25 Famous Shiva Temples in South India to Visit During Karthika Masam 2026

Quick answer: Karthika Masam 2026 runs from Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December 2026 in the Telugu and Kannada amanta calendar, with Karthika Somavarams on 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December and Karthika Pournami on Tuesday 24 November. The 25 famous Shiva temples in this guide cover all five South Indian states: Srisailam, Srikalahasti, Amaravati, Draksharamam and Mahanandi in Andhra Pradesh; Vemulawada, Ramappa, Keesaragutta and Kaleshwaram in Telangana; Tiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Rameswaram, Thanjavur, Kanchipuram, Thiruvanaikaval, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Mylapore in Tamil Nadu; Murudeshwar, Gokarna, Dharmasthala, Nanjangud and Hampi in Karnataka; and Vaikom, Thrissur and Ettumanoor in Kerala. Tiruvannamalai's Karthigai Deepam is also on Tuesday 24 November 2026.

Karthika is the month of lamps, the early-morning bath and Monday worship of Lord Shiva. This guide is a South-India-wide overview. For each temple it gives the location, the form in which Shiva is worshipped, why the temple matters, its main festivals and, where we could confirm them, the official website and the nearest railway station or airport. It then suggests four regional circuits and a few ideas for families abroad. For deeper detail, follow the links to our state guides for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, and to our Karthika Masam 2026 guide for the meaning and practices of the month.

Editor's note on sources (reviewed 9 November 2026): Karthika dates are from Drik Panchang as compiled in our Karthika Masam 2026 and Karthigai Deepam 2026 guides. Temple facts were checked against official temple and state tourism websites where we could reach them (Kerala Tourism, the Vaikom and Dharmasthala temple sites) and otherwise against the English Wikipedia article for each temple, which cites inscriptions, the Archaeological Survey of India and UNESCO. Karthika customs at Srisailam come from reports in The Hans India and Deccan Chronicle (November 2023) and the Tiruvannamalai lamp sequence from DT Next (December 2022). We have not given darshan timings, ticket prices, distances or 2026 event dates that temples have not announced. Please check each temple's official channels before you travel.

Karthika Masam 2026: the dates that matter for temple visits

• Karthika Masam (amanta, AP, Telangana, Karnataka): Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December 2026.
• Karthika Somavarams in India: Mondays 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December. See Karthika Somavaram 2026 dates and the Somavaram fasting rules.
• Karthika Pournami: Tuesday 24 November 2026. See Karthika Pournami 2026.
• Tamil month of Karthigai: Tuesday 17 November to Tuesday 15 December 2026. Karthigai Deepam 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November in India, the same day as Karthika Pournami this year.
• Kerala: temple festivals follow the Malayalam solar month of Vrischikam (November to December). See Thrikarthika 2026.

Every temple below is busiest on Mondays and on the full-moon day. Many temples change darshan arrangements for the whole month; at Srisailam, for example, press reports from 2023 describe sparsha (touch) darshan being stopped on peak days, with only alankara darshan allowed. Expect similar arrangements in 2026 and plan for queues.

The 25 temples at a glance

• Andhra Pradesh (5): Srisailam Mallikarjuna, Srikalahasti, Amaravati Amareswara, Draksharamam Bhimeswara, Mahanandi.
• Telangana (4): Vemulawada Raja Rajeshwara, Ramappa (Rudreswara), Keesaragutta Ramalingeswara, Kaleshwaram Mukteswara.
• Tamil Nadu (8): Arunachaleswarar (Tiruvannamalai), Nataraja (Chidambaram), Ramanathaswamy (Rameswaram), Brihadeeswarar (Thanjavur), Ekambareswarar (Kanchipuram), Jambukeswarar (Thiruvanaikaval), Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Kapaleeshwarar (Mylapore, Chennai).
• Karnataka (5): Murudeshwar, Gokarna Mahabaleshwar, Dharmasthala Manjunatha, Nanjangud Srikanteshwara, Virupaksha (Hampi).
• Kerala (3): Vaikom Mahadeva, Vadakkunnathan (Thrissur), Ettumanoor Mahadeva.

