Quick answer: The best-known Shiva temples in Australia for Karthika Masam 2026 are the Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple at Carrum Downs in Melbourne, the Shri Shiva Mandir at Minto in Sydney and the Sri Venkateswara Temple at Helensburgh, south of Sydney, which has a Shiva shrine beside its main Venkateswara shrine. In Australia, Karthika Masam runs from Tuesday 10 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026, with four Somavarams and Karthika Pournami on Tuesday 24 November.

This guide has been restored at its original hindutone.com address. We have kept the list short on purpose. We name only long-established temples that we are confident about, with the city and main deity. We do not give opening hours, prices, contact details or event claims. Please check the temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes.

Karthika Masam 2026 dates in Australia

Karthika is the month most dear to Lord Shiva. Devotees bathe early, light a lamp at dusk, keep Mondays for prayer and visit Shiva temples. The Australian dates below come from Drik Panchang. They are the same in every Australian city.

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  • Karthika Masam begins: Tuesday 10 November 2026.
  • Karthika Somavarams: Monday 16 November, 23 November, 30 November and 7 December 2026, four Mondays in all. Monday 9 November falls before the month begins in Australia.
  • Nagula Chavithi: Friday 13 November 2026.
  • Karthika Pournami and Karthigai Deepam: Tuesday 24 November 2026. In Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart the Purnima tithi runs from Tuesday 24 November, 5:12 AM, to Wednesday 25 November, 1:53 AM. In Brisbane it runs from 4:12 AM on 24 November to 12:53 AM on 25 November. In Adelaide it runs from 4:42 AM on 24 November to 1:23 AM on 25 November. In Perth it runs from 2:12 AM to 10:53 PM on 24 November.
  • Masik Shivaratri: Monday 7 December 2026, the same day as the last Karthika Somavaram.
  • Karthika Masam ends: Wednesday 9 December 2026 (Amavasya).

Monday 7 December is a doubly auspicious day for Shiva devotees in Australia, because Masik Shivaratri falls on the last Karthika Monday. Sunset in Sydney is about 7:44 PM on Karthika Pournami and in Melbourne about 8:18 PM, so evening deepam comes late. For all cities, see our Karthika Masam 2026 Australia guide and our guide to Karthika Somavaram 2026 in Australia.

Shiva temples in Australia for Karthika Masam 2026

Australia has many Hindu temples, and most are multi-deity temples. The three below are well known, long established and offer Shiva worship. If your local temple is not listed, that does not mean it lacks a Shiva shrine. Ask the temple directly.

1. Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple, Carrum Downs (Melbourne)

The Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple at Carrum Downs, in Melbourne's south-east, is one of the best-known Hindu temples in Victoria. As its name says, it is dedicated to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It is built in the South Indian style, and it serves Hindu families from many backgrounds across Melbourne.

Because it honours both Shiva and Vishnu, it suits Karthika well. Karthika is sacred to both deities, and families often like to worship Shiva on the Mondays and Vishnu around Ekadashi and Ksheerabdi Dwadashi. Check the temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes.

2. Shri Shiva Mandir, Minto (Sydney)

The Shri Shiva Mandir at Minto, in south-western Sydney, is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. For Sydney devotees who want a temple where Shiva is the presiding deity, it is a natural place to visit on a Karthika Monday or for Masik Shivaratri on Monday 7 December.

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Mondays are usually the busiest days at Shiva temples during Karthika. Check the temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes before you go.

3. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Helensburgh (south of Sydney)

The Sri Venkateswara Temple at Helensburgh, in the hills south of Sydney, is one of the oldest and best-known South Indian temples in Australia. Its main deity is Lord Venkateswara. The temple complex also has a Shiva shrine, so devotees can worship both Venkateswara and Shiva in one visit.

It is especially popular with Telugu, Tamil and Kannada families. A Karthika visit to Helensburgh can combine Shiva worship with darshan of Venkateswara, which suits the month well. It is a drive from central Sydney, so plan the journey. Check the temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes.

