Srisailam Karthika Masam 2026: Jwalatoranam, Deepotsavam
Srisailam Karthika Masam 2026: Jwala Thoranam on Pournami 24 Nov, Laksha Deepotsavam, Sparsha darshan rules, ghat road timings, stay and route from Hyderabad.
Srisailam is one of the busiest temples in India during Karthika Masam, when lamps, Monday queues and the Pournami flame ceremony draw very large crowds. This guide covers the 2026 dates, what Jwala Thoranam and the Laksha Deepotsavam are, how darshan rules usually change in the month, how to reach the temple and how to book without being cheated. We checked reports from the last five years and the latest notices on 31 October 2026, and we say clearly what is not yet announced.
Quick Answer: Srisailam in Karthika Masam 2026
Karthika Masam 2026 runs from 10 November to 8 December. Srisailam's Karthika Pournami is on Tuesday 24 November, when the Jwala Thoranam flame ceremony and the lamp floating at Pathala Ganga usually take place in the evening. The Devasthanam had not published its 2026 Karthika programme when we checked, so treat event timings as expected, not confirmed.
| Item | 2026 date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Karthika Masam begins | Tue 10 Nov | Calendar date |
| Karthika Somavarams (Mondays) | 16, 23 and 30 Nov, 7 Dec | Calendar date |
| Karthika Pournami (Purnima tithi) | 23 Nov, 11:42 PM to 24 Nov, 8:23 PM IST | Calendar date |
| Jwala Thoranam | Expected on the evening of Tue 24 Nov | Expected from past years, not announced |
| Laksha Deepotsavam and Pushkarini Harathi | Expected on a Monday and on Pournami | Expected from past years, not announced |
| Karthika Masa Shivaratri | Mon 7 Dec | Calendar date |
| Karthika Amavasya, month ends | Tue 8 Dec | Calendar date |
| Sparsha darshan rule from 3 Aug 2026 | Not given in the morning or afternoon on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays; available at night | Reported by Deccan Chronicle, 3 Aug 2026 |
Dates follow the Hyderabad panchang based on Drik Panchang. The 2025 and earlier details below come from news reports of those years. They show the usual pattern, but the Devasthanam can change any of it for 2026.
What Makes Srisailam Special in Karthika Masam
Srisailam is the temple of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy, on the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh. It is counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas, and the Bhramaramba shrine is counted among the 18 Shakti Peethas. That combination, a Shiva linga and a Shakti Peetha in one complex, is why Telugu families treat Srisailam as the first choice in Karthika Masam. Mondays and Pournami are the days for Shiva worship, lamps and a bath at Pathala Ganga before darshan.
Jwala Thoranam at Srisailam: What It Is and When
Jwala Thoranam is a flame arch lit at the Srisailam temple on the evening of Karthika Pournami. Reports from 2020 describe it as held in the main temple late on the evening of Pournami, and reports from 2023 and 2025 list it among the main events of the month. It is expected on the evening of Tuesday 24 November 2026, when Pournami is on and the tithi ends at 8:23 PM IST.
| Year | Pournami date | What was reported |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 29 Nov | Jwala Thoranam in the main temple on Sunday evening. About 1 lakh lamps floated at Pathala Ganga. More than a lakh pilgrims were reported. Waits were 4 to 5 hours for general darshan |
| 2023 | 27 Nov | Jwala Thoranam and Punya Nadi Harati listed among the events of the month |
| 2025 | 5 Nov | Karthika Deepotsavam at North Mada Street and Gangadhara Mandapam, Laksha Kumkumarchana, Jwala Thoranam and Unjal Seva. About 1 lakh lamps floated at Pathala Ganga during the Maha Mangala Harathi |
| 2026 | 24 Nov | Programme not announced when we checked on 31 Oct |
Do not rely on a guide that gives an exact Jwala Thoranam time for 2026. We found none from the Devasthanam. The time is set by the temple on the day, so ask at the Temple Information Centre or watch the Devasthanam notice.