Two of these are Jyotirlingas (Srisailam and Rameswaram), five are the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas (Kanchipuram, Thiruvanaikaval, Tiruvannamalai, Srikalahasti and Chidambaram), two belong to the Pancharama Kshetras (Amaravati and Draksharamam), and four are UNESCO World Heritage properties that are still living temples (Ramappa, Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Hampi). For the full set of twelve Jyotirlingas, see our 12 Jyotirlingas for Karthika Masam 2026.

Andhra Pradesh: Shiva temples for Karthika Masam

Andhra Pradesh has the Telugu lands' most famous Karthika pilgrimages. Our Andhra Pradesh Karthika temples guide also covers Kotappakonda, Yaganti, Lepakshi and Kapileswara at Tirupati.

1. Srisailam Mallikarjuna, Nandyal district

Where and who: Srisailam, in Nandyal district, above the Krishna river (called Patala Ganga here). Shiva is worshipped as Mallikarjuna, with Goddess Bhramaramba.

Why it matters: Mallikarjuna is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and Bhramaramba is counted among the Shakti Peethas, so the shrine is doubly sacred. The temple is administered by the Andhra Pradesh government (Endowments).

In Karthika: in past years the Devasthanam has held a Laksha Deepotsavam, Pushkarini Harati and the Jwala Thoranam during Karthika Masotsavams, and devotees take a holy dip at Patala Ganga. The 2026 schedule had not been announced in any source we could read; watch the official site. Main festival: Maha Shivaratri.

Getting there: the nearest railway station is Markapur Road, and the nearest airports are Kurnool and Hyderabad. Official website: www.srisailadevasthanam.org. Read more: Srisailam Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga guide and Srisailam in Karthika Masam 2026.

2. Srikalahasti, Tirupati district

Where and who: Srikalahasti town, Tirupati district, beside the Swarnamukhi river. Shiva is worshipped as Srikalahasteeswara, the Vayu (air) linga, with Goddess Gnana Prasunambika.

Why it matters: it is the air temple among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas. The name joins Sri (spider), Kala (serpent) and Hasti (elephant), the three creatures said to have worshipped the linga, and the temple is linked with the hunter-saint Kannappa, who was ready to offer his eyes to the Lord. It is widely known for the Rahu-Ketu puja.

Festivals: the Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam, held over 13 days, is the biggest. Getting there: the temple is about 3 km from Sri Kalahasti railway station. We could not confirm the current official website, so book only through the Andhra Pradesh Endowments channels. Read more: Sri Kalahasti temple.

3. Amaravati Amareswara (Amararama), Palnadu district

Where and who: Amaravathi, Palnadu district, on the Krishna river. Shiva is worshipped as Amareswara (Amaralingeswara), with Goddess Bala Chamundika.

Why it matters: it is Amararama, the only one of the five Pancharama Kshetras on the Krishna; the other four are in the Godavari region. The temple walls carry dozens of Telugu and Sanskrit inscriptions, the earliest dated 1129 CE, and the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya added a mandapa. Festivals listed for the temple include Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri and Kartika Purnima.

Read more: Pancharama Kshetras guide for Karthika Masam. No official website could be confirmed.

4. Draksharamam Bhimeswara, Konaseema district

Where and who: Draksharamam village, Konaseema district. Shiva is worshipped as Bhimeswara Swamy; Goddess Manikyamba is revered here.

Why it matters: Draksharamam is a Pancharama Kshetra and one of the three Trilinga Kshetras (with Srisailam and Kaleshwaram) that gave the Telugu country the name Trilinga Desha. Manikyamba's shrine is counted among the eighteen Shakti Peethas. Inscriptions date the temple to the ninth and tenth centuries, under the Eastern Chalukya king Bhima. Main festivals: Maha Shivaratri and Dasara.

