The Telugu states celebrate Diwali today, Sunday, November 8. Devotees take the Naraka Chaturdashi oil bath before dawn and perform Lakshmi puja in the evening pradosha period. ETV Bharat gives the day's Vijaya muhurtham as about 1:53 PM to 2:39 PM. Devotees mark it as the victory over Narakasura.
Key days in Karthika masam
- November 9: Amavasya, Kedara Vratam
- November 10: Bali Padyami and Go Puja; Karthika masam begins, along with the Akasha Deepam tradition
- November 13: Nagula Chavithi
- November 20: Utthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi
- November 21: Ksheerabdi Dwadasi
- November 24: Karthika Pournami and Laksha Deepotsavam
For Srisailam pilgrims
During Karthika masam (November 10 to December 9), the ₹5,000 garbhalaya abhishekam and ₹1,500 group abhishekam will be paused on rush days. Udayastamana, morning and pradosha-time seva tickets have been stopped. On rush days the ₹1,000 kumkumarchana moves to the Ashirvachana Mandapam. Homams and the kalyanotsavam continue as usual.
Of the tickets, 80% can be booked through the state's Manamitra WhatsApp service (95523 00009) and 20% on the temple website. EO Srinivasa Rao said annaprasadam may run until 3:30 PM depending on crowds.
