Quick answer: For Shiva temples in Canada for Karthika Masam 2026, look first in Ontario: Sri Chandramouleeshwara Shivaalayam and Periya Sivan Kovil in Scarborough (Toronto), Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir and Shiva Ganesh Mandir in Brampton, the Niagara Hindu Samaj Shiv Mandir in Niagara Falls and the Cornwall Shivan Temple. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto also has a Shiv-Parvati shrine. In Canada, Karthika Masam runs from Monday 9 November to Tuesday 8 December 2026, with five Somavarams and Kartika Purnima on Tuesday 24 November.

This guide has been restored at its original hindutone.com address. For each temple we give only the name, 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 Canada

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

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  • Karthika Masam begins: Monday 9 November 2026. In India the month begins on Tuesday 10 November.
  • Karthika Somavarams: Monday 9 November, 16 November, 23 November, 30 November and 7 December 2026, five Mondays in all.
  • Nagula Chavithi: Thursday 12 November 2026.
  • Karthigai Deepam: Monday 23 November 2026.
  • Kartika Purnima: listed on Tuesday 24 November 2026. In Toronto, Brampton, Ottawa and Montreal the Purnima tithi runs from Monday 23 November, 1:12 PM, to Tuesday 24 November, 9:53 AM (Eastern time). In Vancouver it runs from 11:12 AM on 23 November to 7:53 AM on 24 November (Pacific time).
  • Masik Shivaratri: Sunday 6 December 2026.
  • Karthika Masam ends: Tuesday 8 December 2026 (Amavasya).

Because the full moon is in force on the evening of Monday 23 November, that day is especially rich for Shiva devotees in Canada. It is a Karthika Somavaram, it has the Purnima evening, and it is Karthigai Deepam. Sunset in Toronto is about 4:46 PM that day. For every city, see our Karthika Masam 2026 Canada guide.

Shiva temples in Canada for Karthika Masam 2026

Ontario has the largest Hindu community in Canada, and all the temples below are in Ontario. The temples below include several where Shiva is the presiding deity, plus two large Toronto-area temples that many families visit during Karthika. Check each temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes before you go.

1. Sri Chandramouleeshwara Shivaalayam, Scarborough (Toronto)

Sri Chandramouleeshwara Shivaalayam in Scarborough, in the east of Toronto, is a Shiva temple. Chandramouleeshwara means "the Lord who wears the crescent moon on his head", one of Shiva's best-loved names. For Toronto devotees who want a temple where Shiva is the main deity, it is a natural place for a Karthika Monday.

2. Periya Sivan Kovil, Scarborough (Toronto)

Periya Sivan Kovil, also in Scarborough, is a Shiva temple. In Tamil, "Sivan Kovil" means temple of Shiva and "Periya" means big or great. Scarborough has a large Tamil Hindu community.

3. Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir, Brampton

Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Gauri-Shankar, that is, Shiva together with Goddess Parvati (Gauri). Worshipping Shiva with Parvati is especially fitting on Karthika Mondays.

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4. Shiva Ganesh Mandir, Brampton

Shiva Ganesh Mandir in Brampton is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. Families in Brampton and the wider Peel Region can worship Shiva and his son Ganesha in one visit during Karthika.

5. Niagara Hindu Samaj Shiv Mandir, Niagara Falls

The Niagara Hindu Samaj Shiv Mandir in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is a Shiva temple serving Hindu families in the Niagara region. For devotees in St. Catharines, Welland and nearby towns, it saves a long drive into Toronto on a winter weekday evening.

6. Cornwall Shivan Temple, Cornwall

The Cornwall Shivan Temple in Cornwall, in eastern Ontario, is a Shiva temple. It is a useful option for devotees in eastern Ontario who want to worship at a Shiva temple during Karthika.

7. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto is a large, traditional carved-stone mandir and a landmark for Hindus across Ontario. Its main deity is Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Like most BAPS mandirs, it also has a shrine to Shiva and Parvati with Ganesha and Kartikeya, so devotees can offer prayers to the Shiva family on a Karthika Monday.

