Quick answer: Karthika Masam 2026 runs from Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December 2026 in Andhra Pradesh, with Karthika Pournami on Tuesday 24 November 2026. The most loved Karthika Masam temples in Andhra Pradesh are Srisailam Mallikarjuna, Srikalahasti, Mahanandi, Kotappakonda Trikoteswara, Yaganti Uma Maheswara, the five Pancharama Kshetras, Lepakshi Veerabhadra and Kapileswara at Tirupati. Mondays and Karthika Pournami are the busiest days at all of them.

This guide has been restored at its original hindutone.com address. It covers each temple's deity, district and legend as commonly told, plus the customs of the month. We do not give darshan timings, seva prices or transport details. Please check the temple's official website before you travel.

Karthika Masam 2026 dates and customs in Andhra Pradesh

Karthika is the holiest month for Shiva worship in the Telugu lands. Devotees take an early bath (Karthika snanam), light lamps at dawn and dusk, fast on Mondays and visit Shiva temples. The key days in 2026 are:

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  • Karthika Masam begins: Tuesday 10 November 2026.
  • Karthika Somavaram: every Monday of the month, with Rudrabhishekam and lamp offerings at Shiva temples.
  • Karthika Pournami: Tuesday 24 November 2026. Devotees light 365 wicks, and many temples hold the Jwala Thoranam in the evening.
  • Karthika Masam ends: Tuesday 8 December 2026 (Amavasya).

Families also float lamps on rivers and tanks, worship the tulasi plant and enjoy the Karthika Vana Bhojanalu under the amla tree. See our Karthika Masam 2026 guide for the full month.

The temples at a glance

TempleDeityTownDistrict
SrisailamMallikarjuna, with BhramarambaSrisailamNandyal
SrikalahastiSrikalahastiswara (Vayu linga), with Gnana PrasunambikaSrikalahastiTirupati
MahanandiMahanandeeswaraMahanandiNandyal
KotappakondaTrikoteswara (Dakshinamurthy form)near NarasaraopetPalnadu
YagantiUma MaheswaraYagantiNandyal
Pancharama KshetrasFive forms of ShivaAmaravati, Draksharama, Bhimavaram, Palakollu, SamalkotPalnadu, Konaseema, West Godavari, Kakinada
LepakshiVeerabhadraLepakshiSri Sathya Sai
KapileswaraKapileswaraTirupatiTirupati

Andhra Pradesh reorganised its districts in 2022, so older sources may show Kurnool, Guntur, Chittoor, Anantapur or East Godavari for some of these temples.

Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh for Karthika Masam

1. Srisailam Mallikarjuna

Srisailam, in the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river in Nandyal district, is the first stop for most devotees. Lord Mallikarjuna is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and his consort Goddess Bhramaramba is one of the Shakti Peethas, so the temple is doubly sacred. During Karthika Masam, the hill fills with devotees for abhishekam, lamp offerings and the Pournami celebrations. Read our dedicated guide, Srisailam: the must-visit Shiva temple in Karthika Masam 2026, and our Srisailam Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga guide.

2. Srikalahasti

Srikalahasti, on the Swarnamukhi river in Tirupati district, is one of the five Pancha Bhuta Sthalas, where Shiva is worshipped as the element of air (Vayu linga). The name joins Sri (spider), Kala (serpent) and Hasti (elephant), the three creatures that worshipped the linga here. It is also the place of the hunter-saint Kannappa, who offered his own eyes to the Lord. The goddess is Gnana Prasunambika. The temple is widely known for the Rahu-Ketu puja, and many pilgrims to Tirumala also visit Srikalahasti.

3. Mahanandi

Mahanandi lies at the foot of the Nallamala forests in Nandyal district. Shiva is worshipped as Mahanandeeswara. The temple is famous for its pushkarini (sacred pool), fed by natural springs, with clear water that devotees bathe in throughout the year. Mahanandi is the chief of the Nava Nandis, nine Nandi shrines in the Nandyal area. Many pilgrims combine Mahanandi with Srisailam and Yaganti.

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4. Kotappakonda Trikoteswara

Kotappakonda, near Narasaraopet in Palnadu district, is a hill temple of Lord Trikoteswara Swamy. The name refers to the three peaks (trikuta) of the hill, which are linked with Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Here Shiva is worshipped in his Dakshinamurthy form, the silent teacher, as a young ascetic, so tradition says there is no divine marriage (kalyanam) at this temple. Its biggest festival is Maha Shivaratri, but Karthika Mondays also bring many devotees.

