The Alpasi Mahotsavam 2026 at the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, will be celebrated from October 11 to October 20, 2026. The ten-day annual temple festival features traditional rituals, Utsava Sreebali, cultural programmes, classical dance performances and the grand Pallivetta and Arattu ceremonies.
The festival will begin with the Thrikkodiyettu on October 11 and conclude with the sacred Arattu at Shankhumukham Beach on October 20, 2026.
Alpasi Festival 2026 – Important Dates
| Festival Event | Date | Malayalam Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Thrikkodiyettu | October 11 | Kanni 25, 1202 ME |
| Valiya Kanikka | October 18 | Thulam 1, 1202 ME |
| Pallivetta | October 19 | Thulam 2, 1202 ME |
| Arattu | October 20 | Thulam 3, 1202 ME |
The auspicious time for Thrikkodiyettu on October 11 is between 8:45 AM and 9:30 AM.
During the festival days, Utsava Sreebali will be conducted at 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
Various cultural programmes will be organized at Vadakke Nada Stage, Sreepadam and Thulabharamandapam. Kathakali performances are also scheduled at Kizhakke Natakashala from 10:00 PM onwards during the festival days.
First Festival Day – October 11, 2026
Temple Rituals
- 3:00 AM – Palliyunarthal
- 3:30 AM – Nirmaalya Darshanam and Abhishekam
- 6:00 AM – Usha Sreebali
- 8:00 AM – Kodikkoora Pooja
- 8:45 AM–9:30 AM – Thrikkodiyettu
- Following Thrikkodiyettu – Mannuneerkoral
- After 9:30 AM – Thiruvambadi Thrikkodiyettu
- 11:00 AM – Uchha Pooja
- 4:30 PM – Temple opening
- 6:15 PM – Sandhya Deeparadhana
- 7:00 PM – Athazha Pooja and Athazha Sreebali
- 8:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Simhasana Vahanam
The first day's Utsava Sreebali offering is associated with Ajith, Pururuttathi.
Cultural Programmes – October 11
Vadakke Nada Stage
- 5:00–5:30 PM – Bharatanatyam – Gayathri M, Swasthika Kalakendra
- 5:30–6:15 PM – Bharatanatyam – Bharata Natya Kalalaya, Mumbai
- 6:15–7:00 PM – Bharatanatyam – Subhadra Binoj
- 7:00–7:45 PM – Classical Dance – Sree Sastha Nritha Kalakshetram, Chempazhanthi
- 7:45–8:30 PM – Classical Dance – Shivadam School of Dance, Paravoor
Thulabharamandapam
- 10:00–11:30 AM – Pancharimelam – Mullakkal Arun Kumar P
- 5:00–5:30 PM – Bharatanatyam – Laasya Dance Studio, Bangalore
- 5:30–6:00 PM – Mohiniyattam – Tejaswi T.P, Kannur
- 6:00–6:45 PM – Bhajans – Radeyam Bhajans Group, Thirumala
- 6:45–7:15 PM – Thiruvathira – Sreeragam Thiruvathira Sangam, Palkulangara
Sreepadam
- 5:00–5:45 PM – Bharatanatyam – Smrithi Sudhakar, Chennai
- 5:45–6:30 PM – Bhakthi Gaanam – Aarush A.R, Nemom
- 6:30–7:00 PM – Thiruvathira – Devi Parvathy School of Thiruvathira, Sasthamangalam
- 7:00–7:30 PM – Dwadeshakrithikal – Kanjagad Shankaran Namboothiri P.
Second Festival Day – October 12, 2026
The second festival day begins with Palliyunarthal at 3:00 AM and Nirmaalya Darshanam at 3:30 AM. Kalashabhishekam is scheduled at 8:30 AM, followed by Uchha Pooja at 10:00 AM.