How to Plan to See Jwala Thoranam
- Reach Srisailam on 23 November or early on 24 November. Driving in on the afternoon of Pournami is risky because of ghat road traffic.
- Book a room before you travel. Rooms near the temple fill up first for 23 and 24 November.
- Expect the main queue to be long. In 2025 regular darshan took 7 to 8 hours and special darshan 4 to 5 hours on Pournami.
- Keep the evening free for the temple area and Pathala Ganga rather than a fixed sightseeing plan.
- Keep water, a torch and a light bag, and stay with your group.
Laksha Deepotsavam and Pushkarini Harathi
The Laksha Deepotsavam is a mass lamp lighting. In 2025 the Devasthanam held a Laksha Deepotsavam and Pushkarini Harathi at the temple's Pushkarini (sacred pond) on the first Monday of Karthika Masam. The utsava murthis of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba Devi were brought to the Pushkarini, and thousands of oil lamps were lit around it.
The Pushkarini Harathi has ten forms: Omkara, Naga, Trishula, Nandi, Simha, Surya, Chandra, Kumbha, Nakshatra and Karpura. If the Devasthanam repeats this in 2026, the first Monday is 16 November. That is an expectation from last year, not an announcement.
A different lamp event takes place at Pathala Ganga on Pournami. Devotees take a bath, and lamps are floated in the Krishna river while the Maha Mangala Harathi is offered. Reports give about 1 lakh lamps in both 2020 and 2025.
Other Karthika Events at the Temple
- Karthika Deepotsavam: held at North Mada Street and Gangadhara Mandapam in 2025.
- Laksha Kumkumarchana: worship of the goddess with kumkum, reported on Pournami 2025.
- Unjal Seva: the swing service for the deities, reported on Pournami 2025.
- Rituals at the five ancient mutts: Ghantamatham, Bhimashankara, Vibhuti, Rudraksha and Sarangadhara had special rituals and abhishekams around the last Monday in 2025.
- Free food: the Devasthanam serves free meals under its Saswatha Annadanam scheme, and queue complexes provided water, milk and light food in past Karthika seasons.
Srisailam Darshan in Karthika Masam: Types, Prices and Rules
Free general darshan, the Seeghra darshan at Rs 150 and the Athi Seeghra darshan at about Rs 300 are the main routes into the temple, and Sparsha darshan, the touch darshan of the linga, costs about Rs 500. Prices below are reported figures. Confirm them on the Devasthanam site before you pay.
| Darshan | Reported price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Sarva (general) | Free | Main queue. Weekend waits of 4 to 8 hours have been reported |
| Seeghra | Rs 150 | Faster queue. In 2023 it covered Alankara darshan only |
| Athi Seeghra | About Rs 300 (some guides say up to Rs 500) | Faster still, Alankara darshan only |
| Sparsha | About Rs 500 per person | Touch darshan of the Jyotirlinga, with a dress code and limited slots |
| Protocol (VIP) darshan | No ticket | Needs an official recommendation letter sent to the temple at least two days ahead |
Sparsha Darshan Rule from August 2026
As reported on 3 August 2026, Sparsha darshan is not given in the morning or afternoon on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. It is still available at night on those days. On other days it continues in the existing three slots. This applies all year, and Karthika may add more limits.
What Changed in Karthika Masam in Earlier Years
- 2023: Garbhalaya and Samuhika Arjitha Abhishekams were stopped for the entire month. Free Sparsha darshan was stopped on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
- 2025: Sparsha darshan was reported to be given only from Tuesday to Friday early in the month. Later, Sparsha darshan and arjitha abhishekams were suspended on Karthika Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Ekadashi and Pournami.
- 2025 timings reported by the Executive Officer: doors open at 3 AM, darshan from 4:30 AM to 4 PM and from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM on the busiest days.
