Masik Karthigai 2026: Dates, Puja Vidhi, Vrat Rules

Masik Karthigai 2026 is a very special year for those devotees who wish to honour every appearance of Karthigai Nakshatra with lamps, worship and remembrance of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan. Whenever the Karthigai or Krittika Nakshatra becomes prominent during the year, lamp offering, abhishek and mantra chanting give the seeker a chance to step out of inner darkness and renew faith. The observance of Masik Karthigai is not treated as a mere ritual. It is seen as a spiritual discipline which purifies the mind, supports the body and fills the home with subtle divine energy.

All Masik Karthigai dates in 2026

Masik Karthigai is observed each Tamil month on the day when Karthigai Nakshatra is active. In 2026 these dates appear at regular intervals through the year and together they create a gentle and steady rhythm of practice for the devotee.

Masik Karthigai 2026 date table

Month	Masik Karthigai 2026 Date	Day
January	27 January 2026	Tuesday
February	23 February 2026	Monday
March	23 March 2026	Monday
April	19 April 2026	Sunday
May	16 May 2026	Saturday
June	13 June 2026	Saturday
July	10 July 2026	Friday
August	7 August 2026	Friday
September	3 September 2026	Thursday
September	30 September 2026	Wednesday
October	27 October 2026	Tuesday
November Karthigai Deepam	24 November 2026	Tuesday
December	21 December 2026	Monday

For each of these dates, the exact start and end of Karthigai Nakshatra should be checked in a regional panchang in order to place the Puja and lighting of lamps at the right time. Within Masik Karthigai 2026, the November observance on 24 November 2026 stands out as Karthigai Deepam, when countless lamps are lit in temples and on hills, especially in Tamil Nadu.

What is Masik Karthigai and which deities are worshipped

Masik Karthigai is the monthly observance carried out whenever Karthigai or Krittika Nakshatra is active. This Nakshatra is closely associated with three divine forms. First, Lord Shiva, whose worship is linked with long life, peace and release from karmic burdens. Second, Lord Murugan, also known as Skanda or Kartikeya, who is revered as the commander of the divine forces. Third, Agni Deva, who represents light, purification and the power of transformation.

In Masik Karthigai, lighting lamps becomes the central act of worship. Through these lamps the devotee contemplates the victory of light over darkness, the removal of negativity, the dispersal of inner confusion and the assurance of divine protection. Karthigai Nakshatra is believed to help in the reduction of sins, the healing of emotional wounds and the strengthening of bonds within the family.

Masik Karthigai in the Hindu tradition

In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Masik Karthigai is an integral part of devotional life.

Within the Shaiva tradition, the day is dedicated to the earnest worship of Lord Shiva. Oil lamps, ghee lamps, aarti, Rudra Abhishekam and deepa puja are offered at Shivalaya shrines. Water, milk and bel leaves are offered to the Shiva Linga with humility. It is believed that the Puja done on Karthigai Nakshatra brings longevity, inner peace and relief from karmic suffering.

For followers of Murugan, the day belongs especially to Lord Murugan. Devotees pray for the removal of obstacles, protection from enemies, mental strength, courage and success. In temples, abhishek is performed on Murugan vigrahas, with flowers, sandal paste and special aarti.

At the annual level, the great festival of Karthigai Deepam in the Tamil month of Karthigai, which will occur on 24 November 2026, can be seen as the most exalted expression of the same spirit, with hills and temples illuminated by seas of sacred lamps.

Spiritual significance of Masik Karthigai 2026

Masik Karthigai 2026 is more than a list of dates in a calendar. It offers repeated opportunities throughout the year to bring balance and clarity into many dimensions of life.

Lighting lamps on this day is associated with burning away ill will, evil eye, negative influence and the darkness of ignorance. Through the grace of Lord Murugan, the devotee seeks protection from obstacles, a reduction in fear and fresh energy to move forward. At the level of family life, the festival is known to support harmony, mutual respect and emotional closeness, since the rituals of lamp lighting, Puja and bhajan are often carried out together by the household. Worship of Lord Shiva on Masik Karthigai is linked with mental calm, reduced stress and a gentle distancing from harmful patterns of thought. At the same time the offering of lamps is treated as a way of inviting prosperity, stability and ancestral blessings into the home.

Who benefits especially from Masik Karthigai 2026

Although anyone may observe Masik Karthigai, certain groups may find the practice particularly supportive in 2026.

For families and women the vrat can be observed for peace in the home, protection of children, marital harmony and blessings related to fertility. For students, Karthigai Nakshatra sadhana is seen as helpful for concentration, intelligence and progress in studies. Those engaged in jobs or business may observe Masik Karthigai for stability in career, success in overcoming challenges and growth in their chosen field.

People facing health concerns, stress, depression, family disputes or financial problems can use Masik Karthigai 2026 as a regular anchor. The combination of lamp lighting, Puja and mantra repetition can become a quiet source of strength and inner support.

How to perform Masik Karthigai Puja in 2026

The Puja Vidhi of Masik Karthigai is dignified yet simple. Lamps form the heart of the observance, so cleanliness of the house and Puja space is given special importance.

A practical Puja sequence for Masik Karthigai 2026 may be arranged as follows.

