temple calendars list November 24 as the festival date.

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For detailed city-specific timings, refer to the separate HinduTone guide: Karthika Pournami 2026 in the USA.

Spiritual Significance of Karthika Masam

Karthika Masam is one of the most sacred months in Hindu tradition. It is associated with devotion, purity, charity, fasting, spiritual discipline and the worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

The month is especially important for:

  • Lord Shiva worship and Rudrabhishekam.
  • Lord Vishnu and Damodara worship.
  • Lord Murugan and Karthigai Deepam.
  • Tulasi Devi worship and Tulasi Vivah.
  • Daily Deepam and Akasha Deepam.
  • Karthika Puranam Parayanam.
  • Annadanam and charitable donations.

For Hindu Americans, Karthika Masam is also an opportunity to preserve family traditions and teach younger generations about Indian spiritual culture.

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State-Wise Hindu Temples in the USA for Karthika Masam 2026

The following directory highlights prominent Hindu temples and worship centres across America. The descriptions identify their relevance to different devotional traditions, not confirmed 2026 festival bookings.

Devotees should check each temple's official website for opening hours, puja schedules, special abhishekams, festival announcements and registration requirements. See also our top 10 Karthika Masam temples in the USA and Shiva temples to visit during Karthika Masam in the USA.

1. Texas: Houston, Dallas, Austin, Plano and San Antonio

Texas is one of the most important destinations for Hindu families in the United States. The Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin metropolitan areas have large Indian communities and several major temples.

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Important Hindu temples in Texas

1. Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam

  • Location: 17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584.
  • Main deities: Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.
  • Karthika significance: Shiva worship, Devi worship and traditional South Indian rituals.
  • Official website: https://meenakshi.org/

2. Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya

  • Location: Sugar Land, Houston metropolitan area.
  • Main deity: Lord Shiva.
  • Karthika significance: Shiva Abhishekam, Rudram and Somavaram worship.

3. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Houston

  • Location: Stafford, Texas.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.
  • Karthika significance: Daily worship, arti, satsang and family devotional programmes.
  • Official website: https://www.baps.org/

4. Hindu Temple of The Woodlands

  • Location: The Woodlands, Texas.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.
  • Karthika significance: Family worship, Hindu festivals and community gatherings.
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5. ISKCON Houston

  • Location: Houston, Texas.
  • Tradition: Krishna consciousness.
  • Karthika significance: Damodara month, daily lamp offerings, Krishna bhajans and prasadam.

6. Sri Ashta Lakshmi Temple

  • Location: Sugar Land, Texas.
  • Main deity: Goddess Ashta Lakshmi.
  • Karthika significance: Lakshmi worship and Vishnu-related devotional traditions.

7. Shri Krishna Vrundavana

  • Location: Sugar Land, Texas.
  • Tradition: Krishna and Vaishnava worship.
  • Karthika significance: Krishna bhajans and devotional programmes.

8. Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas

  • Location: Allen, Dallas metropolitan area.
  • Main deities: Radha and Krishna.
  • Karthika significance: Krishna worship, bhajans and Damodara month observances.

9. DFW Hindu Temple

  • Location: Irving, Texas.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.
  • Karthika significance: General Hindu worship and festival participation.
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10. Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple

  • Location: Frisco, Texas.
  • Main deity: Lord Hanuman.
  • Karthika significance: Hanuman worship and devotional prayers.

11. Sri Venkateswara Temple of Austin

  • Location: Cedar Park, Austin metropolitan area.
  • Main deity: Lord Venkateswara.
  • Karthika significance: Vishnu worship and temple darshan.

12. Texas Murugan Temple

  • Location: Liberty Hill, Texas.
  • Main deity: Lord Murugan.
  • Karthika significance: Especially relevant for Tamil devotees and Karthigai Deepam traditions.

13. Hindu Temple of San Antonio

  • Location: Helotes, San Antonio.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.