Evening Rituals
- 4:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Anantha Vahanam
- 6:15 PM – Deeparadhana
- 6:35 PM – Athazha Pooja
- 6:45 PM – Athazha Sreebali
- 7:00 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Anantha Vahanam
- 8:30 PM – Utsava Sreebali
Utsava Sreebali offerings are listed for Smt. Remadevi, Pooradam at 4:30 PM and Sree Padmanabha Swamy, Thiruvonam at 8:30 PM.
Cultural Programmes
Vadakke Nada Stage: Classical dance and Bharatanatyam performances from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Thulabharamandapam: Classical dance and vocal concert programmes from 8:00 AM and 5:15 PM onwards.
Sreepadam: Thiruvathira, Bhajans, Aksharapooja and classical dance programmes.
Third Festival Day – October 13, 2026
The third day features Kalashabhishekam, Uchha Pooja and Utsava Sreebali on Kamala Vahanam.
Main Rituals
- 3:00 AM – Palliyunarthal
- 3:30 AM – Nirmaalya Darshanam after regular rituals
- 8:30 AM – Kalashabhishekam
- 10:00 AM – Uchha Pooja
- 4:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Kamala Vahanam
- 6:15 PM – Deeparadhana
- 6:35 PM – Athazha Pooja
- 6:45 PM – Mulapooja
- 7:00 PM – Athazha Sreebali
- 8:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Kamala Vahanam
Cultural Programmes
The cultural programme venues include Vadakke Nada Stage, Thulabharamandapam and Sreepadam, featuring classical dance, Bharatanatyam, Sopana Sangeetham, Thiruvathira and devotional music.
Fourth Festival Day – October 14, 2026
The fourth day features the Pallinilavu (Pallakku) Vahanam for the Utsava Sreebali.
Main Rituals
- 3:00 AM – Palliyunarthal
- 3:30 AM – Nirmaalya Darshanam
- 8:30 AM – Kalashabhishekam
- 10:00 AM – Uchha Pooja
- 4:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Pallinilavu Pallakku Vahanam
- 6:15 PM – Deeparadhana
- 6:35 PM – Athazha Pooja
- 6:45 PM – Athazha Sreebali
- 7:00 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali
- 8:30 PM – Utsava Sreebali
Cultural programmes include Bharatanatyam, classical dance, Sopana Sangeetham, Carnatic music, Bhajans and Thiruvathira.
Fifth Festival Day – October 15, 2026
The fifth day features Utsava Sreebali on Garuda Vahanam.
Main Rituals
- 3:00 AM – Palliyunarthal
- 3:30 AM – Nirmaalya Darshanam
- 8:30 AM – Kalashabhishekam
- 10:00 AM – Uchha Pooja
- 4:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Garuda Vahanam
- 6:15 PM – Deeparadhana
- 6:35 PM – Athazha Pooja
- 6:45 PM – Athazha Sreebali
- 7:00 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali
- 8:30 PM – Utsava Sreebali
The cultural programme features Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, classical music, Carnatic vocal music and Thiruvathira.
Sixth Festival Day – October 16, 2026
The sixth day features Utsava Sreebali on Indra Vahanam.
Main Rituals
- 3:00 AM – Palliyunarthal
- 3:30 AM – Nirmaalya Darshanam
- 6:45 AM – Mulapooja
- 8:30 AM – Kalashabhishekam
- 10:00 AM – Uchha Pooja
- 4:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Indra Vahanam
- 6:15 PM – Deeparadhana
- 6:35 PM – Athazha Pooja
- 6:45 PM – Athazha Sreebali
- 8:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Indra Vahanam
The cultural programme includes Veda chanting, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, classical dance, Bhakthigeetham, Veena recital and Thiruvathira.
Seventh Festival Day – October 17, 2026
The seventh festival day continues the traditional temple rituals and Utsava Sreebali on the Pallinilavu Pallakku Vahanam.