If the 2025 pattern repeats in 2026, these are the days when Sparsha darshan and arjitha abhishekams may be suspended:
| Day type | 2026 dates | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Saturdays | 14, 21 and 28 Nov, 5 Dec | Karthika Saturday |
| Sundays | 15, 22 and 29 Nov, 6 Dec | Karthika Sunday |
| Mondays | 16, 23 and 30 Nov, 7 Dec | Karthika Somavaram |
| Ekadashi | 20 and 21 Nov, 4 Dec | Prabodhini and Utpanna Ekadashi |
| Pournami | 24 Nov | Karthika Pournami |
This table is our reading of last year's pattern. The Devasthanam may announce different dates, so do not plan a trip around a Sparsha ticket without checking the notice for your date.
Temple Timings
Normal-day timings differ between guides, with openings at 4:30 AM and closings between 9 PM and 10 PM and a midday break. The only Karthika timing from the temple's Executive Officer is last year's 3 AM opening and the darshan windows above. Ask the Temple Information Centre on the day.
How to Book Srisailam Darshan, Seva and Rooms Safely
Book only on the Devasthanam's own website, srisailadevasthanam.org, or at the temple counters. In November 2025 officials warned about fake websites. One fake site posing as a tourism hotel booking page cheated a tourist from Bengaluru of Rs 15,950, who found at the hotel that the receipt was not valid.
- Officials said the temple never asks devotees to transfer money to a personal account through PhonePe or Google Pay. Treat such a request as fraud and report it.
- When we checked on 31 October 2026, srisailamonline.com, which some older guides still list, opened an unrelated gaming page, not the Devasthanam. Do not use it.
- On 30 July 2026 the Endowments Department reportedly restricted the company that ran the temple's online ticketing after glitches, and said booking would resume through a new agency. The booking site or method may therefore differ from older guides. Confirm on the official site.
- Temple Information Centre numbers given by officials in November 2025: 83339 01351, 83339 01352 and 83339 01353.
- Do not pay agents who promise a fixed darshan time, a Sparsha slot or a room by phone.
We do not sell darshan, abhishekam or seva tickets. Book them only on the official site or at the temple.
Best Day to Visit Srisailam in Karthika Masam 2026
The calmest days are Tuesday to Thursday, outside Ekadashi and Pournami. The busiest are the four Mondays, the weekends and 23 and 24 November.
| Dates | Crowd (our planning estimate) | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 13 Nov (Tue to Fri) | Lower | Good for families with elders. Nagula Chavithi on 13 Nov |
| 14 to 16 Nov (Sat to Mon) | Very high | Karthika Saturday, Sunday and the first Somavaram |
| 17 to 19 Nov (Tue to Thu) | Lower | Best window of the first half |
| 20 to 21 Nov | High | Ekadashi and Tulasi Vivah, with weekend traffic on 21 Nov |
| 22 to 24 Nov | Highest | Sunday, Somavaram with Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, then Pournami |
| 25 to 27 Nov (Wed to Fri) | Lower | Calm after Pournami, a good time for a first visit |
| 28 Nov to 1 Dec | Very high | Weekend and third Somavaram |
| 2 to 3 Dec | Lower | Midweek window |
| 4 to 8 Dec | High | Utpanna Ekadashi, weekend, fourth Somavaram with Masa Shivaratri, then Amavasya |
This is our own estimate from the calendar and the 2023 and 2025 reports. It is not an official forecast.
How to Reach Srisailam: Distance, Road and Timings
Srisailam is about 213 km from Hyderabad by road via NH765, and the drive takes roughly 5 hours, or more in rain and traffic. The last stretch of about 75 km runs through the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, a single carriageway with blind bends and slow limits.
| From | Road distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | About 213 km | About 5 hours. TSRTC buses from MGBS, first around 3:30 AM |
| Kurnool | About 180 km | |
| Vijayawada | About 250 to 265 km | Sources differ |
| Tirupati | About 389 km | Better as a two day trip |
| Bengaluru | About 533 km | Better as a two day trip |
| Markapur Road railway station | About 85 km | Nearest station. Srisailam has no railway station |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad | About 200 to 217 km | Nearest major airport |
Night Road Restriction and Fuel
- One 2026 guide reports checkposts at Mannanur, about 75 km before Srisailam, and at Domalapenta, about 25 km before it, that close to private vehicles from 9 PM to 6 AM. Other guides also say the forest road is closed at night. Confirm before you travel.