1. Rise early, bathe and wear clean traditional clothes.
2. Carefully clean the Puja area and the main entrance, sprinkle water and create a sense of sacredness.
3. Sit before the lamps or deities and take a sankalp, a conscious vow to observe the Puja with sincerity during that day.
4. Prepare the lamps. Take clay, brass or silver lamps, fill them with sesame oil or ghee and place cotton wicks. Lighting multiple lamps is considered auspicious.
5. Arrange the Puja items. Keep an image or idol of Lord Shiva or Lord Murugan, flowers, fruits, kumkum, turmeric, incense sticks, naivedya and the lamps.
6. For Lord Shiva, offer water and bel leaves. Chant Om Namah Shivaya, which means "salutations to Shiva" and if possible recite Rudra mantras.
7. For Lord Murugan, offer sandal paste and flowers. Recite Subramanya or Skanda stotras and chant Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, meaning "salutations to the Lord who arose in the lake of reeds".
8. Light the lamps one by one and place them at the entrance, in the Puja room and at meaningful places in the house. This lighting is the central act of Masik Karthigai.
9. Perform aarti to Shiva or Murugan, ring a bell and pray quietly for guidance and protection.

In some homes at least one lamp is kept burning through the night as a sign of unbroken divine presence, although this is treated as an optional extension rather than a fixed rule.

Vrat rules for Masik Karthigai 2026

The fast of Masik Karthigai is optional, yet many devotees choose to observe it for deeper focus.

Those who keep the fast may take milk, fruits, coconut, dry fruits, sabudana preparations, curd and simple dishes made with rock salt. Foods that are best avoided include onion, garlic, non vegetarian items, alcohol, grains for those observing a strict fast and very spicy or heavily fried dishes. Many devotees refrain from grains altogether and follow a fruit based or light sattvic diet while spending more time in worship and reflection. The fast is usually broken after sunset or after the completion of the evening Puja with plain sattvic food.

A brief indication of the Masik Karthigai katha

One traditional account tells that at a certain time great darkness and unrest spread over the earth due to the actions of a powerful asura. The devas, unable to find relief, turned to Lord Shiva in prayer. From the forehead of Shiva there arose a divine flame, a spark of intense purifying fire. From this sacred fire was born Lord Murugan, who later came to be hailed as the commander of the divine forces and the destroyer of hostile powers.

To welcome him, the devas lit countless lamps throughout the heavenly regions. These lamps came to symbolise the victory of light, the end of evil and the return of peace. In remembrance of this, devotees light lamps on the day of Karthigai and in Masik Karthigai they draw upon the same current of grace from Shiva and Murugan.

Which mantras to chant on Masik Karthigai

On Masik Karthigai 2026 devotees may chant some simple mantras with understanding of their meaning.

For Lord Shiva, Om Namah Shivaya is the most widely known mantra, expressing "salutations to Shiva". It is regarded as a support for calming the mind and melting inner fear. For Lord Murugan, devotees may chant Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, which offers reverence to the Lord who manifested in the sacred lake of reeds. At the time of lighting lamps, many also recite Om Deepajyotir Namostute, meaning "salutations to the light of the lamp". Where time allows, each of these mantras may be chanted 108 times, which is considered especially auspicious.

Main benefits of observing Masik Karthigai 2026

Masik Karthigai 2026 offers repeated chances through the year to invite positive change and strength into daily life.

Through the grace of Lord Murugan, devotees seek freedom from unseen negativity, fear and blocks. The combined Puja and lamp lighting are regarded as helpful for cultivating peace and understanding between husband and wife and for supporting loving communication in the family. Because the element of fire is central, the regular lighting of lamps is believed to create a more sattvic and pure atmosphere in the home, which can indirectly support health and vitality. At the level of finances and responsibilities, Masik Karthigai practice is linked with stability, wise decisions and steady growth over time.

For parents who worry about the safety and future of their children, this vrat offers a gentle way to place those concerns in the hands of Shiva and Murugan. Simple practices such as meditation, mantra chanting and quiet lamp gazing can also bring deep calm to the mind of the devotee.

Importance of charity and service on Masik Karthigai 2026

After the Puja of Masik Karthigai, sharing prasad and offering help to those in need is seen as a natural extension of the worship. Many devotees donate oil for lamps, food, clothes or money to poorer families, temples or spiritual centres. Feeding cows or birds is another form of seva often linked with this day.

In some homes there is a gentle tradition that at least one lamp should remain lit through the night on Masik Karthigai, while family members quietly resolve to recognise and transform some inner darkness during the coming month. Approached in this way, Masik Karthigai 2026 becomes not just a set of monthly rituals but a path of self development, service and remembrance of the divine throughout the year.

Common questions

How many Masik Karthigai dates are there in 2026 and does the Karthigai Deepam day count among them In 2026 there are thirteen Masik Karthigai dates from January to December and the observance on 24 November 2026 is celebrated in an especially grand way as Karthigai Deepam.

For whom is Masik Karthigai 2026 especially beneficial The vrat can be valuable for families and women seeking peace at home, for students who wish to improve focus and success, for professionals aiming at stability and growth and for anyone facing health, emotional or financial challenges.

What role do lamps play in Masik Karthigai Puja In Masik Karthigai, lamps made of clay, brass or silver, filled with oil or ghee, form the heart of the Puja. They are lit at the doorway, in the Puja room and at key places in the house as symbols of the removal of darkness and negativity.

Is it necessary for everyone to give up grains while fasting on Masik Karthigai in 2026 Fasting rules depend on individual capacity and family tradition. In general it is recommended to avoid onion, garlic, non vegetarian food and very oily or spicy dishes. Those who keep a stricter fast may drop grains and live on fruits, milk and light sattvic vrat food for the day.

How can Masik Karthigai 2026 be made more meaningful in daily life Masik Karthigai 2026 becomes especially meaningful when lamp lighting and mantra chanting are combined with a quiet resolve to dedicate some time each month to self reflection, service and gentle conversation within the family. In this way the vrat supports mental peace, spiritual progress and balanced relationships throughout the year.