14. Hindu Temple of Greater Fort Worth

  • Location: Fort Worth, Texas.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.

15. Shri Ganesha Temple

  • Location: Plano, Texas.
  • Main deity: Lord Ganesha.
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Texas families can also enquire about Shiva puja, Tulasi Vivah, Karthika Deepam and Annadanam programmes at their nearest temple.

2. California: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento

California has one of America's largest Hindu temple networks, with temples representing South Indian, North Indian, Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta traditions.

Important Hindu temples in California

1. Malibu Hindu Temple

  • Location: Calabasas, near Malibu, California.
  • Main deities: Lord Venkateswara and Lord Shiva, among other deities.
  • Karthika significance: Vishnu and Shiva worship.
  • Website: https://malibuhindutemple.org/

2. Shiva-Vishnu Temple of Livermore

  • Location: Livermore, California.
  • Main deities: Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
  • Karthika significance: Particularly relevant for Somavaram, Shiva Abhishekam and Vishnu worship.
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3. Shiva Murugan Temple

  • Location: Concord, California.
  • Main deities: Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan.
  • Karthika significance: Shiva worship and Karthigai Deepam.

4. Sri Venkateswara Temple

  • Location: Bay Area, California.
  • Main deity: Lord Venkateswara.
  • Karthika significance: Vishnu worship and traditional pujas.

5. Sri Krishna Vrundavana

  • Location: San Jose, California.
  • Main deities: Krishna and associated Vaishnava deities.
  • Karthika significance: Damodara month and Krishna worship.

6. Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of the Bay Area

  • Location: San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Tradition: Hindu community worship and cultural activities.

7. Sanatan Dharma Temple

  • Location: Southern California.
  • Tradition: Sanatan Hindu worship.

8. Sri Lakshmi Temple

  • Location: California.
  • Tradition: Lakshmi and Vishnu worship; verify the exact centre and current address before visiting.
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9. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

  • Location: Chino Hills, California.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.
  • Karthika significance: Daily darshan, arti, satsang and devotional activities.

10. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

  • Location: Los Angeles region.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.

11. Hindu Temple of Sacramento

  • Location: Sacramento, California.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.

12. Sri Venkata Krishna Temple

  • Location: Thousand Oaks, California.
  • Main deities: Lord Venkateswara and Krishna.

13. Shree Swaminarayan Temple

  • Location: Downey, California.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.

Additional Hindu communities and worship centres can be found in Fremont, Tracy, San Diego, Anaheim, Irvine, Bakersfield and other California cities.

3. New Jersey: Edison, Bridgewater, Robbinsville and Princeton

New Jersey is a major centre for Indian and Telugu Hindu families in America.

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Important Hindu temples in New Jersey

1. BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham

  • Location: Robbinsville, New Jersey.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.
  • Karthika significance: Hindu spiritual traditions, daily worship and devotional visits.
  • Website: https://www.baps.org/

2. Sri Venkateswara Temple

  • Location: Bridgewater, New Jersey.
  • Main deity: Lord Venkateswara.
  • Karthika significance: Vishnu worship and traditional pujas.

3. Sri Krishna Vrundavana

  • Location: Edison, New Jersey.
  • Main deities: Lord Krishna and associated Vaishnava deities.
  • Karthika significance: Krishna worship and Damodara month observances.
  • Website: https://www.krishnavrunda.org/

4. Sri Rajarajeswari Temple

  • Location: New Jersey region.
  • Main deity: Goddess Rajarajeswari.
  • Karthika significance: Devi worship.

5. Hindu Temple and Cultural Society

  • Location: Bridgewater, New Jersey.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.
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6. Swaminarayan Hindu Temple

  • Location: Monmouth Junction, New Jersey.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.

7. Radha Krishna Temple

  • Location: New Jersey.
  • Main deities: Radha and Krishna.

8. ISKCON New Jersey

  • Location: New Jersey.
  • Tradition: Krishna consciousness.
  • Karthika significance: Damodara month and daily lamp offerings.