Pancharama circuit: the other three Pancharamas are Somarama at Bhimavaram and Ksheerarama at Palakollu (West Godavari) and Kumararama at Samalkot (Kakinada). Visiting all five in Karthika is a cherished goal for many families; our Pancharama guide covers each.

5. Mahanandi, Nandyal district

Where and who: Mahanandi village, east of the Nallamala hills, Nandyal district. Shiva is worshipped as Mahanandiswara.

Why it matters: it is the chief of the Nava Nandulu, nine Nandi shrines within about 15 km. The temple is known for its pools, fed all year by a spring said to rise beneath the swayambhu linga. The original temple is attributed to the Badami Chalukyas of the seventh century, with later additions. Festivals include Maha Shivaratri and Kartik Purnima. Many pilgrims combine it with Srisailam.

Telangana: Shiva temples for Karthika Masam

Our Telangana Karthika temples guide also covers the Thousand Pillar Temple, Alampur, Yadagirigutta and Panagal. Hyderabad families can also read Karthika Masam 2026 in Hyderabad.

6. Vemulawada Raja Rajeshwara, Rajanna Sircilla district

Where and who: Vemulawada temple town, Rajanna Sircilla district. Shiva is worshipped as Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy, lovingly called Rajanna, with Raja Rajeshwari Devi beside him.

Why it matters: it is the best-known Shiva temple in Telangana. Its special vow is the kode mokku, in which devotees lead a bull (kode), the mount of Shiva, around the temple. Pilgrims bathe in the Dharma Gundam tank before darshan. Maha Shivaratri is the biggest festival, and Karthika Mondays are very crowded.

Official website: vemulawadatemple.telangana.gov.in. Read more: Vemulawada temple guide.

7. Ramappa (Rudreswara) temple, Palampet, Mulugu district

Where and who: Palampet village, Mulugu district. Shiva is worshipped as Rudreswara.

Why it matters: the temple was begun in 1213 CE by Recherla Rudra, a general of the Kakatiya king Ganapati, and is known by the name of its sculptor, Ramappa. Its tower uses light, porous bricks that float in water. On 25 July 2021 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, and it remains a place of worship.

Getting there: the nearest railway station is Warangal and the nearest major airport is Hyderabad. Read more: Ramappa temple.

8. Keesaragutta Ramalingeswara, Medchal-Malkajgiri district

Where and who: A small hill at Keesara on the edge of Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri district. Shiva is worshipped as Ramalingeswara, with Parvati.

Why it matters: the legend says Rama wished to install a linga here and sent Hanuman to Kashi for one; when Hanuman was late, Shiva gave a swayambhu linga, and the lingas Hanuman brought are still scattered over the hill, which is named after him as the son of Kesari. Maha Shivaratri draws several lakh devotees, and the temple is especially busy in the Karthika month, which makes it the first choice of many Hyderabad families on Somavarams. Read more: Keesaragutta temple guide.

9. Kaleshwaram Mukteswara, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district

Where and who: Kaleshwaram village, Mahadevpur mandal, where the Pranahita joins the Godavari. Two lingas share one pedestal: one for Shiva and one for Yama, together called Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy.

Why it matters: it is one of the three Trilinga Kshetras. Pilgrims traditionally worship Ganesha, then Yama, then Shiva, and the village draws visitors through the Karthika month for the river bath at the confluence. It is far from Hyderabad, so plan an overnight halt.

Tamil Nadu: Shiva temples for Karthigai

Tamil Nadu follows the solar month of Karthigai (17 November to 15 December 2026), and its great lamp festival is Karthigai Deepam. See our Karthigai month 2026 festival list, the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams guide and the wider famous temples in Tamil Nadu.

