Laksha Deepotsava is a five-day annual festival celebrated at Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. Dedicated to Lord Manjunatha, the festival is known for the lighting of one lakh (100,000) lamps across the temple and its surroundings.

Scheduled from 4 to 8 December 2026, Laksha Deepotsava brings together religious traditions, cultural programmes, spiritual gatherings and literary activities at Dharmasthala.

The festival centres on the worship of Lord Manjunatha, the presiding deity of Dharmasthala. Religious rituals and processions form an important part of the celebrations. The festival also features the Sarva Dharma Sammelana, an interfaith conference that brings together representatives of different religions, and the Sahitya Sammelana, a literary gathering dedicated to literature and fine arts.

A Festival Illuminated by One Lakh Lamps

The lighting of one lakh lamps is the defining attraction of Laksha Deepotsava. The illuminated temple surroundings create the distinctive atmosphere associated with this annual celebration.

The five-day festival also includes traditional religious ceremonies, processions of the festival deity, music, traditional dance, Harikatha and bhajans.

Sarva Dharma Sammelana and Sahitya Sammelana

Beyond its religious celebrations, Laksha Deepotsava includes two important gatherings:

  1. Sarva Dharma Sammelana: An interfaith conference bringing together speakers and representatives from different religious traditions.
  2. Sahitya Sammelana: A literary gathering focusing on literature and fine arts.

These gatherings form an important part of the festival's wider cultural and spiritual programme.

When Is Laksha Deepotsava 2026?

Laksha Deepotsava 2026 is scheduled for 4–8 December 2026 at Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Karnataka. The detailed programme, including the timings of individual rituals, processions and gatherings, is expected to be announced by the Dharmadhikari's office closer to the festival.

Entry Information

Entry to the festival, processions and associated gatherings is free. Visitors should note that accommodation, darshan arrangements and crowd-management conditions may vary during the festival.

Event Highlights

  1. Lighting of one lakh (100,000) lamps across the temple and surrounding areas.
  2. Five days of celebrations dedicated to Lord Manjunatha.
  3. Religious rituals and processions featuring the festival deity.
  4. Kshetrapala Puja and Ashtavadhana Puja.
  5. A silver chariot procession to Gowrimaru Katte.
  6. Sarva Dharma Sammelana, the interfaith conference.
  7. Sahitya Sammelana, the literary and fine arts gathering.
  8. Traditional music, folk dances, Harikatha and bhajans.
  9. Samavasarana Puja of Shri Chandranatha Swamy.
  10. Handicraft and amusement exhibitions.