9. Amman Shakti Illam

  • Location: Edison, New Jersey.
  • Tradition: Devi worship.

10. Chinmaya Mission

  • Location: New Jersey centres.
  • Tradition: Vedanta, spiritual education and devotional activities.

4. New York: Queens, Flushing, Rochester and Buffalo

New York has an established Hindu population, particularly in Queens and surrounding metropolitan areas.

Important Hindu temples in New York

1. Hindu Temple Society of North America – Ganesh Temple

  • Location: Flushing, Queens, New York.
  • Main deity: Lord Ganesha.
  • Karthika significance: Ganesha worship and Hindu festival observances.
  • Website: https://nyganeshtemple.org/
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2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

  • Location: New York metropolitan region.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.

3. Sri Venkateswara Temple

  • Location: New York metropolitan region.
  • Main deity: Lord Venkateswara.

4. Sri Rajarajeswari Peetham

  • Location: Rush, near Rochester, New York.
  • Main deity: Goddess Rajarajeswari.
  • Tradition: Sri Vidya and Shakta worship.

5. Hindu Temple Society

  • Location: Albany region, New York.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.

6. ISKCON New York

  • Location: Manhattan, New York.
  • Tradition: Krishna consciousness.
  • Karthika significance: Damodara month devotional activities.

7. Hindu Mandir

  • Location: Buffalo, New York.
  • Tradition: Hindu community worship.

8. Shiva Temple

  • Location: New York metropolitan area.
  • Tradition: Shiva worship; verify the particular temple's address and name before visiting.
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9. Radha Krishna Temple

  • Location: Queens and New York metropolitan area.

10. Hindu community temples

  • Locations: Long Island, Nassau County and surrounding New York communities.

5. Illinois: Chicago, Aurora, Lemont and Bloomington

Illinois has an important Hindu population, especially in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Important Hindu temples in Illinois

1. Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple

  • Location: Aurora, Illinois.
  • Main deity: Lord Venkateswara.
  • Karthika significance: Vishnu worship and traditional pujas.

2. Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago

  • Location: Lemont, Illinois.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.
  • Karthika significance: Shiva, Vishnu and other deity worship.

3. Shree Ganesh Temple of Chicago

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois.
  • Main deity: Lord Ganesha.
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4. Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

  • Location: Illinois region.
  • Tradition: Shiva and Vishnu worship.

5. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

  • Location: Bartlett, Illinois.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.

6. ISKCON Chicago

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois.
  • Tradition: Krishna consciousness.

7. Hanuman Mandir of Greater Chicago

  • Location: Glenview, Illinois.
  • Main deity: Lord Hanuman.

8. Sai Samsthan of Central Illinois

  • Location: Bloomington, Illinois.
  • Tradition: Sai worship and Hindu festivals.
  • Karthika relevance: Its 2026 calendar lists a Karthika Masam beginning event on November 9.

9. Chinmaya Mission

  • Location: Chicago metropolitan region.
  • Tradition: Vedanta and Hindu spiritual education.

10. Shree MahaLakshmi Temple

  • Location: Chatham, Illinois.
  • Main deity: Goddess Mahalakshmi.

6. Georgia: Atlanta, Cumming and Lilburn

Georgia has a significant Hindu community, particularly around Atlanta.

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Important Hindu temples in Georgia

1. Hindu Temple of Atlanta

  • Location: Riverdale, Georgia.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.

2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

  • Location: Lilburn, Georgia.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.

3. Shri Venkata Krishna Vrundavana

  • Location: Cumming, Georgia.
  • Main deities: Lord Krishna and Lord Venkateswara.

4. Atlanta Ayyappa Seva Sangam

  • Location: Cumming, Georgia.
  • Main deity: Lord Ayyappa.

5. Atlanta Sanatan Mandir

  • Location: Tucker, Georgia.
  • Tradition: Sanatan Hindu worship.