5. Yaganti Uma Maheswara

Yaganti, in Nandyal district, is set among rocky hills and natural caves. Unusually, Shiva and Parvati are worshipped together as Uma Maheswara in a single stone image rather than as a linga. The temple is associated with the sage Agastya, and the present structure is generally linked to the Vijayanagara period. Devotees widely believe that the large Nandi in front of the temple has been growing slowly over the centuries. There is also a sacred pond, the Agastya Pushkarini, fed by a spring.

6. The Pancharama Kshetras

The Pancharama Kshetras are five ancient Shiva temples: Amararama at Amaravati, Draksharama, Somarama at Bhimavaram, Ksheerarama at Palakollu and Kumararama at Samalkot. According to the legend, their lingas are pieces of one divine linga broken by Lord Kumaraswamy when he slew the demon Tarakasura. Visiting all five in Karthika Masam is a cherished goal for many families. Draksharama, where Goddess Manikyamba is revered as a Shakti Peetha, is the largest. Read our full Pancharama Kshetras guide for Karthika Masam.

7. Lepakshi Veerabhadra

Lepakshi, in Sri Sathya Sai district, is famous for the Veerabhadra temple built in the sixteenth century under the Vijayanagara Empire, traditionally by the brothers Virupanna and Viranna. Veerabhadra is the fierce form of Shiva who destroyed Daksha's yagna. The temple is known for its painted ceilings, its large stone Naga linga, and a pillar that is said not to touch the floor fully, often called the hanging pillar. A huge monolithic Nandi stands a short walk away. It is a peaceful place for a Karthika visit and a treasure of art.

8. Kapileswara, Tirupati

The Kapileswara Swamy temple stands at the foot of the Tirumala hills in Tirupati, beside the Kapila Theertham waterfall. According to the legend, the sage Kapila worshipped Shiva here, and the linga is named after him. Many pilgrims to Tirumala stop at Kapila Theertham, and in Karthika Masam it is a natural place to offer a lamp to Shiva before or after Venkateswara darshan. See our Tirumala Venkateswara temple page.

Planning a Karthika temple trip in Andhra Pradesh

  • Rayalaseema circuit: Srisailam, Mahanandi and Yaganti are often combined over two or three days.
  • Tirupati circuit: Kapileswara and Srikalahasti fit well with a Tirumala visit.
  • Godavari and Krishna circuit: the Pancharamas, Kotappakonda and the Kanaka Durga temple at Vijayawada are often combined.
  • Lepakshi: it lies near the Karnataka border, and many families from Bengaluru visit it on a day trip.
  • Crowds: Mondays and Karthika Pournami are the busiest days. Choose other weekdays for a calmer darshan.
  • Timings: special Karthika arrangements change each year. Check the temple's official website before you travel.

Tips for NRIs visiting in Karthika

  • Dress: traditional or modest clothing is expected, and some temples require traditional dress for special darshan.
  • Elders and children: queues can be long and hill temples involve climbs. Plan rest and water.
  • Offerings: bilva leaves, a small lamp, flowers and coconut are traditional. Buy prasadam only from official counters.
  • From abroad: if you cannot travel this year, light a lamp each evening at home and keep Mondays for Shiva puja.

Frequently asked questions

When is Karthika Masam 2026 in Andhra Pradesh?

Karthika Masam 2026 begins on Tuesday 10 November 2026 and ends on Tuesday 8 December 2026 (Amavasya), following the amanta calendar used in Andhra Pradesh. Karthika Pournami is on Tuesday 24 November 2026.

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Which is the most important Shiva temple in Andhra Pradesh?

Srisailam is the most important, because Lord Mallikarjuna there is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba is a Shakti Peetha. Srikalahasti, the Vayu linga among the Pancha Bhuta Sthalas, is equally revered.

What are the Pancharama Kshetras?

They are five Shiva temples at Amaravati, Draksharama, Bhimavaram, Palakollu and Samalkot. According to the legend, their lingas are pieces of one divine linga broken by Kumaraswamy when he slew Tarakasura. Many devotees try to visit all five in Karthika Masam.

Why is Srikalahasti called by that name?

The name joins Sri (a spider), Kala (a serpent) and Hasti (an elephant). According to the legend, all three worshipped the linga here with devotion and were granted liberation by Lord Shiva.

Is Kotappakonda crowded in Karthika Masam?

Karthika Mondays are busy, but the biggest festival at Kotappakonda is Maha Shivaratri, when villages bring tall decorated prabhalu to the hill. Karthika is generally calmer than Shivaratri.

Where can I find darshan timings and seva details?

We do not list timings, seva prices or contact details, because they change, especially during Karthika Masam. Please check each temple's official website or the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department information before you travel.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. It covers well-established facts about these Andhra Pradesh temples and their legends as commonly told. Karthika Masam 2026 dates follow the Drik Panchang amanta month. We have not given darshan timings, seva prices, distances or transport details, which change. Please check each temple's official website before you travel.