10. Arunachaleswarar, Tiruvannamalai

Where and who: At the foot of the Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai. Shiva is worshipped as Annamalaiyar (Arunachaleswarar), the Agni (fire) linga, with Goddess Unnamulai Ammai.

Why it matters: it is the fire temple among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, and the hill itself is worshipped as Shiva. Thousands walk the roughly 14 km girivalam path around the hill on every full moon. The temple is run by Tamil Nadu's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.

Karthigai Deepam 2026: Tuesday 24 November in India. In the usual sequence, the Bharani Deepam is lit inside the temple in the early morning and the Maha Deepam is lit on the summit at dusk; DT Next reported in 2022 that the hill lamp glows for the following 11 days. A report of 5 November 2026 said the district administration will again restrict public climbing of the hill on 24 November because of the north-east monsoon; the lamp itself is not cancelled. See Karthigai Deepam 2026 and the 2026 hill-climbing restriction. Other festivals: Maha Shivaratri, Thai Thiruvudal, Maasi Magam, Aani Thirumanjanam and Margazhi Thiruvathirai.

Official website: annamalaiyar.hrce.tn.gov.in. Read more: Arunachaleswara temple guide.

11. Thillai Nataraja, Chidambaram

Where and who: Chidambaram, Cuddalore district. Shiva is worshipped as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, in human form rather than as a linga.

Why it matters: Chidambaram is the space (akasha) temple among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas. In the Chit Sabha, a formless representation called the Chidambara Rahasya is kept behind a curtain and shown at puja times. The temple is managed by the hereditary Dikshitar priests.

Festivals: the Aani Thirumanjanam (June to July) and the Margazhi Thiruvathirai (December to January) are the two biggest of six annual abhishekams, and the Natyanjali dance festival is held around Maha Shivaratri. Read more: Chidambaram Nataraja temple guide.

12. Ramanathaswamy, Rameswaram

Where and who: Rameswaram island, Ramanathapuram district. Shiva is worshipped as Ramanathaswamy, with Goddess Parvatavardhini.

Why it matters: it is the southernmost of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Tradition holds that Rama worshipped Shiva here: the sanctum has two lingas, the Ramalingam made of sand and the Vishvalingam brought by Hanuman from Kailasa, which Rama asked to be worshipped first. The temple has 22 tirthas (holy wells) inside and the longest corridors of any Hindu temple in India. It is run by the HR&CE Department.

Official website: rameswaramramanathar.hrce.tn.gov.in. Read more: Ramanathaswamy temple guide and the twelve Jyotirlingas.

13. Brihadeeswarar (Big Temple), Thanjavur

Where and who: Thanjavur, on the south bank of the Kaveri. Shiva is worshipped as Peruvudaiyar, the great lord.

Why it matters: built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010 CE, it is one of the great monuments of Indian architecture. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and the listing was extended in 2004 as the Great Living Chola Temples. The Archaeological Survey of India looks after its conservation, and worship continues. Maha Shivaratri is its main festival.

Getting there: the nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli. Read more: Brihadeeswarar temple.

14. Ekambareswarar, Kanchipuram

Where and who: Kanchipuram town. Shiva is worshipped as Ekambareswarar (Ekambaranathar), the Prithvi (earth) linga, with Goddess Elavarkuzhali.

Why it matters: it is the earth temple among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas. The legend says Parvati made a linga of sand under a mango tree by the Vegavati river, and Shiva appeared to her as the lord of the mango tree; the temple's sacred tree is a mango. The main festival is Panguni Uthiram (March to April), ending with the divine wedding. Read more: Ekambareswarar temple guide.

15. Jambukeswarar, Thiruvanaikaval

Where and who: Thiruvanaikaval, Tiruchirappalli district. Shiva is worshipped as Jambukeswarar, the water linga, with Goddess Akilandeswari.

Why it matters: it is the water temple among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, and an underground stream flows in the sanctum. The noon puja draws many pilgrims daily, and the temple car festival and an annual Natyanjali are held here. It is a short trip from Srirangam. Read more: Jambukeswarar temple guide.

16. Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Where and who: Gangaikonda Cholapuram, near Jayankondam, Ariyalur district. Shiva is worshipped in a great linga carved from a single stone.

Why it matters: Rajendra I, son of Rajaraja I, built the city and temple to mark his expedition to the Ganges, modelling the temple on his father's at Thanjavur; it was completed in 1035 CE. It is part of the UNESCO Great Living Chola Temples. Visit it with Thanjavur. Getting there: Tiruchirappalli International Airport is the nearest airport.

17. Kapaleeshwarar, Mylapore, Chennai

Where and who: Mylapore, Chennai. Shiva is worshipped as Kapaleeshwarar, with Goddess Karpagambal.

Why it matters: the legend says Parvati worshipped Shiva here as a peahen, giving the area its Tamil name, Mylai. The temple is praised in the Tevaram hymns of the Nayanmars and is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams. The original temple may go back to the Pallavas; the present structure dates from a seventeenth-century rebuilding, and its tall gopuram from 1906. The Arupathimoovar festival, when the images of the 63 Nayanmars follow Kapaleeshwarar in procession, is its best-known event. It is run by the HR&CE Department. Read more: Kapaleeshwarar temple guide.

Karnataka: Shiva temples for Karthika Masa

In Karnataka Karthika is the month of deepotsava, when temples line their walls and tanks with lamps. Our Karnataka Karthika temples guide covers these temples and Kukke Subramanya and Male Mahadeshwara Hills in more detail.

18. Murudeshwar, Uttara Kannada

Where and who: Murudeshwar, Bhatkal taluk, on Kanduka Hill by the Arabian Sea. Shiva is worshipped as Murudeshwara (Mridesa linga).

Why it matters: in the Atmalinga legend, Ravana threw away the cloth that covered the Atmalinga after Ganesha set it down at Gokarna, and the cloth is believed to have fallen here. The temple is known for a giant seated Shiva statue, reported at 123 feet, and a 20-storey raja gopura completed in 2008. Getting there: Murudeshwar railway station is on the Konkan Railway between Mangaluru and Mumbai. Read more: Murudeshwara temple guide.

19. Gokarna Mahabaleshwar, Uttara Kannada

Where and who: Gokarna town, facing the Arabian Sea. Shiva is worshipped as Mahabaleshwar, in the Atmalinga.

Why it matters: the legend says Ravana was carrying the Atmalinga from Kailasa to Lanka on the condition that it must not touch the ground; Ganesha, disguised as a boy, set it down here and it could not be moved again. Maha Shivaratri (February to March) is the main festival, with a chariot procession through the town. The temple is now managed by an overseeing committee. Murudeshwar and Gokarna are often visited together.

20. Dharmasthala Manjunatha, Dakshina Kannada

Where and who: Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada. Shiva is worshipped as Manjunatha.

Why it matters: the deity is worshipped by Madhwa Vaishnava priests while the temple is administered by the Jain Heggade family, whose head is the Dharmadhikari: a rare harmony of traditions.

In Karthika: the temple's great festival is the Laksha Deepotsava, a festival of lamps held in Karthika; in 2024 it ran from 26 to 30 November. The temple announces the dates each year, and we had not seen the 2026 dates when this guide was reviewed. Official website: www.shridharmasthala.org. Read more: Dharmasthala Manjunatha temple guide.

21. Nanjangud Srikanteshwara, Mysuru district

Where and who: Nanjangud, on the bank of the Kapila (Kabini) river, Mysuru district. Shiva is worshipped as Nanjundeshwara, also called Srikanteshwara.

Why it matters: the name recalls Shiva drinking the halahala poison at the churning of the ocean. The temple is linked with Tipu Sultan, who is said to have gifted an emerald linga after his elephant was cured. The Dodda Jatre, with five chariots, is its biggest festival. Official website: nanjangudtemple.kar.nic.in. Nanjangud is an easy trip from Mysuru.

