Karthika Somavaram 2026 in Europe: Monday Dates, Vratam Vidhi and Sunset Times for 21 Cities
Karthika Somavaram 2026 in Europe falls on Mondays 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December, and Dublin and Lisbon also count Monday 9 November. The dates are calculated by the Drik Panchang method. This guide covers the vratam vidhi, fasting options, sunset times for breaking the fast in 21 European cities, and tips for a working Monday in the European winter.
Karthika Somavaram 2026 in Europe falls on Mondays 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December, and Dublin and Lisbon also count Monday 9 November. The dates are calculated by the Drik Panchang method.
Quick answer: Karthika Somavaram 2026 Europe dates are Monday 16 November, Monday 23 November, Monday 30 November and Monday 7 December 2026 in most European cities. In Dublin and Lisbon, Karthika Masam begins on Monday 9 November, so they have a fifth Somavaram on that day.
Masik Shivaratri falls on Sunday 6 December in Europe, one day before the last Somavaram. Please note: these European dates are calculated by HinduTone using the Drik Panchang method, so please confirm them on Drik Panchang for your city. All times are local time.
Karthika Somavaram 2026 Europe: the Monday dates
| Somavaram | Most European cities | Dublin and Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Not a Somavaram (month begins Tue 10 Nov) | 1st Somavaram (month begins this day) |
| Mon 16 Nov 2026 | 1st | 2nd |
| Mon 23 Nov 2026 | 2nd | 3rd |
| Mon 30 Nov 2026 | 3rd | 4th |
| Mon 7 Dec 2026 | 4th (last) | 5th (last) |
The cities in our calculation are Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Amsterdam, The Hague, Paris, Brussels, Zurich, Dublin, Milan, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Vienna, Warsaw, Lisbon and Helsinki.
Dublin and Lisbon are on Western European time, one hour behind most of the continent. That moves local sunrise relative to the new moon, so the month begins a day earlier, as in the UK.
Other Karthika dates in Europe
| Event | Date in Europe (2026) |
|---|---|
| Nagula Chavithi | Fri 13 Nov |
| Devutthana Ekadashi | Fri 20 Nov |
| Ksheerabdi Dwadashi / Tulasi Vivah | Sat 21 Nov |
| Karthika Pournami | Tue 24 Nov |
| Masik Shivaratri | Sun 6 Dec |
| Karthika Amavasya (month ends) | Tue 8 Dec |
For Purnima times in every city, see Karthika Masam 2026 in Europe, city by city.
Why Karthika Mondays are special
Monday is Shiva's day. It is called Somavaram after Soma, the Moon, who is said to have been freed from a curse by worshipping Shiva. Karthika is the month most dear to Shiva, so a Monday in Karthika is believed to carry special merit. Telugu families in particular keep the Karthika Somavaram vratam, and many Kannada and Tamil families also worship Shiva on these Mondays.
Somavaram vratam vidhi at home
- Morning: bathe, wear clean clothes and make a short sankalpa (resolution) for the vratam. A warm bath at home is fine in the European winter.
- Lamp: light a ghee or sesame-oil lamp before a Shiva linga or picture.
- Abhishekam: pour water slowly over the linga while chanting "Om Namah Shivaya". You may follow with milk, curd, honey and ghee, ending with water.
- Bilva: offer bilva leaves in sets of three, with white flowers, vibhuti and sandal paste. Fresh bilva is hard to find in Europe; any clean flowers or leaves offered with devotion are acceptable.
- Prayer: chant "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times, or recite the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram.
- Evening: after sunset, light the lamp again, offer fruit, do aarti and then break the fast.
Fasting options
- Nakta vratam: fast during the day and eat one simple vegetarian meal after sunset. In Europe's short winter days this is easier than in India.
- Fruit and milk: only fruit, milk and water during the day.
- Full fast: only for healthy adults who are used to it.
