Quick answer

The first day of Karthika Masam 2026 is Tuesday 10 November for Telugu and Kannada devotees in Australia, and the month runs until Karthika Amavasya on Tuesday 8 December. Karthika Pournami is Tuesday 24 November; the Karthika Somavaram Mondays are 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December. In Australia, 10 November is also Govardhan Puja, two days after Diwali (Sunday 8 November). Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, everything falls about three weeks later than last year.

Beginning Karthika Masam with temple darshan sets the tone for the whole month. Australia has many traditional temples, from large Agamic complexes to small community mandirs, so most devotees can find a Shiva, Vishnu or Murugan shrine within reach. This guide lists well-established temples city by city and explains how to begin the month.

Why visit a temple on the first day?

  • Sankalpa: devotees take a vow for the month, such as daily lamp-lighting, a sattvic diet or Monday fasts.
  • Deepam: the custom of lighting a lamp morning and evening begins on day one and continues for thirty days.
  • Darshan of Shiva and Vishnu: Karthika is dear to both, and many Australian temples house both deities.
  • Community: the first day is a good time to collect the temple's programme for the month.

Traditional first-day routine

  • Wake in Brahma Muhurta, before sunrise.
  • Bathe, adding a few tulsi leaves or sesame seeds to the water if you wish, and wear clean traditional clothes.
  • Light a lamp at your home altar, offer prayers to the tulsi plant and take your sankalpa.
  • Visit the temple for morning darshan or abhishekam, offer flowers and fruit, light a deepam and do pradakshina.
  • Receive prasadam and note the month's special programmes.

Melbourne, Victoria

Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, Carrum Downs

One of the largest Hindu temples in the Southern Hemisphere, built in the Dravidian style and consecrated in 1994. With Shiva and Vishnu as presiding deities, plus shrines for Ambal, Ganapathy, Subramaniam, Mahalakshmi, Andal, Rama and Hanuman, it is the natural place to begin Karthika Masam in Melbourne. It is in the south-eastern suburbs, about an hour from the CBD by car.

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Sri Vakratunda Vinayaka Temple, The Basin

Melbourne's first traditional Hindu temple, dedicated to Ganesha in the foothills of the Dandenongs. Many devotees begin the month here to ask for obstacles to be removed.

Melbourne Murugan Temple, Sunshine

Karthika is closely linked with Lord Kartikeya, who was raised by the six Krittikas. This temple, dedicated to Murugan with Valli and Devasena, is meaningful for Tamil devotees in the western suburbs.

ISKCON Melbourne, Albert Park, and Durga Temple, Rockbank

Vaishnavas keep Karthika as Damodara month, with nightly lamp offerings and the singing of the Damodarashtakam; ISKCON Albert Park is the main centre in Melbourne. The Durga Temple in Rockbank serves devotees of the Divine Mother in the west.

Sydney, New South Wales

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Helensburgh

Set in bushland south of Sydney, this temple to Lord Venkateswara was one of Australia's first traditional Agamic temples. Its peaceful setting makes it ideal for a quiet first-day darshan. Helensburgh railway station is nearby.

Sydney Murugan Temple, Mays Hill

A prominent temple near Parramatta with a tall gopuram and shrines to Murugan, Vinayagar, the Shivalingam, Parvati, the Navagrahas and Hanuman. Evening deepa aradhana here is popular throughout Karthika.

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Sri Mandir, Auburn

Established in 1977 and often described as Australia's first Hindu temple, Sri Mandir connects devotees with the pioneering generation of Hindu migrants in Sydney.

Mukti-Gupteshwar Mandir, Minto

A Shiva temple in Sydney's south-west, a natural choice for Somavaram abhishekam during the month.

Other Sydney temples

Sri Durga Devi Devasthanam in Regents Park and the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Rosehill also serve large communities.

Brisbane, Queensland

  • Shree Laxminarayan Mandir: Brisbane's well-known Lakshmi-Narayan temple, focal point for many North Indian families.
  • Shree Venkatesa Durga Temple, Kenmore: shrines to Venkateswara, Durga and Ganapathi in a calm western suburb.
  • Sri Selva Vinayakar Temple, South Maclean: a traditional Ganesha temple consecrated in 1995, good for beginning the month.
  • Om Shree Deveshwar Mahadev Shiva Mandir, Newstead: a Shiva temple in a garden setting, part of the Yoga in Daily Life ashram, with a black granite Shivalinga.
  • Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir, North Maclean, and Gayatri Temple, Boondall: community temples known for Ramayan recitals and language classes.