Main Rituals
- 3:00 AM – Palliyunarthal
- 3:30 AM – Nirmaalya Darshanam
- 8:30 AM – Kalashabhishekam
- 10:00 AM – Uchha Pooja
- 4:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali
- 6:15 PM – Deeparadhana
- 6:35 PM – Athazha Pooja
- 6:45 PM – Athazha Sreebali
- 7:00 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali
- 8:30 PM – Utsava Sreebali
Cultural programmes include classical dance, Bhakthi Gana Lahari, Thiruvathira, Mohiniyattam, Bhajans and Bharatanatyam.
Valiya Kanikka – October 18, 2026
October 18, 2026 (Thulam 1, 1202 ME) marks the Valiya Kanikka, or Grand Offering, during the Alpasi Mahotsavam.
This is one of the important observances associated with the festival. Devotees can participate in the temple's traditional worship and festival observances on this day.
Ninth Festival Day and Pallivetta – October 19, 2026
The ninth festival day is one of the major highlights of Alpasi Mahotsavam, as it includes the Pallivetta, the traditional Royal Hunt ritual.
Main Rituals
- 3:00 AM – Palliyunarthal
- 3:30 AM – Nirmaalya Darshanam
- 8:30 AM – Kalashabhishekam
- 10:00 AM – Uchha Pooja
- 4:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Garuda Vahanam
- 6:15 PM – Deeparadhana
- 6:35 PM – Athazha Pooja
- 7:00 PM – Athazha Sreebali
- 8:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Pallivetta procession on Garuda Vahanam
The day's Utsava Sreebali offerings are listed for Smt. Haripriya Mann, Revathy at 4:30 PM and Shri. Babu Kattayikkonam, Makom at 8:30 PM.
Cultural programmes at Sreepadam and Thulabharamandapam include Thiruvathira, Bharatanatyam and classical dance.
Tenth Festival Day – Arattu – October 20, 2026
The festival concludes on October 20, 2026 (Thulam 3, 1202 ME) with the sacred Arattu, the Holy Bathing Ceremony.
On the final day:
- 5:00 AM – Palliyunarthal and Nirmaalya Darshanam after the customary rituals
- 4:30 PM – Sree Bhootha Bali and Utsava Sreebali on Garuda Vahanam followed by the Thiruvananthapuram Arattu procession
- Arattu Sreebali – Annapoorna, Pazhavangadi
- Arattu Kalashabhishekam – Shri. Mohan J.P, Chothi
The Arattu procession proceeds towards Shankhumukham Beach, where the ceremonial holy bath takes place, marking the conclusion of the ten-day Alpasi Festival.
Cultural Programmes During Alpasi Festival 2026
The Alpasi Mahotsavam is not limited to temple rituals. A wide range of traditional Kerala and Indian performing arts forms part of the festival celebrations.
The programmes include:
- Bharatanatyam
- Mohiniyattam
- Kuchipudi
- Classical Dance
- Thiruvathira
- Sopana Sangeetham
- Carnatic Music
- Bhajans
- Devotional music
- Veena recital
- Vedic chanting
- Pancharimelam
- Bhakthi Gaanam
- Kathakali
Performances are scheduled at Vadakke Nada Stage, Sreepadam, Thulabharamandapam and Kizhakke Natakashala.
Kathakali performances are scheduled at Kizhakke Natakashala from 10:00 PM onwards during the festival days.
Alpasi Festival 2026 – Festival Highlights
The major attractions of the Alpasi Mahotsavam 2026 include:
October 11: Thrikkodiyettu
October 18: Valiya Kanikka
October 19: Pallivetta
October 20: Arattu at Shankhumukham Beach
The daily Utsava Sreebali at 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM is another important part of the festival observances.
Alpasi Festival 2026 at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The Alpasi Mahotsavam brings together the spiritual traditions, rituals, music and performing arts associated with the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The ten-day celebration offers devotees an opportunity to witness the temple's traditional rituals and participate in the festive atmosphere.
Devotees are invited to take part in the festival and seek the blessings of Sree Padmanabhaswamy during this auspicious occasion.
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