Breaking the fast: sunset on Monday 23 November
These are calculated sunset times for Monday 23 November 2026 in local time. On 16 November sunset is a few minutes later, and on 30 November and 7 December a few minutes earlier.
| City | Sunset Mon 23 Nov |
|---|---|
| Frankfurt | 4:33 PM |
| Berlin | 4:05 PM |
| Munich | 4:29 PM |
| Hamburg | 4:14 PM |
| Amsterdam | 4:39 PM |
| The Hague | 4:43 PM |
| Paris | 5:03 PM |
| Brussels | 4:48 PM |
| Zurich | 4:44 PM |
| Dublin | 4:20 PM |
| Milan | 4:47 PM |
| Rome | 4:44 PM |
| Madrid | 5:53 PM |
| Barcelona | 5:27 PM |
| Stockholm | 3:10 PM |
| Oslo | 3:35 PM |
| Copenhagen | 3:53 PM |
| Vienna | 4:10 PM |
| Warsaw | 3:36 PM |
| Lisbon | 5:19 PM |
| Helsinki | 3:36 PM |
For the extra Somavaram on Monday 9 November, sunset is 4:40 PM in Dublin and 5:29 PM in Lisbon.
Masik Shivaratri is on Sunday 6 December in Europe
In India, Masik Shivaratri and the last Karthika Somavaram fall together on Monday 7 December 2026. In Europe, our calculation places Masik Shivaratri one day earlier, on Sunday 6 December. So European devotees have two Shiva days in a row: Shivaratri on Sunday and the last Somavaram on Monday.
Because Sunday is a day off for most people, it is a good evening for a longer abhishekam and a short prayer late at night. Read more in Karthika Masa Shivaratri 2026, and remember that its India date does not apply in Europe.
Tips for a working Monday in Europe
- In northern Europe the sun sets before many people leave work. You can break the fast with fruit at your desk after sunset, and do the full puja at home.
- Do a short abhishekam before work and keep the main lamp and aarti for the evening.
- Winter cold and fasting together can make you tired. Keep warm, drink water or warm milk, and choose a gentle fast if needed.
- Many rented flats do not allow open flames. Use a lamp on a metal plate, never leave it alone, or use an LED diya.
- If you plan to visit a temple, check its website for Monday puja times.
For temples, see Shiva temples for Karthika Masam 2026 in Europe.
Health note
A long fast is not suitable for everyone. Elders, diabetics, people with heart, kidney or blood-pressure conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and anyone on regular medicine should consult a doctor first and keep a gentle fast. Shiva is pleased by devotion, not by harm to the body.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Karthika Somavaram 2026 dates in Europe?
In most European cities, the Karthika Somavarams are Monday 16 November, Monday 23 November, Monday 30 November and Monday 7 December 2026. In Dublin and Lisbon, Karthika Masam begins on Monday 9 November, so that day is a fifth Somavaram there.
Is Masik Shivaratri on a Somavaram in Europe this year?
No. By our calculation, Masik Shivaratri falls on Sunday 6 December 2026 in all 21 European cities in our table, one day before the last Somavaram on Monday 7 December. In India the two fall together on 7 December.
When is sunset on a Karthika Monday in Europe?
On Monday 23 November 2026, sunset ranges from 3:10 PM in Stockholm to 5:53 PM in Madrid. In Frankfurt it is 4:33 PM, in Paris 5:03 PM and in Amsterdam 4:39 PM, local time.
Are these dates from Drik Panchang?
They are calculated by HinduTone using the Drik Panchang method. They match Drik Panchang in our checks for other countries, but please confirm them on Drik Panchang for your city.
Is the UK the same as Europe?
The UK, like Dublin and Lisbon, begins Karthika Masam on Monday 9 November and has five Somavarams. See our UK Karthika guide for British cities.
Who should not keep a strict fast?
Elders, diabetics, people with heart, kidney or blood-pressure conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and anyone on regular medicine should consult a doctor first and keep a gentle fast.
Editor's note
Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. The European dates and sunset times are calculated by HinduTone with the Drik Panchang method and are given in local time. Please confirm them on Drik Panchang for your city. We have not listed temple timings or events; check your temple directly. The fasting advice is general and is not medical advice.
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