Worship here follows the BAPS tradition, so it will differ from a South Indian Rudrabhishekam. It is still a peaceful and beautiful place for darshan during Karthika.

8. Richmond Hill Hindu Temple, Richmond Hill (Greater Toronto Area)

The Richmond Hill Hindu Temple, north of Toronto, is the large Agama-style temple of the Hindu Temple Society of Canada. Its main deity is Lord Ganesha, worshipped as Sri Varasiddhi Vinayagar. It is a regular stop for many South Indian families in the region. If you plan to go there for Shiva worship in Karthika, confirm Shiva worship with the temple first.

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At a glance: Shiva temples in Canada

TempleCityMain deity
Sri Chandramouleeshwara ShivaalayamScarborough (Toronto), ONLord Shiva
Periya Sivan KovilScarborough (Toronto), ONLord Shiva
Shri Gauri Shankar MandirBrampton, ONLord Shiva (Gauri-Shankar)
Shiva Ganesh MandirBrampton, ONLord Shiva and Lord Ganesha
Niagara Hindu Samaj Shiv MandirNiagara Falls, ONLord Shiva
Cornwall Shivan TempleCornwall, ONLord Shiva
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan MandirToronto, ONBhagwan Swaminarayan (with a Shiv-Parvati shrine)
Richmond Hill Hindu TempleRichmond Hill, ONLord Ganesha (Sri Varasiddhi Vinayagar)

Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Halifax also have Hindu temples, and many have a Shiva linga or a Shiva family shrine. 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. They are hard to find in Canada. Some Indian grocers or temples 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. Many temples restrict open flames, so follow the temple's rules.
  • 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 and winter tips

  • Dress modestly and traditionally where you can. In November, bring a warm layer that is easy to take off indoors.
  • Remove your shoes in the area provided. Winter boots can take time, so arrive a little early.
  • 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.
  • Check weather and road conditions before driving on a winter evening.

If you cannot reach a temple on a weekday

All five Somavarams fall on working Mondays. Many Canadian 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. Our Kartika Masam 2026 Monday rituals in Canada guide explains a simple home puja. 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 Canada?

In Canada, Karthika Masam 2026 begins on Monday 9 November 2026 and ends with Amavasya on Tuesday 8 December 2026. The dates are the same in every Canadian city.

How many Karthika Somavarams are there in Canada in 2026?

There are five: Monday 9 November, Monday 16 November, Monday 23 November, Monday 30 November and Monday 7 December 2026.

When is Karthika Pournami 2026 in Canada?

Kartika Purnima is listed on Tuesday 24 November 2026. In Toronto the Purnima tithi runs from Monday 23 November at 1:12 PM to Tuesday 24 November at 9:53 AM, so the full-moon evening is Monday 23 November. That evening is also a Somavaram and Karthigai Deepam.

Which temples in Canada are dedicated to Lord Shiva?

Ontario has several Shiva temples, including Sri Chandramouleeshwara Shivaalayam and Periya Sivan Kovil in Scarborough (Toronto), Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir and Shiva Ganesh Mandir in Brampton, the Niagara Hindu Samaj Shiv Mandir in Niagara Falls and the Cornwall Shivan Temple in Cornwall.

Do Canadian temples hold Karthika Somavaram abhishekam?

Many temples mark Karthika Mondays and Pournami with abhishekam and lamp offerings, but programmes vary by temple and by year. Check the temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes before you travel.

Is it safe to light Karthika lamps at home in a Canadian winter?

Yes, with care. Keep lamps away from curtains, never leave them unattended, and follow your building's fire rules. Many apartment dwellers use a small enclosed diya or an electric lamp instead.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. For each temple we give only its name, city and main deity. The Canadian Karthika Masam 2026 dates come from Drik Panchang. We have not given opening hours, prices, addresses or event details. Please check the temple's official website for timings and Karthika programmes.