6. Hindu community worship centres

  • Locations: Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Duluth and surrounding Atlanta suburbs.

7. Maryland and Washington DC

Maryland and the Washington metropolitan region have several important Hindu temples.

Important Hindu temples

1. Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

  • Location: Lanham, Maryland.
  • Main deities: Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
  • Karthika significance: Especially relevant for Shiva Abhishekam and Vishnu worship.
  • Website: https://ssvt.org/
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2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

  • Location: Maryland region.
  • Tradition: Swaminarayan.

3. Murugan Temple

  • Location: Washington metropolitan area.
  • Tradition: Tamil Hindu worship; verify the specific temple and current location before visiting.

4. Hindu Temple of Metropolitan Washington

  • Location: Maryland and Washington DC metropolitan region.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.

5. Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center

  • Location: Greater Washington area.
  • Tradition: Vedanta and spiritual education.

8. Virginia: Richmond, Fairfax and Northern Virginia

Virginia has growing Hindu communities, particularly in Northern Virginia.

Important worship centres include:

  1. Rajdhani Mandir – Chantilly region.
  2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Staunton region.
  3. Shree Sanatan Swaminarayan Temple – Richmond.
  4. Anoopam Mission Shree Swaminarayan Temple – Richmond region.
  5. Hindu temples and community centres across Fairfax, Herndon and Ashburn.
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Devotees should contact their nearest centre about Karthika Somavaram and Deepotsavam programmes.

9. Florida: Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami

Florida has a large Hindu community distributed across several metropolitan areas.

Important Hindu worship centres include:

  1. Hindu Temple of Florida – Tampa.
  2. Hindu Society of Central Florida – Orlando.
  3. Shiva Vishnu Temple of South Florida – Davie.
  4. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Gainesville region.
  5. Hindu Temple and Cultural Center – Jacksonville region.
  6. Hindu community mandirs – Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

These centres are relevant to devotees looking for Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Ganesha and other Hindu worship traditions.

10. Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Suburbs and Philadelphia

Pennsylvania has several important Hindu temples.

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1. Sri Venkateswara Temple

  • Location: 1230 South McCully Drive, Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.
  • Main deity: Lord Venkateswara.
  • Karthika significance: Vishnu worship and temple pujas.
  • Website: https://www.svtemple.org/

2. Hindu Temple Society of Greater Philadelphia

  • Location: Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania.
  • Tradition: Multi-deity Hindu worship.

3. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

  • Location: Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

4. Hindu Temple of Central Pennsylvania

  • Location: Mechanicsburg region.

5. Sri Lakshmi Narayan Temple

  • Location: Greater Philadelphia region.

11. Washington State: Seattle, Bellevue and Redmond

Important Hindu worship centres include:

  1. Hindu Temple and Cultural Center – Bothell.
  2. Vedic Cultural Center – Sammamish.
  3. Shri Venkata Krishna Vrundavana – Redmond.
  4. ISKCON Seattle – Seattle region.
  5. Hindu community centres across Bellevue, Redmond and Kent.

Karthika Masam devotees can enquire about Shiva Abhishekam, Vishnu worship and Deepotsavam.

12. Arizona: Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale

Important Hindu worship centres include:

  1. Sri Venkata Krishna Kshetra – Tempe.
  2. Arizona Hindu Temple – Phoenix region.
  3. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Phoenix region.
  4. Hindu Temple and Cultural Center – Phoenix metropolitan region.

13. North Carolina: Raleigh, Cary and Charlotte

Important Hindu worship centres include:

  1. Hindu Society of North Carolina – Morrisville.
  2. Shri Venkata Krishna Vrundavana – Cary.
  3. Hindu Temple of Charlotte – Charlotte.
  4. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Charlotte region.
  5. Sri Venkateswara Temple – North Carolina region.