Perth, Western Australia

  • Perth Hindu Temple (Sri Shiva Temple), Canning Vale: built according to the Agamas and run by the Hindu Association of Western Australia; the main place in Perth for Rudrabhishekam during Karthika.
  • Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Bennett Springs: a family-friendly mandir with Gujarati classes and daily aartis.
  • Bala Murugan Temple, Mandogalup: a Murugan temple on high ground south of Perth, reminiscent of Tamil Nadu's hill shrines.

Canberra, ACT

  • Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre, Florey: Canberra's oldest Hindu temple, established in 1987, with a strong focus on families and cultural education.
  • Vishnu Shiva Mandir, Mawson: built according to Shaiva and Vaishnava Agamas, housing Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Murugan, Rama, Venkateswara and Radha Krishna.
  • Canberra Saiva Temple, Torrens: dedicated to Murugan and designed around his six abodes, especially meaningful in Kartikeya's month.
  • ISKCON Canberra, Ainslie: Damodara month offerings, Tulsi worship and discourses.

Adelaide, South Australia

  • Shri Ganesha Temple, Oaklands Park: built in 2001, with shrines to Ganesha, Lakshmi Narayan, Murugan with Valli and Deivanai, the Navagrahas, Hanuman, Bhairava and a Shivalinga.
  • Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Salisbury East: serving Adelaide's Gujarati community.
  • ISKCON Adelaide, Torrensville: Damodara month kirtans and lamp offerings.

Opening hours change, especially around festivals, so check each temple's website or noticeboard for 2026 darshan times and Karthika Masam programmes before you set out.

Key Karthika Masam dates in Australia

Date (2026)Observance
Sun 8 NovDiwali / Lakshmi Puja
Tue 10 NovFirst day of Karthika Masam; Govardhan Puja
Wed 11 NovBhai Dooj
Mon 16, 23, 30 Nov; Mon 7 DecKarthika Somavaram
Sat 21 NovDevutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Sun 22 NovTulasi Vivah
Tue 24 NovKarthika Pournami
Tue 8 DecKarthika Amavasya; month ends

What temples typically offer during the month

  • Morning abhishekam and evening deepa puja, with extra programmes on Mondays for Shiva.
  • Damodara aarti at ISKCON centres every evening.
  • Ekadashi fasting and Vishnu Sahasranama parayanam.
  • On Karthika Pournami: grand lamp-lighting, maha abhishekam, utsavam processions and annadanam.

Programmes differ from temple to temple; check your local temple for its 2026 schedule.

Planning your visit

What to bring

  • Flowers, fruit or a coconut as an offering.
  • Ghee or sesame oil and wicks if the temple allows devotees to light lamps.
  • A mala for japa and a small notebook for the month's programme.

Temple etiquette

  • Remove footwear, dress modestly and keep phones on silent.
  • Avoid leather items and ask before taking photographs.
  • Follow any specific customs, such as men removing shirts before entering certain sanctums.

Families, elders and the weather

November is late spring in Australia and can be warm, so visit in the cooler morning hours, carry water and use sunscreen for outdoor queues. Many temples have step-free access; call ahead if an elderly devotee needs help. Let children light the lamps; it is often the moment they remember most.

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A one-day temple circuit

  • Melbourne: Carrum Downs at opening time, The Basin mid-morning, ISKCON Albert Park in the afternoon.
  • Sydney: Helensburgh early morning, Mays Hill late morning, Sri Mandir Auburn in the afternoon.

If you cannot visit in person

Several larger temples stream daily pujas or offer online archana booking. Light your lamp at home at the same time, take your sankalpa, and plan a visit on the first Somavaram, 16 November.

Frequently asked questions

When does Karthika Masam 2026 begin in Australia?

For Telugu and Kannada devotees (amanta calendar), Karthika Masam begins on Tuesday 10 November 2026, the same day as Govardhan Puja in Australia, and ends with Karthika Amavasya on Tuesday 8 December. It is about three weeks later than last year because 2026 has an extra lunar month.

When is Karthika Pournami 2026 in Australia?

Karthika Pournami (Kartika Purnima) is on Tuesday 24 November 2026, according to Drik Panchang for Australia.

Which are the Karthika Somavaram Mondays in 2026?

Monday 16 November, Monday 23 November, Monday 30 November and Monday 7 December 2026.

Do I need to book anything for the first day?

Darshan is usually free. If you want to sponsor an archana, abhishekam or deepa puja, contact the temple in advance for their 2026 schedule and booking process.

Are Ekadashi and Tulsi Vivah on different dates in Australia?

Yes. Drik Panchang lists Devutthana Ekadashi on Saturday 21 November and Tulasi Vivah on Sunday 22 November for Australia, one day later than in India.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

Updated for 2026 with dates from Drik Panchang for Australia. We have removed last year's dates, along with temple phone numbers, opening hours and sponsorship prices that may have changed. Please confirm 2026 timings directly with each temple.