- Leave Hyderabad by 5 AM to reach comfortably in daylight. A start after 5 PM is risky.
- Fill fuel at Achampet or Mannanur. The same guide says there is no fuel inside the forest section.
- Leave Srisailam by 3 PM for the return.
- On Karthika weekends and festival days, queues of vehicles on the ghat road are common. In 2023 a 5 km queue was reported.
Our cab service and round trip plans avoid night driving and agree the pickup time in writing.
Srisailam Karthika Trip Plan: Two Days from Hyderabad
Two days with one night in Srisailam is the practical plan. A same-day return is possible but long, and the night restriction on the forest road makes a late start risky.
| Time | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | Leave Hyderabad | Suprabhatam or morning harathi if allowed |
| 8:30 AM | Cross Mannanur | Ropeway to Pathala Ganga for a bath and rituals |
| 10:30 AM | Reach Srisailam and check in | Return to the rooms, breakfast |
| 11:30 AM | Darshan with a Seeghra ticket where available | Optional boat to Akka Mahadevi caves if running |
| 4:30 PM | Sakshi Ganapati and Hatakeswaram | Leave by 3 PM at the latest |
| Evening | Temple area, lamps, evening harathi | Reach Hyderabad by about 9 PM |
Keep the Pournami plan separate. On 24 November the temple is far more crowded and the Pathala Ganga area is the main focus, so arrive a day earlier, as in the section above.
What to See Around Srisailam
| Place | What to know |
|---|---|
| Pathala Ganga | The Krishna river ghat below the temple, reached by ropeway. Ropeway timing is reported as 7 AM to 7 PM, a ride of about 5 minutes each way. Fares are reported between Rs 60 and Rs 150, paid at the counter. There is also a long staircase (about 850 steps are reported) |
| Akka Mahadevi Caves | Reached only by boat, about 18 km and 1 hour 15 minutes each way. Reported fare is about Rs 400 round trip. Boats need a minimum number of passengers and depend on water level, so check at the Pathala Ganga counter. The cave is dark, so carry a torch |
| Sakshi Ganapati | A Ganapati temple on the way, traditionally visited to complete a Srisailam trip |
| Hatakeswaram | Shiva temple near the town, usually combined with Sakshi Ganapati |
| Srisailam Dam | Viewpoint area on the way, seen from the road |
| Amrabad Tiger Reserve | About 90 km away, with jeep safaris to Farahabad and Octopus View |
| Alampur | About 90 km away, home to the Jogulamba Shakti Peetha |
Mahanandi, Yaganti and Mantralayam also hold Karthika lamp events in the Kurnool and Nandyal region. In 2025 nearly one lakh lamps were reported around the Mahanandi temple, and Yaganti and Mantralayam held Deepotsavam on the Tungabhadra river bank.
Where to Stay in Srisailam in Karthika Masam
Devasthanam rooms at Ganga Sadan and Gowri Sadan are the most common choice for families. A late 2026 guide reports non-AC rooms from about Rs 400 and AC rooms from about Rs 700 a night, with dormitory halls also available. Ganga Sadan is about 800 m from the temple and Gowri Sadan about 1 km.
- Book rooms on the official Devasthanam site and carry a printed receipt. Rooms are allotted at the Central Reception Office.
- There are also private choultries and satrams, and the tourism department also has guest houses.
- Book weeks ahead for Mondays, weekends and 23 and 24 November.
- Carry a photo ID for every guest.
Through our hotel booking we can book a hotel in or near Srisailam if Devasthanam rooms are full. We confirm the room, the dates and the cancellation terms in writing.
Dress Code, ID and Rules at the Temple
- Wear traditional or modest clothing. Sparsha darshan has a stricter dress code, so check the ticket page.
