Masik Karthigai will be observed on 13 June 2026, Saturday. This sacred day falls when Krittika (Karthigai) Nakshatra is in effect and is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiv and Bhagwan Murugan (Kartikeya).
Karthigai Nakshatra starts at 04:05 AM on June 13, 2026
Karthigai Nakshatra ends at 01:16 AM on June 14, 2026
Auspicious time for puja starts at 06:00 PM and ends at 08:00 PM
Masik Karthigai is a special day for devotees of Bhagwan Shiv and Bhagwan Murugan. While Karthigai Deepam is celebrated once a year, this monthly observance gives devotees a chance to strengthen their bond with Bhagwan Shiv and Bhagwan Murugan.
Lighting diyas is one of the most important traditions of this day. Many devotees light lamps in their homes and temples and pray for peace, happiness, and well-being of their family. Devotees also offer prayers to Bhagwan Murugan and seek his blessings for courage, wisdom, good health, and success.
There are two popular stories that are remembered on Masik Karthigai.
According to one legend, Bhagwan Murugan was born from six sacred sparks that came from the third eye of Bhagwan Shiv. These sparks later became six baby boys. They were lovingly cared for by six Karthigai maidens.
When Maa Parvati saw the six children, she gathered them in her arms with great love. By her divine grace, the six babies became one child with six faces. This child was Bhagwan Murugan.
As Bhagwan Murugan grew up, he became known for his courage, wisdom, and devotion. Even today, devotees worship him on Karthigai and pray for strength, good health, wisdom, and success in life.
Another popular story is connected with Bhagwan Shiv. It is said that Bhagwan Brahma and Bhagwan Vishnu once began arguing about who was greater. To teach them an important lesson, Bhagwan Shiv appeared in the form of a huge pillar of light.
The light stretched endlessly towards the sky and deep into the earth. Bhagwan Vishnu searched for its end below, while Bhagwan Brahma searched for its end above. They searched for a long time but could not find where the light began or where it ended.
They then realised that the power of Bhagwan Mahadev is endless and beyond all limits. From that day onwards, devotees began worshipping Bhagwan Shiv in the form of divine light. This is why lamps are lit on Masik Karthigai. As devotees light diyas and offer prayers, they pray that Bhagwan Shiv fills their homes with peace, happiness, and devotion.
What Devotees Do on Masik Karthigai?
On Masik Karthigai, devotees wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and wear clean clothes before beginning the vrat. Many people keep a strict nirjala vrat, while others consume fruits, milk, and simple sattvic food.
Throughout the day, devotees worship Bhagwan Shiv and Bhagwan Murugan with flowers, fruits, incense, and diyas. Many devotees spend time chanting "Om Namah Shivaya", "Om Saravanabhavaya Namah", or listening to Bhagwan Shiv bhajans with devotion.
Families clean their homes and prepare for the evening lamp-lighting rituals. Around sunset, they light diyas inside and outside the house.
Wake up early
Take a bath and wear clean clothes
Clean the puja area
Place an image or idol of Bhagwan Shiv and Bhagwan Murugan
Light a diya using ghee or sesame oil
Offer Ganga jal, panchamrit, bilva leaves, flowers, and fruits
Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” or recite “Om Saravanabhavaya Namah”
Light diyas around the home during the evening
End the puja by doing aarti
No. While many devotees observe a vrat on this day, some simply offer prayers, light diyas, and worship Bhagwan Shiv and Bhagwan Murugan with devotion. You should observe the vrat according to their health and circumstances.
It is believed that the light of the lamp invites peace, positivity, and divine blessings into the home.
Many devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya" for Bhagwan Shiv and "Om Saravanabhavaya Namah" for Bhagwan Murugan.
No. Though this sacred day is especially popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, devotees of Bhagwan Shiv and Bhagwan Murugan from different parts of India also observe this sacred day with devotion.