Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
Laksha Deepotsava at Dharmasthala
The Laksha Deepotsava, the festival of a lakh lamps, is Dharmasthala's five-day celebration at the end of the Karthika month. Families come for the utsavas, the all-faith meet and the cultural programmes around the Manjunatha temple.
What happens
- The festival opens with a walk from Ujire to Dharmasthala, with bhajans along the way. In 2016 more than ten thousand devotees took part.
- A state-level exhibition opens on the first day. In 2016 it was at SDM High School from 9 am to 9 pm, with free entry.
- The programme includes utsavas such as the Hosakatte, Kere Katte and Lalithodyana utsavas, with Yakshagana and Bharatanatyam on stage.
- On the last two evenings the all-faith meet, the Sarva Dharma Sammelana, and the literary meet, the Sahitya Sammelana, are held. In 2024 the literary meet was its 92nd session.
- The festival closes with the Samavasarana Puja to Bhagawan Chandranatha Swamy.
Sources: daijiworld.com, daijiworld.com, udayavani.com, starofmysore.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Where families go
- Timings and guide
Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
Dharmasthala
The Laksha Deepotsava is held at this temple each year, with utsavas, an exhibition and evening meets around it.
When to go
It falls in November or December, ending at the Karthika new moon. The festival ran from 26 to 30 November in 2024 and from 15 to 19 November in 2025.
| Date | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Dec 2026Tue | Karthika new moon, the likely last day | In 2024 and 2025 the festival ended on this new moon, so 2026 would run about 4 to 8 December. Dates were not announced by 30 October. |
Sources: udayavani.com, drikpanchang.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Before you go
- Good to knowCheck the dates before you book. They follow the lunar calendar, and the temple's events page had no 2026 programme on 30 October.
- Good to knowMost programmes are in the evening. In 2024 cultural events began at 5:30 pm daily, and the all-faith and literary meets opened at 5 pm.
Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.
Sources: shridharmasthala.org, starofmysore.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Questions Families Ask
When is Dharmasthala Laksha Deepotsava 2026?
Not announced by 30 October. In 2024 and 2025 it ended on the Karthika new moon, which falls on 8 December 2026, so expect about 4 to 8 December. Confirm with the temple.
What happens at the Laksha Deepotsava?
A walk from Ujire opens it, followed by an exhibition, utsavas, Yakshagana and dance, an all-faith meet and a literary meet. The Samavasarana Puja closes it.
How many days is the Laksha Deepotsava?
Five days in 2024 and 2025, running 26 to 30 November and 15 to 19 November.
Plan your trip for Dharmasthala Laksha Deepotsava
Opens with this temple already added. See each day with darshan hours, drive times and rough costs.
Plan Your Temple Visit
Free to plan, no sign-up. We sell no pooja, darshan or seva.