- Carry a government photo ID. Overseas visitors should carry a passport or OCI card.
- Photography inside the temple has been reported as prohibited. Follow the staff.
- Carry bilva leaves, a small lamp, flowers and a coconut only where the temple allows them.
- Buy prasadam, including the laddu, only at official counters.
Visiting with Elders, Children or Health Conditions
Queues of 7 to 8 hours have been reported on Pournami, so plan carefully with elders and children. Choose a calmer weekday, carry water and a light snack, and use the Seeghra or Athi Seeghra ticket where available. Ask a doctor before a long fast if you are elderly, pregnant, diabetic or on regular medicine, and do not stop medicines for a vrat.
Srisailam Karthika Trip from Abroad
Many NRI families visit Srisailam in Karthika Masam. Citizens of many countries can apply for an e-Tourist Visa on indianvisaonline.gov.in, the official portal. Apply at least four days before you fly and check the fee table, since fees change. OCI card holders do not need a tourist visa. Fly into Hyderabad, which is the main airport for Srisailam, and keep the first night for rest. The forest road closes at night, so a late evening landing means staying in Hyderabad.
Read how we handle everything after you land, see the 5 day NRI itinerary, or our guides for travellers from the USA, Canada, London and Melbourne.
Kartik Festivals Elsewhere in India
If your family follows the North Indian Kartik calendar, the main night is also 24 November. See our guides to Kartik Maas in Ayodhya, Dev Deepawali in Varanasi and the best places to celebrate Diwali.
Plan Your Srisailam Trip with Your Travel Partner
Your Travel Partner is a travel company based in Ayodhya that arranges trips across India for families and groups from every state and from other countries. For Srisailam we plan the road and the stay around your darshan, from the arrival airport or railway station to the temple town.
- Cab or Tempo Traveller from Hyderabad, Kurnool, Vijayawada, Tirupati or any city to Srisailam: cab service, intercity and round trip.
- Pickup from the airport or the railway station for a family with elders.
- Rooms in Srisailam or a stop in Hyderabad through our hotel booking.
- Srisailam with Mahanandi, Alampur or Tirupati as a multi-day custom package.
- Send your dates, city and group size on WhatsApp or through the enquiry form.
We do not sell darshan, abhishekam or seva tickets, so book them on the Devasthanam site or at the temple. See the packages page, read our reviews, learn about us or check the cancellation policy before you book.
Common Mistakes at Srisailam in Karthika Masam
- Planning a Sparsha ticket for a Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Ekadashi or Pournami without checking the notice.
- Starting from Hyderabad late in the day and meeting the closed forest road.
- Booking on a lookalike website or paying a personal account.
- Visiting on 23 or 24 November without a room.
- Expecting an exact Jwala Thoranam time that the temple has not announced.
- Skipping the planned mid-afternoon return and driving the ghat after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Karthika Pournami at Srisailam in 2026?
Karthika Pournami is on Tuesday 24 November 2026. The Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM IST on 23 November to 8:23 PM IST on 24 November.
What is Jwala Thoranam at Srisailam?
Jwala Thoranam is a flame arch lit at the Srisailam temple on the evening of Karthika Pournami. It is expected on 24 November 2026, but the Devasthanam had not announced the programme when we checked.
What is the Laksha Deepotsavam at Srisailam?
It is a mass lamp lighting at the temple's Pushkarini. In 2025 the Devasthanam held it with a Pushkarini Harathi on the first Monday of Karthika Masam, with thousands of oil lamps lit around the pond.
When does Karthika Masam start and end in 2026?
Karthika Masam 2026 starts on Tuesday 10 November and ends on Tuesday 8 December. The four Somavarams are 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December.
Is Sparsha darshan available at Srisailam in Karthika Masam?
Not on every day. As reported on 3 August 2026, it is not given in the morning or afternoon on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, though it is available at night. In 2025 it was also suspended on Ekadashi and Pournami, so check the notice for your date.
