What is Rudrabhishekam?
The Sri Rudram praises Shiva in his fierce and benevolent forms and asks for protection and every good thing in life. Chanting it while pouring sacred substances over the lingam is considered one of the most powerful Shiva poojas that can be done at home.
In a Laghu Rudram the Rudram is chanted eleven times (ekadasa rudram) with the Chamakam, usually by several pandits.
Rudrabhishekam in Karthika masam 2026
Karthika masam 2026 runs from Tuesday, 10 November 2026 to Tuesday, 8 December 2026 in the Telugu and Kannada (amanta) calendar. Shiva is worshipped all month, and Rudrabhishekam on the Karthika Somavarams (Mondays) is held especially auspicious. Book early if you want a Somavaram or Purnima evening.
| Karthika Somavaram | Date |
|---|---|
| First Somavaram | Monday, 16 November 2026 |
| Second Somavaram | Monday, 23 November 2026 |
| Third Somavaram | Monday, 30 November 2026 |
| Fourth Somavaram | Monday, 7 December 2026 |
Verified pandits who perform Rudrabhishekam
These 12 pandits have been approved by the Rutviju team and perform Rudrabhishekam. Open a profile to see the languages, experience and every puja they do, and book directly.
Benefits and best time for Rudrabhishekam
Benefits
- Good health and recovery from illness
- Peace of mind and removal of negativity
- Relief from graha doshas, especially of Shani and Rahu
- Blessings for the family’s wellbeing
When to perform
- Mondays (Somavaram) and Pradosham
- Maha Shivaratri
- Karthika Somavarams (South) and Shravan Somvars (North)
- Birthdays and before major surgeries
Rudrabhishekam vidhi (step by step)
- 1Ganapati pooja and sankalpam
- 2Kalasha sthapana and Shiva avahanam in the lingam
- 3Abhishekam with water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, tender coconut water and sugarcane juice while the Namakam and Chamakam are chanted
- 4Abhishekam with vibhuti and sandalwood
- 5Alankaram with bilva leaves and flowers
- 6Archana with Shiva Ashtottaram
- 7Naivedyam, harathi and prasadam (abhisheka teertham)
Rudrabhishekam samagri list
- Shiva lingam (the pandit can bring one)
- Milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar
- Tender coconut water and sugarcane juice
- Vibhuti and sandalwood
- Bilva leaves and flowers
- Kalasham, coconut and fruits
- Camphor, incense and ghee lamp
Your pandit confirms the exact list after booking; you can add a Rutviju samagri kit to your order.
Rudrabhishekam across India’s traditions
Telugu tradition
Telugu families book Rudrabhishekam especially on Karthika Somavarams and Maha Shivaratri, often ending with a Karthika deepam.
Hindi tradition
In North India Rudrabhishek is most popular on Sawan Somvar and Maha Shivratri, with the Rudrashtadhyayi chanted.
Tamil tradition
Tamil families perform it on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri.
Kannada tradition
Karnataka families perform it on Shivaratri and Karthika Somavaras.
Marathi tradition
Maharashtrian families book Rudrabhishek on Shravani Somvar and Maha Shivratri.
Book Rudrabhishekam in your city
Telangana
- Hyderabad
- Warangal
- Karimnagar
- Nizamabad
- Khammam
- Sangareddy
- Siddipet
- Yadagirigutta
- Nalgonda
- Suryapet
- Mahabubnagar
- Mancherial
- Adilabad
Andhra Pradesh
- Visakhapatnam
- Vijayawada
- Guntur
- Tirupati
- Nellore
- Kurnool
- Kadapa
- Anantapur
- Rajahmundry
- Kakinada
- Eluru
- Ongole
- Srikakulam
- Vizianagaram
- Chittoor
- Machilipatnam
- Bhimavaram
- Amalapuram
- Anakapalli
- Narasaraopet
- Nandyal
Karnataka
Tamil Nadu
Kerala
Maharashtra
Delhi NCR
Uttar Pradesh (Delhi NCR)
Haryana (Delhi NCR)
Rajasthan
Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Chandigarh (Punjab & Haryana)
Bihar
Gujarat
West Bengal
Odisha
Chhattisgarh
Uttarakhand
Punjab
Jammu and Kashmir
Jharkhand
Assam
Why book Rudrabhishekam with Rutviju
Verified pandits
Every pandit’s profile is reviewed and approved by Rutviju before they can take bookings. See their languages and experience before you choose.
Price shown upfront
Dakshina, fees and taxes are itemised before you pay, so there is no haggling on the day.
Live pandit tracking
Follow your pandit on a live map from the moment they start their journey, just like a delivery app.
OTP-verified pooja
You confirm the pandit’s arrival and the pooja’s completion with one-time codes.
Your language, your tradition
Choose a pandit who speaks your language and follows your family’s customs.
Samagri made easy
Get the full samagri list after booking, or add a samagri kit to your order.
How to book Rudrabhishekam
- 1
Choose Rudrabhishekam — a verified pandit is suggested for you, or pick one by language and experience.
- 2
Pick a date and time and add your address; a muhurtham preference is optional.
- 3
Pay securely online (UPI, cards, net banking). On the day, track your pandit live and confirm arrival and completion with OTP codes.
Frequently asked questions
When is Karthika masam 2026?
From Tuesday, 10 November 2026 to Tuesday, 8 December 2026. The Karthika Somavarams are Mon, 16 Nov, Mon, 23 Nov, Mon, 30 Nov, Mon, 7 Dec.
How much does Rudrabhishekam cost?
On Rutviju, Rudrabhishekam starts from ₹3,100 as pandit dakshina for 1 pandit (more for Laghu Rudram). The final price depends on your city, the pandit you choose, samagri and express booking, and is shown in full before you pay.
How long does Rudrabhishekam take?
About 1.5 to 2.5 hours, performed by 1 pandit (more for Laghu Rudram).
Can Rudrabhishekam be done at home?
Yes. The pandit brings a Shiva lingam if you do not have one and performs the abhishekam with the Sri Rudram at home.
Which day is best for Rudrabhishekam?
Mondays, Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri, and the Mondays of Karthika or Shravan month.
Can I book a pandit who speaks my language for Rudrabhishekam?
Yes. Rutviju has Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali and Odia-speaking pandits, depending on the city; each pandit’s languages are shown on their profile.
In which cities can I book Rudrabhishekam?
Rudrabhishekam can be booked in 99 cities including Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam and Sangareddy. Choose your city below for local details.
What are the benefits of Rudrabhishekam?
Good health and recovery from illness, Peace of mind and removal of negativity, Relief from graha doshas, especially of Shani and Rahu and Blessings for the family’s wellbeing. The Sri Rudram praises Shiva in his fierce and benevolent forms and asks for protection and every good thing in life.
What samagri is needed for Rudrabhishekam?
Shiva lingam (the pandit can bring one), Milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar, Tender coconut water and sugarcane juice, Vibhuti and sandalwood, Bilva leaves and flowers and Kalasham, coconut and fruits. The full list comes with your booking, or add a samagri kit and the pandit brings everything.
Where can I book Rudrabhishekam near me?
Rutviju sends a verified pandit to your home in 99 cities, including Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam and Sangareddy. Set your location when booking to see the pandits who serve your area.