AstrologgerMasik Karthigai in March 2026
When is Masik Karthigai in March 2026? Monday, 23 March — Krittika nakshatra 22 Mar 10:42 PM to 23 Mar 8:49 PM (New Delhi).
| Date | Krittika Begins | Krittika Ends | Name | Day | Paksha / Month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Mar 2026 | 22 Mar, 10:42 PM | 23 Mar, 8:49 PM | Masik Karthigai (Chaitra) | Mon | Shukla · Chaitra |
All dates & times computed for New Delhi (IST) with the Swiss Ephemeris + Lahiri ayanamsa — not copied.
Masik Karthigai timings in March 2026
When each tithi begins, when it ends, and how long it actually runs — computed for Delhi (IST).
| Date | Krittika begins | Krittika ends | Duration | Day | Paksha | Lunar month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Mar | 22 Mar, 10:42 PM | 23 Mar, 8:49 PM | 22 hours 7 minutes | Monday | Shukla | Chaitra |
Each Masik Karthigai this month
Masik Karthigai (Chaitra) — Monday 23 Mar, in the Shukla paksha of Chaitra (purnimanta). The Krittika nakshatra runs 22 hours 7 minutes, from 22 Mar 10:42 PM.
How March compares
Across 2026, a Masik Karthigai tithi averages 21 hours 52 minutes. In March it averages 22 hours 7 minutes — about typical for the year.
Over the year the figure ranges from 21 hours 2 minutes in May to 22 hours 37 minutes in September. The spread exists because the Moon does not move at a constant rate, so a tithi is not a fixed length — which is why the vrat date shifts against the English calendar from month to month.
There are 13 Masik Karthigais in 2026, of which 1 falls in March.
Every other vrat in March 2026
The other observances falling in the same month, in calendar order.
| Vrat | Dates | Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Pradosh Vrat | 1 Mar — Ravi Pradosh · 16 Mar — Som Pradosh · 30 Mar — Som Pradosh | View |
| Purnima | 3 Mar — Phalguna Purnima | View |
| Sankashti Chaturthi | 6 Mar — Bhalachandra Sankashti | View |
| Kalashtami | 11 Mar — Kalashtami (Chaitra) | View |
| Ekadashi | 15 Mar — Papmochani Ekadashi · 29 Mar — Kamada Ekadashi | View |
| Masik Shivratri | 17 Mar — Masik Shivratri (Chaitra) | View |
| Amavasya | 19 Mar — Chaitra Amavasya | View |
| Vinayaka Chaturthi | 22 Mar — Vinayaka Chaturthi (Chaitra) | View |
| Skanda Sashti | 24 Mar — Skanda Sashti (Chaitra) | View |
| Masik Durgashtami | 26 Mar — Masik Durgashtami (Chaitra) | View |
What is Masik Karthigai?
Masik Karthigai follows the Moon's monthly return to Krittika, the Pleiades. Rows of oil lamps at the doorstep at dusk are its signature — light offered to Murugan and to Shiva as the column of flame. The observance is nakshatra-based rather than tithi-based, which is why its dates move differently from the tithi vrats.
Karthigai Deepam
The year's principal Karthigai falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai, when Krittika meets the full moon. At Tiruvannamalai the Maha Deepam is lit atop Arunachala hill, commemorating Shiva's appearance as an endless pillar of light — one of the oldest festivals in Tamil literature.
The six Krittika mothers
Tradition holds that Murugan arose from six sparks of Shiva's third eye, and that the six Krittika sisters — the stars of the Pleiades — nursed the six infants, who were then joined into one six-faced child, Arumugam. Because of this the Krittika nakshatra is counted as his birth star, and the monthly return of the Moon to Krittika is kept as his day. This is why Masik Karthigai follows the nakshatra rather than a tithi, and so moves against the lunar fortnight from month to month.
How the day is kept
The observance is a festival of lamps rather than a severe fast. Devotees bathe, keep a light or fruit diet through the day, and at dusk light rows of oil lamps at the doorway, in the courtyard and before the shrine. Worship is offered to Murugan, and in many homes to Shiva as well, with a ghee lamp, flowers and fruit, followed by archana and the chanting of his names. Temples in the Tamil tradition are lit along their walls and towers.
Significance
The lamps carry two meanings held together: they honour Murugan's appearance from the six sparks, and they recall Shiva's manifestation as the infinite column of light, the Lingodbhava, whose top and bottom Brahma and Vishnu could not find. The day is kept for health, strength and protection, and the light itself is read as knowledge dispelling ignorance. The principal Karthigai of the year falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai, when Krittika meets the full Moon and the great beacon is lit on Annamalai at Tiruvannamalai.
Masik Karthigai samagri
Gather these before the evening lamps:
- Oil lamps (agal vilakku) and wicks
- Sesame or castor oil, and ghee for the main lamp
- An image of Murugan, and of Shiva if kept
- Fresh flowers
- Seasonal fruit and coconut
- Vibhuti and chandan
- Incense (dhoop)
- Betel leaves and nuts
- Jaggery or appam as naivedya
Frequently asked questions
When is Masik Karthigai in March 2026?+
March 2026 has one Masik Karthigai: Masik Karthigai (Chaitra) — Monday, 23 March 2026. Timings are computed for New Delhi.
What is the Masik Karthigai Krittika nakshatra time in March 2026?+
23 March: Krittika nakshatra 22 Mar 10:42 PM to 23 Mar 8:49 PM. (New Delhi, IST)
How many Masik Karthigai are in 2026?+
There are 13 Masik Karthigai days in 2026 for the Delhi region — one each time the Moon transits Krittika nakshatra.
Why Krittika nakshatra?+
Krittika is Murugan's birth star — the six Krittika maidens nursed the six-faced Kartikeya — so the day the Moon joins it is kept sacred to him.
What is Karthigai Deepam?+
The annual Karthigai in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November–December), when the Krittika nakshatra coincides with the full moon, is Karthigai Deepam — rows of oil lamps at every home and the great beacon on Arunachala at Tiruvannamalai.
How is the day observed?+
Devotees light oil lamps at dusk, visit Murugan temples and keep a simple fast. It is primarily a Tamil observance kept across South India.
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