22. Virupaksha, Hampi, Vijayanagara district

Where and who: Hampi, on the Tungabhadra river, Vijayanagara district. Shiva is worshipped as Virupaksha, with Goddess Pampa.

Why it matters: it is the one temple in the ruined Vijayanagara capital where worship has continued for centuries, and it is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, inscribed by UNESCO in 1986. The betrothal and wedding festival of Virupaksha and Pampa is held in December and a chariot festival in February.

Kerala: Shiva temples for the Vrischikam season

Kerala temples follow the Malayalam solar calendar, and the month of Vrischikam (November to December) overlaps Karthika. See Thrikarthika 2026 and our guide to famous temples in Kerala.

23. Vaikom Mahadeva, Kottayam district

Where and who: Vaikom, on the banks of Vembanad Lake, Kottayam district. Shiva is worshipped as Mahadeva, and Kerala Tourism calls the temple the Dakshinakasi of the south.

In Vrischikam: the 12-day Vaikathashtami festival falls in Vrischikam, which overlaps Karthika. Kerala Tourism says it commemorates the sage Vyaghrapada, to whom Shiva and Parvati appeared on Krishna Ashtami. Highlights include the Ashtami Vilakku lamps and the arrival of Lord Muruga from the nearby Udayanapuram temple to visit his father. In 2025 it ran from 1 to 13 December; the 2026 dates will be announced by the temple. The temple is run by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Official website: vaikomtemple.org.

24. Vadakkunnathan, Thrissur

Where and who: On a hillock in the centre of Thrissur, surrounded by the Thekkinkadu Maidan. Shiva is worshipped as a linga completely covered by centuries of ghee offerings.

Why it matters: local tradition says Parashurama founded the temple. The temple and its murals are protected as a national monument, and its 2015 conservation project won a UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage award. The famous Thrissur Pooram is held on the maidan around it in the month of Medam (April to May), and its own main festival is Maha Shivaratri, when about one lakh lamps are lit.

25. Ettumanoor Mahadeva, Kottayam district

Where and who: Ettumanoor, Kottayam district. Shiva is worshipped as Ettumanoorappan.

Why it matters: the temple is known for its murals, including a celebrated fresco of Shiva's Pradosha dance, and for the Ezharaponnana, seven large and one small gold-plated elephant figures shown to devotees once a year during the festival in the month of Kumbham (February to March). It is run by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Vaikom and Ettumanoor are close enough to visit on the same day.

Practical Karthika temple circuits

These are suggestions for grouping the temples, not fixed itineraries. Check road conditions, temple notices and the north-east monsoon forecast for Tamil Nadu before you set out, and avoid Mondays and 24 November if you want shorter queues.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

• Hyderabad base: Keesaragutta as a short trip; Vemulawada and Kaleshwaram in northern Telangana with an overnight halt; Ramappa with the Warangal monuments.
• Nallamala circuit: Srisailam and Mahanandi, often combined over two or three days.
• Krishna and Godavari circuit: Amaravati (Amararama), then Draksharamam and the other Pancharamas.
• Tirupati circuit: Srikalahasti fits easily with a Tirumala visit.

Tamil Nadu

• Chennai and the north: Kapaleeshwarar in Chennai, Ekambareswarar in Kanchipuram and Arunachaleswarar in Tiruvannamalai.
• The Chola heartland: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Thiruvanaikaval from a Tiruchirappalli or Thanjavur base, with Chidambaram to the north-east.
• The far south: Rameswaram, usually combined with Madurai.

Karnataka

• Coastal circuit: Murudeshwar and Gokarna on the Konkan coast, and Dharmasthala inland in Dakshina Kannada.
• Mysuru and the north: Nanjangud from Mysuru; Hampi as a separate trip in northern Karnataka.

