Karthika Somavaram 2026 in the UAE: Four Monday Dates, Vratam Vidhi and Sunset Times for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and More
Karthika Somavaram 2026 in the UAE falls on four Mondays: 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December. The last Monday is also Masik Shivaratri. Here are the Drik Panchang dates, a simple vratam vidhi, fasting options, sunset times for breaking the fast in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain, and tips for a working Monday.
Karthika Somavaram 2026 in the UAE falls on four Mondays: 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December. The last Monday is also Masik Shivaratri.
Quick answer: Karthika Somavaram 2026 UAE dates are Monday 16 November, Monday 23 November, Monday 30 November and Monday 7 December 2026. The fourth Monday, 7 December, is also Masik Shivaratri, which makes it a special day for Shiva devotees in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the Emirates.
According to Drik Panchang, Karthika Masam 2026 in the UAE runs from Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December. The dates are the same in all five cities in our table. All times in this guide are UAE time.
Karthika Somavaram 2026 UAE: the four Mondays
| Somavaram | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Mon 16 Nov 2026 | First Monday of Karthika Masam |
| 2nd | Mon 23 Nov 2026 | Day before Karthika Pournami (Tue 24 Nov) |
| 3rd | Mon 30 Nov 2026 | Waning-moon fortnight |
| 4th | Mon 7 Dec 2026 | Also Masik Shivaratri |
Source: Drik Panchang for the UAE. Because the month begins on Tuesday 10 November, Monday 9 November is not counted. The UK, USA and Canada, where the month begins a day earlier, have five Somavarams this year.
Other Karthika dates in the UAE
| Event | Date in the UAE (2026) |
|---|---|
| Karthika Masam begins | Tue 10 Nov |
| Nagula Chavithi | Fri 13 Nov |
| Devutthana Ekadashi | Fri 20 Nov |
| Ksheerabdi Dwadashi / Tulasi Vivah | Sat 21 Nov |
| Karthigai Deepam and Karthika Pournami | Tue 24 Nov |
| Masik Shivaratri | Mon 7 Dec |
| Karthika Amavasya (month ends) | Tue 8 Dec |
For Purnima times and the full month, see our Karthika Masam 2026 Dubai and UAE guide.
The meaning of Karthika Somavaram
Monday is Shiva's day. Its name, Somavaram, comes from Soma, the Moon, who is said to have been relieved of a curse by worshipping Shiva. Karthika is considered the month most dear to Shiva, and its Mondays are the most important weekly days of the month, especially for Telugu, Kannada and Tamil families.
Devotees believe that sincere worship on a Karthika Monday removes obstacles and brings peace to the family. The day is kept with a fast, an abhishekam, bilva leaves, lamps and the Panchakshari mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya".
Somavaram vratam vidhi at home
- Bath and sankalpa: bathe early, wear clean clothes, and make a short resolution to keep the vratam.
- Lamp: light a ghee or sesame-oil lamp before the Shiva linga or picture.
- Abhishekam: pour water slowly over the linga while chanting "Om Namah Shivaya". Milk, curd, honey and ghee may follow, ending with water.
- Bilva and flowers: offer bilva leaves in sets of three, white flowers, vibhuti and sandal paste. If you cannot find bilva leaves, offer clean flowers with devotion.
- Chanting: chant "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times, or recite the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram.
- Evening: after sunset, light the lamp again, offer fruit as naivedyam, do aarti and then break the fast.
Fasting options
- Nakta vratam: fast during the day and eat one simple vegetarian meal after sunset. This is the classic Karthika Somavaram fast in many Telugu homes.
- Fruit and milk: take only fruit, milk and water during the day.
- Full fast: only for healthy adults who are used to it.
Many families also avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food for the whole month. See Karthika Masam rules 2026.
Breaking the fast: sunset on Monday 23 November
These are Drik Panchang sunset times for Monday 23 November 2026. Sunsets on the other Karthika Mondays are within a few minutes of these.
| City | Sunset Mon 23 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dubai | 5:29 PM |
| Abu Dhabi | 5:33 PM |
| Sharjah | 5:28 PM |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 5:25 PM |
| Al Ain | 5:28 PM |
Sunset in the UAE comes at about 5:30 PM in November. For many people this is close to the end of the working day, so the fast can be broken at home soon after work.
Masik Shivaratri on Monday 7 December
In the UAE, Masik Shivaratri falls on the last Karthika Somavaram, Monday 7 December 2026. Devotees often keep the Monday fast, do an evening abhishekam and a short prayer late at night, the traditional Shivaratri time. Read more in Karthika Masa Shivaratri 2026.
Tips for NRIs in the UAE
- Monday is a normal working day in the UAE. Plan a short morning puja and keep the main lamp and aarti for the evening.
- November weather is milder, but offices and outdoor sites can still be warm. Drink water through the day if you are on a partial fast.
- If you live in a shared flat or labour accommodation, an LED diya is a safe choice where open flames are not allowed.
- Hindu temples in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can be very busy on festival evenings. Check the temple's website for timings and any booking or entry rules.
- The UAE is one and a half hours behind India. Your 6 PM aarti is 7:30 PM in India, which is a convenient time for a family video call.
For temples, see Shiva temples for Karthika Masam 2026 in the UAE.
Health note
Fasting should support your devotion, not harm your health. 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 choose a gentle fast. If you feel unwell, eat something and continue your prayers.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Karthika Somavaram 2026 dates in the UAE?
Drik Panchang gives four Karthika Somavarams in the UAE: Monday 16 November, Monday 23 November, Monday 30 November and Monday 7 December 2026. Karthika Masam begins on Tuesday 10 November, so Monday 9 November is not a Somavaram.
Is Masik Shivaratri on a Somavaram in the UAE?
Yes. Drik Panchang lists Masik Shivaratri in the UAE on Monday 7 December 2026, the last Karthika Somavaram. This is the same as in India.
What time is sunset in Dubai on Karthika Somavaram?
On Monday 23 November 2026, sunset is at 5:29 PM in Dubai, 5:33 PM in Abu Dhabi and 5:28 PM in Sharjah (UAE time). Sunsets on the other Karthika Mondays are within a few minutes of these times.
Are the UAE dates the same as India's?
Almost all of them are. The month runs from 10 November to 8 December in both, and the Somavarams, Karthika Pournami (Tue 24 Nov) and Masik Shivaratri (Mon 7 Dec) are the same. But clock times differ, so use UAE times, not India's.
Can I keep the vratam while working a full day?
Yes. Do a short puja in the morning, keep a fruit-and-milk fast or a light fast during the day, and do the main lamp and aarti after sunset. Devotion matters more than the length of the ritual.
Who should avoid 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 dates and sunset times are from Drik Panchang for the UAE and are given in UAE time. We have not listed temple timings or events; please check your temple directly. The fasting advice is general and is not medical advice.
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