Karthika Puranam 2026
One chapter a day through Karthika Masam (November 10 – December 8, 2026) — the date to read each of the 30 adhyayas, with a short summary of every story.
Day-wise reading calendar 2026
Day 1 · Tue, Nov 10
Janaka asks about the glory of Karthika
Karthika Masam begins · Bali Padyami
Day 2 · Wed, Nov 11
The glory of the Monday (Somavara) vow
Day 3 · Thu, Nov 12
The glory of the Karthika bath
Day 4 · Fri, Nov 13
The glory of lighting lamps (Deeparadhana)
Nagula Chavithi
Day 5 · Sat, Nov 14
The glory of Vana Bhojanam
Day 6 · Sun, Nov 15
How to give lamps (Deepadana vidhi)
Day 7 · Mon, Nov 16
Worship of Shiva and Keshava
First Karthika Somavaram
Day 8 · Tue, Nov 17
The power of Hari's name — Ajamila's story begins
Day 9 · Wed, Nov 18
Vishnu's messengers and Yama's messengers
Day 10 · Thu, Nov 19
Ajamila's previous life
Day 11 · Fri, Nov 20
Manthara and the glory of the Purana
Utthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
Day 12 · Sat, Nov 21
Dwadashi and the gift of a Shaligrama
Ksheerabdi Dwadashi
Day 13 · Sun, Nov 22
The fruit of Kanyadanam — the story of Suveera
Day 14 · Mon, Nov 23
Releasing a bull (Vrishotsarga) and the rules of Karthika
Second Karthika Somavaram
Day 15 · Tue, Nov 24
The mouse that lit a lamp
Karthika Pournami
Day 16 · Wed, Nov 25
The pillar lamp — Dhanalobha appears
Day 17 · Thu, Nov 26
Angirasa teaches Dhanalobha about the Self
Day 18 · Fri, Nov 27
The fruit of good deeds
Day 19 · Sat, Nov 28
The power of the Chaturmasya vow
Day 20 · Sun, Nov 29
King Puranjaya goes astray
Day 21 · Mon, Nov 30
Puranjaya learns the power of Karthika
Third Karthika Somavaram
Day 22 · Tue, Dec 1
Puranjaya keeps the Pournami vow and wins
Day 23 · Wed, Dec 2
Puranjaya attains liberation
Day 24 · Thu, Dec 3
Ambarisha's Dwadashi vow
Day 25 · Fri, Dec 4
Durvasa curses Ambarisha
Day 26 · Sat, Dec 5
Durvasa seeks refuge with Vishnu
Day 27 · Sun, Dec 6
Vishnu sends Durvasa to Ambarisha
Day 28 · Mon, Dec 7
The glory of the Sudarshana chakra
Fourth Karthika Somavaram
Day 29 · Tue, Dec 8
Ambarisha honours Durvasa — the Dwadashi parana
Karthika Amavasya — last day of Karthika Masam
Day 30 · Tue, Dec 8
Phalashruti — the fruits of the Karthika vow
Karthika Amavasya — last day of Karthika Masam
Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Karthika Puranam be read in 2026?
One chapter a day through Karthika Masam, from Tuesday, November 10 (chapter 1) to Tuesday, December 8, 2026 (Karthika Amavasya). This year Karthika has 29 days, so chapters 29 and 30 are read together on December 8.
Who narrates the Karthika Puranam?
In the 30-chapter text read in Telugu homes, Sage Vasishtha tells King Janaka the glory of Karthika (from the Skanda Purana). Suta frames it for the sages at Naimisharanya, and in chapters 20–29 Vasishtha relates a story Sage Atri told Sage Agastya.
Which stories are in the Karthika Puranam?
Among them: the Somavara vow (chapter 2), Ajamila (chapters 8–10), the mouse that lit a lamp (15), Dhanalobha and Sage Angirasa (16–19), King Puranjaya (20–23), and King Ambarisha and Sage Durvasa (24–29). Chapter 30 is the phalashruti.
Can I read the Karthika Puranam if I cannot keep the full vow?
Yes. The Purana itself says the vow is open to everyone, and that reading or even listening to it brings merit. Chapter 30 adds that those who cannot keep the whole month may keep Karthika Shuddha Pournami — observing the vow as they can, hearing the Purana, keeping a night vigil and feeding a Brahmin the next day — for the merit of the whole month.