How much is darshan at Srisailam?
General darshan is free. Reported prices are Rs 150 for Seeghra darshan, about Rs 300 for Athi Seeghra and about Rs 500 for Sparsha darshan. Confirm prices on the official Devasthanam website.
What is the official Srisailam temple website?
The Devasthanam booking site is srisailadevasthanam.org. Some older guides list srisailamonline.com, which opened an unrelated gaming page when we checked on 31 October 2026.
How far is Srisailam from Hyderabad?
Srisailam is about 213 km from Hyderabad via NH765, a drive of roughly 5 hours. The last 75 km runs through the Amrabad Tiger Reserve on a single carriageway.
Is the Srisailam ghat road closed at night?
One 2026 guide reports that the Mannanur and Domalapenta checkposts close to private vehicles from 9 PM to 6 AM. Plan to reach Srisailam in daylight and confirm before you travel.
What is the best day to visit Srisailam in Karthika Masam?
A Tuesday to Thursday outside Ekadashi and Pournami is calmest, for example 17 to 19 November or 25 to 27 November. Mondays, weekends and 23 and 24 November are the busiest.
How long is the queue at Srisailam on Karthika Pournami?
In 2025 regular darshan took about 7 to 8 hours and special darshan about 4 to 5 hours on Pournami. Waits in 2026 may differ.
Where can I stay at Srisailam during Karthika Masam?
Devasthanam rooms at Ganga Sadan and Gowri Sadan are common, with non-AC rooms reported from about Rs 400 and AC rooms from about Rs 700 a night. Private choultries and hotels are also available, and rooms fill up first for Mondays and Pournami.
Is there a train to Srisailam?
No. Srisailam has no railway station. The nearest is Markapur Road, about 85 km away, and most pilgrims take the road from Hyderabad or Kurnool.
Can NRIs and visitors from abroad visit Srisailam in Karthika Masam?
Yes. Carry a passport or OCI card as ID. Citizens of many countries can apply for an e-Tourist Visa on the official portal, and OCI card holders do not need a tourist visa. Fly into Hyderabad and travel to Srisailam in daylight.
Can Your Travel Partner arrange my Srisailam trip from another city or country?
Yes. We plan cabs, pickups, hotels and multi-day routes for travellers from any Indian city and from abroad. We do not sell darshan or seva tickets, which you book on the temple's official channels.
Conclusion
Srisailam in Karthika Masam 2026 means Mondays on 16, 23 and 30 November and 7 December, and Pournami on 24 November. Book rooms early, check the Devasthanam notice for Sparsha darshan and pay only on the official site. Travel in daylight and pick a Tuesday to Thursday if you can. For help with the road and stay, message us on WhatsApp with your city and dates.
Sources
- Srisailam Devasthanam official website
- Deccan Chronicle: Sea of lamps marks Karthika Pournami at Srisailam (5 Nov 2025)
- Deccan Chronicle: Heavy rush at Srisailam as Karthika Masam draws to a close (16 Nov 2025)
- Deccan Chronicle: Srisailam revises darshan timings (3 Aug 2026)
- Deccan Chronicle: Beware of fake temple websites (24 Nov 2025)
- Deccan Chronicle: Fake website troubles Srisailam devotees (23 Nov 2025)
- Deccan Chronicle: Srisailam online ticket booking disrupted (30 Jul 2026)
- The Hans India: Fervour marks Jwala Thoranam in Srisailam (30 Nov 2020)
- The Hans India: Sacred Laksha Deepotsavam held at Srisailam (28 Oct 2025)
- The Hans India: All set for Karthika Masotsavams at Srisailam (14 Nov 2023)
- TripSaffron: Srisailam from Hyderabad, route and ghat timings
- Yatradham: how to reach Srisailam
- Yatradham: Srisailam temple timings and booking
- Telangana360: Srisailam temple
- HinduTone: Karthika Masam 2026 temple news
- Drik Panchang (tithi basis)
- Government of India e-Visa portal