14. Colorado: Denver and Centennial

Important Hindu worship centres include:

  1. Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of the Rockies – Denver region.
  2. Hindu Temple of Colorado – Centennial region.
  3. ISKCON Denver.
  4. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Denver region.

15. Massachusetts: Boston, Ashland and Greater Boston

Important Hindu worship centres include:

  1. Sri Lakshmi Temple – Ashland.
  2. India Association of Greater Boston worship centres.
  3. Chinmaya Mission Boston.
  4. ISKCON Boston.
  5. Hindu community temples across Burlington, Waltham and the Boston metropolitan area.

16. Other US States and Hindu Communities

Hindu devotees also celebrate Karthika Masam in:

  • Oregon – Portland Hindu Temple and Vedic Cultural Center.
  • Michigan – Bharatiya Temple and Hindu community centres in Detroit.
  • Ohio – Hindu temples in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.
  • Wisconsin – Hindu Temple of Wisconsin.
  • Minnesota – Hindu Temple of Minnesota.
  • Tennessee – Hindu temples in Nashville and Memphis.
  • Missouri – Hindu temples in St. Louis and Kansas City.
  • Nevada – Hindu temples in Las Vegas.
  • Utah – Hindu temples in Salt Lake City.
  • New Mexico – Albuquerque Hindu Temple.
  • Hawaii – Kauai's Hindu Monastery.
  • Connecticut – Hindu community temples in Hartford and surrounding cities.
  • Alabama – Hindu worship centres in Birmingham and Huntsville.
  • Alaska – Sri Ganesha Mandir of Alaska.

Contact local temples for current addresses and Karthika programmes.

How to Celebrate Karthika Masam in America

1. Daily Karthika Deepam

Lighting a diya is among the most important practices.

USA Hindu families can:

  • Light sesame-oil or ghee lamps at home.
  • Place lamps near the home altar.
  • Worship Tulasi Devi.
  • Light lamps at sunset.
  • Participate in temple Deepotsavam.
  • Perform Akasha Deepam where permitted and safe.

Because sunset varies significantly between Seattle, New York, Houston and Los Angeles, use local sunset times.

Always follow local fire codes, building rules and safety instructions.

2. Karthika Somavaram Vratam

Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Devotees can:

  • Observe fasting according to family tradition.
  • Visit a Shiva temple.
  • Perform Shiva Abhishekam.
  • Offer Bilva leaves.
  • Chant Om Namah Shivaya.
  • Read Karthika Puranam.
  • Participate in temple bhajans.

3. Karthika Pournami

Karthika Pournami is a highly significant festival.

Recommended observances include:

  • Deepotsavam.
  • Shiva Abhishekam.
  • Satyanarayana Swamy Vratam.
  • Vishnu Sahasranama.
  • Karthika Puranam Parayanam.
  • Annadanam.
  • Food and clothing donations.

4. Karthigai Deepam

Tamil Hindu families celebrate Karthigai Deepam with special devotion to Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan.

Important practices include:

  • Lighting rows of traditional lamps.
  • Worshipping Lord Arunachaleswarar.
  • Visiting Murugan temples.
  • Chanting Shiva and Murugan mantras.
  • Participating in temple Deepotsavam.

See Karthigai Deepam 2026 in the USA, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia and our Karthika Deepam rituals guide for USA Hindus.

5. Tulasi Vivah

Tulasi Vivah is the symbolic marriage of Tulasi Devi and Lord Vishnu in his Shaligram form.

Families can decorate Tulasi plants, perform simple puja, offer flowers and chant Vishnu mantras.

Vaishnava and ISKCON centres may organise special devotional programmes.

Karthika Masam Mantras for USA Hindu Families

Lord Shiva Mantra

Om Namah Shivaya.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat.

Lord Vishnu Mantra

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Lord Murugan Mantra

Om Saravanabhavaya Namah.

Tulasi Devi Mantra

Om Tulasyai Namah.

Devotees may chant these mantras at home or participate in temple prayer sessions.