At a glance: Shiva temples in Australia

TempleCityMain deity
Sri Shiva Vishnu TempleCarrum Downs, MelbourneLord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
Shri Shiva MandirMinto, SydneyLord Shiva
Sri Venkateswara TempleHelensburgh, south of SydneyLord Venkateswara (with a Shiva shrine)

Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin also have Hindu temples, and many have a Shiva linga or a Shiva family shrine. Shrines and programmes vary, so ask your local temple whether it holds abhishekam on Karthika Mondays.

What to offer at a Shiva temple in Karthika

  • Bilva (bael) leaves: the most loved offering to Shiva. Some temples and Indian grocers may have them. If not, offer flowers with devotion.
  • Abhishekam items: milk, water and honey are traditional. Many temples only accept items bought at their counter or booked as a seva, so ask first.
  • A lamp: Karthika is the month of deepam. Follow the temple's rules on lamps, and take care with open flames outdoors in summer.
  • Fruit and flowers: bananas, coconut and white flowers are common offerings.
  • Chanting: the Panchakshari mantra, Om Namah Shivaya, can be chanted quietly at any time.

Temple etiquette for a Karthika visit

  • Dress modestly. Traditional clothes are ideal, and shoulders and knees should be covered, even on a hot day.
  • Remove your shoes in the area provided. Paths can be hot in summer, so plan for that.
  • Many devotees fast or eat only sattvic food before a Monday visit. Do not bring non-vegetarian food or alcohol near the temple.
  • Walk around the shrine clockwise. At a Shiva shrine, tradition says you do not cross the channel that carries the abhishekam water.
  • Keep phones on silent and ask before taking photographs.
  • Give offerings and donations only through the temple's official counters or website.

If you cannot reach a temple on a weekday

All four Somavarams fall on working Mondays. Many Australian families do a short Monday puja at home after sunset. They light a lamp, offer water or milk to a small linga or picture of Shiva, chant Om Namah Shivaya and break the fast after dark. They then visit a temple at the weekend. With sunsets after 7 PM in Sydney and after 8 PM in Melbourne, a sunset-to-sunset fast is long. Fasting is not suitable for everyone. Elderly devotees, pregnant women and people with diabetes or other health conditions should talk to their doctor first.

Frequently asked questions

When is Karthika Masam 2026 in Australia?

In Australia, Karthika Masam 2026 begins on Tuesday 10 November 2026 and ends with Amavasya on Wednesday 9 December 2026. The dates are the same in every Australian city.

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How many Karthika Somavarams are there in Australia in 2026?

There are four: Monday 16 November, Monday 23 November, Monday 30 November and Monday 7 December 2026. Monday 7 December is also Masik Shivaratri in Australia.

When is Karthika Pournami 2026 in Australia?

Karthika Pournami is on Tuesday 24 November 2026. In Sydney and Melbourne the Purnima tithi runs from Tuesday 24 November at 5:12 AM to Wednesday 25 November at 1:53 AM (local daylight time). In Perth it runs from 2:12 AM to 10:53 PM on Tuesday 24 November.

Which Australian temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva?

The Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple at Carrum Downs in Melbourne is dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu, and the Shri Shiva Mandir at Minto in Sydney is a Shiva temple. The Sri Venkateswara Temple at Helensburgh, south of Sydney, has Venkateswara as its main deity and also has a Shiva shrine.

Do Australian temples hold special Karthika programmes?

Many temples mark Karthika Mondays, Karthigai Deepam and Pournami with abhishekam and lamps, but programmes vary by temple and by year. Check the temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes.

Karthika falls in an Australian summer. Does that change anything?

The rituals are the same, but sunsets are late, so a Monday fast broken after sunset lasts longer than in India. Drink enough water and choose a lighter fast if you need to. Also check local fire rules before lighting lamps outdoors.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. We have named only long-established Australian temples that we are confident about, with their city and main deity. The Australian Karthika Masam 2026 dates come from Drik Panchang. We have not given opening hours, prices, addresses or event details, which change. Please check the temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes.