Karthika Masam begins
Tuesday, November 10
Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Sydney
Monday, November 9
New Jersey, Dallas, Bay Area, Chicago, London
At a glance
- Karthika Masam begins
- Tuesday, November 10 in India · Monday, November 9 in the USA
- Nagula Chavithi
- Friday, November 13 in India · varies by US city
- Ksheerabdi Dwadashi
- Saturday, November 21 · India and USA
- Karthika Pournami
- Tuesday, November 24 in India · varies by US city
Karthika Masam wishes in Telugu and English
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The date in your city
Cities that share a date are grouped together. Where it differs from India, it’s highlighted.
Nagula Chavithi
Friday, November 13
Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, New Jersey, Chicago, London, Sydney
Thursday, November 12
Dallas, Bay Area
Ksheerabdi Dwadashi
Saturday, November 21
Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, New Jersey, Dallas, Bay Area, Chicago, London
Sunday, November 22
Sydney
Karthika Pournami
Tuesday, November 24
Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, New Jersey, Dallas, Chicago, London, Sydney
Monday, November 23
Bay Area
What is Karthika Masam?
Karthika Masam is the eighth month of the Telugu calendar and, for Telugu families, the holiest month of the year, dear to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It begins just after Deepavali, the day after the Amavasya, and ends with the next Amavasya.
A bath before sunrise, a lamp every evening, fasting on Mondays and a meal together under the amla tree: these are what make the month special.
How it is celebrated
- 1
Karthika snanam
Many bathe before sunrise, in a river or lake or at home while it is still dark. The bath on these cold mornings is believed to wash away sins.
- 2
A lamp every evening
Every evening of the month, lamps are lit at the tulasi plant, at the front door and in temples.
- 3
Karthika Somavarams
The Mondays of the month belong to Lord Shiva. Devotees fast through the day, offer abhishekam and bilva leaves to the Shiva lingam, and eat only after seeing the stars in the evening.
- 4
Vanabhojanalu
On a day in the month, relatives and friends gather in a garden or park, worship an amla (usiri) tree and share a meal under it. Telugu associations abroad hold Karthika Vanabhojanalu in local parks too.
Karthika Masam begins
The start of Kartika, Shiva's holiest month. People bathe early, light lamps every evening, and many keep the Kartika Somavaram fasts.
Karthika Pournami
The full moon of Kartika. Lamps are floated on rivers and ponds and 365 wicks are lit in temples — a very auspicious day for Shiva and Vishnu.
Questions
What is Karthika Masam?
Karthika Masam is the eighth month of the Telugu calendar and, for Telugu families, the holiest month of the year, dear to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It begins just after Deepavali, the day after the Amavasya, and ends with the next Amavasya. A bath before sunrise, a lamp every evening, fasting on Mondays and a meal together under the amla tree: these are what make the month special.
When is Karthika Masam 2026?
Karthika Masam begins on Tuesday, November 10 in India and Monday, November 9 in the USA.
What are the Karthika Somavaram dates in 2026?
In India: November 16, 23, 30; December 7. In the USA Karthika Masam begins a day earlier, so there are five: November 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7.
When does Karthika Masam 2026 end?
Karthika Masam ends with the Amavasya on December 8; Margashira Masam begins the next day.
Why is the date different in the USA?
A festival is kept on the day whose sunrise falls in the right tithi. Sunrise in America comes about 10 hours after sunrise in India, so the tithi at sunrise can differ and the festival can fall a day earlier or later. Always go by your own city’s date.
Can I get a reminder before each festival?
The Teluguvaari Calendar app sends an alert the evening before or the morning of every festival you choose, with the date for your own city. It is free, with no ads.