Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
Karthika Masam and Deepotsavam at Srisailam
Devotees believe worship of Shiva in the Karthika month is especially meritorious, and Srisailam draws heavy crowds through the month. Families bathe at Pathala Ganga, light lamps and come above all on Karthika Mondays.
What happens
- Many pilgrims bathe at Pathala Ganga on the Krishna before joining the darshan queue.
- In the evenings the temple holds Karthika deeparadhana at North Mada Street and Gangadhara Mandapam, and Jwalathoranam is lit.
- On the first Karthika Monday of 2025, the Laksha Deepotsavam lit about one lakh lamps at the Swamy Pushkarini, and pilgrims floated lamps on the Krishna.
- On Karthika Pournami the temple has held a river harathi at Pathala Ganga.
Sources: deccanchronicle.com, deccanchronicle.com, deccanchronicle.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Where families go
- Timings and guide
Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple
Srisailam
Pilgrims crowd the Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga on Karthika Mondays and Pournami, bathe at Pathala Ganga and attend the temple's evening lamp rituals.
When to go
Karthika masam 2026 runs from 10 November to 8 December. Mondays, weekends and Pournami draw the biggest crowds, so a Tuesday to Thursday visit is likely calmer.
| Date | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Nov 2026Tue | Karthika masam begins | The Telugu Karthika month starts on 10 Nov and ends on 8 Dec 2026. |
| 16 Nov 2026Mon | First Karthika Monday | The first Karthika Somavaram, usually one of the busiest days at Srisailam. |
| 23 Nov 2026Mon | Second Karthika Monday | The second Karthika Somavaram, the day before Karthika Pournami. |
| 24 Nov 2026Tue | Karthika Pournami | Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 pm on 23 Nov to 8:23 pm on 24 Nov (Hyderabad times). |
| 30 Nov 2026Mon | Third Karthika Monday | The third Karthika Somavaram. |
| 7 Dec 2026Mon | Last Karthika Monday | The last Karthika Somavaram, which this year is also Masa Shivaratri. |
Sources: drikpanchang.com, hindutone.com, drikpanchang.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Before you go
- Good to knowExpect very long queues on peak days. On the first Karthika Monday of 2025, free darshan took six to seven hours and special darshan four to five.
- BookingDo not plan on sparsha darshan or garbhalaya abhishekam on Karthika peak days. In 2025 the temple suspended both on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Ekadashi and Pournami.
- SafetyWeekend traffic backs up on the ghat road in Karthika, and the forest road from Hyderabad closes at night. Arrive before dark.
- OfficialSrisaila Devasthanam, official website and booking
- OfficialAP Endowments department, temple services portal (Official)
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: deccanchronicle.com, deccanchronicle.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Questions Families Ask
When does Karthika masam start in 2026?
On 10 November 2026, and it ends on 8 December. Karthika Pournami falls on 24 November.
Which are the Karthika Mondays in 2026?
16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December 2026. These are among the busiest days at Srisailam.
Is sparsha darshan allowed at Srisailam in Karthika?
Not on peak days. In 2025 the temple suspended it on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Ekadashi and Pournami. The 2026 rule was not yet announced on 30 Oct.
How long is the darshan wait in Karthika?
On the first Karthika Monday of 2025, free darshan took six to seven hours and special darshan four to five.
Plan your trip for Karthika masam at Srisailam
Opens with this temple already added. See each day with darshan hours, drive times and rough costs.
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