Kerala

• Kottayam and Thrissur: Vaikom and Ettumanoor in Kottayam district, then Vadakkunnathan in Thrissur. If you are there during Vaikathashtami, expect large crowds on the Ashtami day.

For NRIs and families at home

• Check your local date: Mondays do not change, but tithi-based days can shift by a day outside India. See Karthika Masam 2026 in the USA and in the UK.
• Keep the month at home: light a lamp at dusk each day, keep Monday as a day of Shiva puja or a simple fast, and recite the Panchakshari, Om Namah Shivaya. Our Karthika Snanam and Deepa Daanam guide and Karthika rules, food, dos and don'ts explain the practices.
• Lamps safely: in flats and rented homes, follow our Karthika Deepam safety tips.
• Visiting India: wear traditional or modest clothing, plan rest and water for elders on long queues, and buy prasadam only at official counters. People who are unwell, pregnant, elderly or on regular medication should not fast without medical advice.

Devotees visit these temples in Karthika for prayer, merit and peace of mind. We describe the traditions as they are practised; no temple visit or ritual comes with a guaranteed result. For the latest temple announcements, see Karthika 2026 temple news.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Karthika Masam 2026 in South India?

In the amanta calendar used in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, Karthika Masam 2026 runs from Tuesday 10 November to Tuesday 8 December 2026. The Karthika Somavarams in India are 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December, and Karthika Pournami is Tuesday 24 November. Tamil Nadu follows the solar month of Karthigai, which runs from 17 November to 15 December 2026, and Kerala follows the solar month of Vrischikam.

When is Karthigai Deepam at Tiruvannamalai in 2026?

Karthigai Deepam 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November in India, when the Krittika nakshatra is in force at sunset in the Tamil month of Karthigai (Drik Panchang). At Tiruvannamalai the Bharani Deepam is traditionally lit inside the temple before dawn and the Maha Deepam on the Arunachala hill at dusk. A report of 5 November 2026 said the district administration will again restrict public hill climbing on 24 November because of the monsoon, so follow the temple and district notices.

Which South Indian Shiva temples are Jyotirlingas?

Two of the twelve Jyotirlingas are in South India: Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh and Ramanathaswamy at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. Srisailam is also a Shakti Peetha, as the seat of Goddess Bhramaramba.

What are the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas and where are they?

They are the five Shiva temples linked with the five elements: Ekambareswarar at Kanchipuram (earth), Jambukeswarar at Thiruvanaikaval (water), Arunachaleswarar at Tiruvannamalai (fire), Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh (air) and Chidambaram (space). Four are in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh.

Which of these temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

The Ramappa (Rudreswara) temple at Palampet in Telangana, inscribed in 2021; the Brihadisvara temples at Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, part of the Great Living Chola Temples; and the Virupaksha temple, part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi in Karnataka. All four are still places of worship.

Which day is best for visiting a Shiva temple in Karthika?

Mondays (Karthika Somavaram) and Karthika Pournami are the traditional days for Shiva worship in the Telugu and Kannada lands, and they are also the most crowded. If you want a calmer darshan, go on another weekday and keep Monday for prayer and lamp-lighting wherever you are.

Where can I find darshan timings and seva tickets?

Only on each temple's official website or at the temple office. Timings and tickets change during Karthika, and some temples suspend certain sevas on peak days. We give the official website where we could confirm one, and we do not list timings, prices or booking links.

Can I observe Karthika Masam if I live abroad?

Yes. Light a lamp at dusk each day, keep Mondays for Shiva puja or a simple fast as your health allows, and visit your local temple on a Somavaram or on Karthika Pournami. Check the date for your country, because tithi-based days can shift by a day outside India.

Related guides

• Karthika Masam 2026: dates and complete guide
• Karthika Masam 2026: Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh
• Karthika Masam 2026: Shiva temples in Telangana
• Karthika Masam temples in Karnataka
• Pancharama Kshetras guide
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