Alpashi Festival

The Alpashi Utsavam is a major annual celebration scheduled from October 11 to October 20, 2026, at the architectural marvel that is the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Each day of this grand ten-day festival features a ceremonial circumambulation where the temple deities are carried out in highly intricate golden and silver Vahanas (chariots), accompanied by evening Kathakali dramas and traditional temple arts. The ultimate highlight is the closing Arattu ceremony on the final day. Led by the head of the Travancore Royal Family holding a ceremonial sword, a majestic procession of caparisoned elephants, armed police, and thousands of chanting devotees journeys through the city streets down to Shanghumugham Beach, culminating in a ritual holy bath for the idols in the Arabian Sea.