Karthika Masam begins on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, following the Telugu Amanta calendar. The sacred lunar month concludes on Tuesday, December 8, 2026 on Karthika Amavasya, with the traditional Poli Swargam observance held at dawn on Wednesday, December 9, 2026. For devotees of Shiva and Vishnu, Karthika Masam represents a period dedicated to early morning baths, daily oil lamps, Monday fasting, and Tulasi worship.
Telugu Amanta Calendar (AP & Telangana): November 10, 2026 to December 8, 2026.
North Indian Purnimanta Calendar: October 26, 2026 to November 24, 2026.
Karthika Somavaramalu (4 Mondays): November 16, November 23, November 30, and December 7, 2026.
Karthika Pournami: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 (Tithi active until 8:27 PM IST).
Understanding the Regional Calendar Conventions
One common source of confusion every year is why Karthika Masam starts on two completely different dates across India. In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, traditional calendars follow the Amanta reckoning. Under this system, each lunar month starts immediately after Amavasya (new moon) and concludes on the next Amavasya. Since Deepavali Amavasya falls on November 8-9 in 2026, the Telugu Karthika Masam begins on Kartika Shukla Pratipada, which is Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
In contrast, traditional calendars in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan follow the Purnimanta reckoning, where months begin the day after the full moon. For those regions, Kartik month begins after Ashwin Purnima on Monday, October 26, 2026 and ends on Kartik Purnima on Tuesday, November 24, 2026. Devotees in southern India observing Karthika Somavaram vratam follow the Amanta schedule outlined below.
Karthika Masam 2026 Important Dates & Observances
The following verified dates apply to Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and regions observing the Telugu Amanta calendar:
| Festival / Observance | Tithi | Date (2026) | Day of Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karthika Masam Arambham (Start) | Shukla Pratipada (Padyami) | November 10, 2026 | Tuesday |
| Bhratri Dwitiya / Bhagini Hastha Bhojanam | Shukla Dvitiya | November 11, 2026 | Wednesday |
| Nagula Chavithi | Shukla Chaturthi | November 13, 2026 | Friday |
| 1st Karthika Somavaram | Shukla Saptami | November 16, 2026 | Monday |
| Ksheerabdi Dwadashi / Chiluka Dwadashi | Shukla Dvadashi | November 21, 2026 | Saturday |
| 2nd Karthika Somavaram | Shukla Chaturdashi | November 23, 2026 | Monday |
| Karthika Pournami / Jwala Thoranam | Shukla Purnima | November 24, 2026 | Tuesday |
| 3rd Karthika Somavaram | Krishna Saptami | November 30, 2026 | Monday |
| 4th Karthika Somavaram | Krishna Chaturdashi | December 7, 2026 | Monday |
| Karthika Amavasya | Krishna Amavasya | December 8, 2026 | Tuesday |
| Poli Swargam (Poli Padyami Aradhana) | Margashirsha Padyami (Dawn) | December 9, 2026 | Wednesday |
Daily Devotional Practices during Karthika Masam
Observing Karthika Masam does not require elaborate rituals. The core practices center on four simple daily disciplines:
1. Pratah Snanam (Dawn Bath)
Taking a bath before sunrise, ideally during Brahma Muhurtham (between 4:30 AM and 5:30 AM), is the primary discipline of the month. While scriptural texts praise bathing in sacred rivers like the Krishna, Godavari, or Ganga, home devotees can chant the river invocation (Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva Godavari Saraswati…) while taking cold or lukewarm water bath at home.
2. Nitya Deeparadhana (Morning & Evening Lamps)
Lighting lamps during both dawn and dusk is the signature observance of Karthika Masam. Sesame oil (til oil) and pure cow ghee are considered the most auspicious fuels. A lamp is lit in the home pooja room facing east or north, and another lamp is placed at the Tulasi Vrindavanam. For a complete inventory of items needed for your home altar, refer to our practical Karthika Masam Pooja Items List.
3. Shiva Abhishekam & Bilva Archana
Devotees perform abhishekam to a Shiva Lingam or offer water, milk, and bilva leaves (maredi dalalu) with the chanting of the Shiva Panchakshari mantra (Om Namah Shivaya). Chanting the Lingashtakam or Bilvashtakam during the morning offering brings focus and calm to the household.
4. Tulasi Damodara Puja
Every evening, clean the area around the Tulasi plant, apply turmeric and kumkum, offer fresh flowers, and light a ghee or sesame oil diya. Placing a Gooseberry (Amla / Usiri) fruit or lighting a wick on a halved amla fruit is customary on Dwadashi and Pournami days.
Fasting Traditions & Family Customs
Fasting customs vary based on health, age, and family traditions:
- Eka Bhuktam (Single Meal): The most common form of Karthika fasting. The devotee remains on light water or fruit during the day, performs evening Shiva puja, sights the evening stars (Nakshatra Darshanam), and eats a single satvik meal without onion or garlic.
- Naktam (Evening Meal Only): Fasting until nightfall, consuming only milk and fruits during the daytime, and having a vegetarian meal after evening prayers.
- Somavara Upavasam: Strict fasting observed on the four Mondays of the month. Read our complete guide to Karthika Somavaram 2026 Fasting Rules and Shiva Puja for specific procedures.
- Dietary Guidelines: During the thirty days, traditional families avoid onions, garlic, non-vegetarian foods, alcohol, and excessive spices to maintain physical lightness and focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Karthika Masam 2026 start and end in Hyderabad?
In Hyderabad and throughout Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Karthika Masam starts on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 and ends on Tuesday, December 8, 2026. The concluding Poli Swargam ritual takes place early on Wednesday morning, December 9, 2026.
How many Karthika Somavaramalu are there in 2026?
In the Telugu Amanta calendar, there are exactly four Karthika Somavaramalu: November 16, November 23, November 30, and December 7, 2026.
Can working professionals observe Karthika Masam without taking full day leave?
Yes. The essential practices take only twenty minutes in the morning (dawn bath, simple water/milk offering to Shiva, lighting a lamp) and ten minutes in the evening (lighting a lamp at the home altar and Tulasi plant). A full-day fast is not mandatory for everyone; taking a simple satvik vegetarian diet without onion and garlic satisfies the vrata intent.
For detailed ritual schedules and exact sunrise-sunset timings for your city, consult the live PujaPanchang Daily Panchangam.