Karthika Masam Charity and Annadanam in the USA

Charity is an important part of Karthika Masam.

Hindu families living in America can participate in:

  1. Temple Annadanam.
  2. Food bank donations.
  3. Donating winter clothing.
  4. Supporting homeless shelters.
  5. Helping senior citizens.
  6. Donating to registered charitable organisations.
  7. Supporting temple maintenance and community kitchens.
  8. Helping families experiencing financial hardship.

Donations should be made through verified organisations and official temple donation channels. Our Karthika Masam Daanam guide explains what to give and how NRIs can donate.

Special Guide for Telugu NRIs in America

Telugu Hindu families in Texas, California, New Jersey, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and other states often maintain traditions from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Important family observances include:

  • Daily Karthika Deepam.
  • Karthika Somavaram fasting.
  • Shiva Abhishekam.
  • Karthika Puranam reading.
  • Tulasi Puja.
  • Karthika Pournami.
  • Vanabhojanam.
  • Annadanam.
  • Temple visits and family devotional gatherings.

Families who live far away from Hindu temples can perform these rituals at home.

Children can learn devotional songs, mantras and the stories of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Kartikeya. Family abroad? See our guides for the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and temple celebrations in India.

Frequently Asked Questions: Karthika Masam 2026 USA

1. When does Karthika Masam start in the USA in 2026?

Under the US-local Amanta calendar calculation, Karthika Masam begins on November 9, 2026. Some temples following Indian panchangam observe November 10.

2. How many Karthika Somavarams are there in the USA?

There are five under the US-local Amanta calendar calculation: November 9, 16, 23 and 30, and December 7, 2026.

3. When is Karthika Pournami 2026 in America?

Karthika Pournami is listed on November 24, 2026, while the Purnima tithi is present at sunset on November 23. The evening Deepam observance therefore needs attention to local panchangam rules.

4. Which are the best Shiva temples in the USA for Karthika Masam?

Important temples to enquire with include Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya in Texas, Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore, Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland, Malibu Hindu Temple and other local Shiva temples.

5. Where can Telugu families celebrate Karthika Masam in America?

Telugu families can find temples in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Jose, Los Angeles, Edison, Chicago, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Seattle and other major cities.

6. Which temples celebrate Karthigai Deepam in America?

Tamil devotees can enquire with Shiva and Murugan temples, including Texas Murugan Temple, Shiva Murugan Temple in California and other regional Murugan temples.

7. Can Hindu NRIs perform Karthika Masam puja at home?

Yes. Daily Deepam, Tulasi Puja, Shiva mantra chanting, fasting according to personal circumstances and devotional reading can all be performed at home.

8. Do USA Hindu temples organise special Karthika Somavaram Abhishekams?

Programmes vary by temple. Contact the temple directly to confirm the dates, puja timings, registration requirements and offerings.

9. Which US states have large Hindu temple communities?

California, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania have extensive Hindu temple networks.

10. How can NRIs donate during Karthika Masam?

Devotees can contribute to temple Annadanam, registered food banks, community kitchens, clothing drives and verified charitable organisations.

Conclusion: Celebrate Karthika Masam 2026 Across America

Karthika Masam 2026 offers Hindu families across the United States an opportunity to reconnect with spiritual traditions and celebrate the divine blessings of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Murugan and Tulasi Devi.

From Sri Meenakshi Temple in Texas and Malibu Hindu Temple in California to Sri Venkateswara Temple in Pittsburgh, Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland and Hindu temples across New Jersey, New York, Illinois and Georgia, devotees can participate in traditional worship throughout America.

Whether you observe Karthika Somavaram, perform Shiva Abhishekam, light daily Deepam, celebrate Karthika Pournami or participate in Annadanam, the sacred month encourages devotion, compassion and spiritual growth.

May Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu bless all Hindu families in the United States with peace, prosperity, happiness and good health.

Om Namah Shivaya!

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!