Alpashi Utsavam of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Alpashi Utsavam

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
HOSPITALITY SERVICES
OTHER TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS
OTHER FESTIVAL

Alpashi Utsavam

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is renowned for its magnificent architecture and rich cultural heritage. One of the temple's major annual events is the Alpashi Festival, which typically occurs in either October or November. This festival is celebrated with great fervor, drawing crowds from all over.

The Alpashi Festival is marked by the ceremonial circumambulation of the presiding deity Anantha Padmanabhan in various Vahanas (vehicles). Each day features a different Vahanam, such as the Simhasana Vahanam, Anantha Vahanam, Kamala Vahanam, Pallakku Vahanam, Garuda Vahanam, and Indra Vahanam. The deities, including Sree Padmanabha Swamy, Sree Krishna Swamy, and Sree Narayana Swamy, are taken out in processions, with Sree Padmanabha's Vahanam made of gold, while the others are silver. The Pallakku and Garuda Vahanams are particularly significant, with the latter used four times during the festival.

One of the most significant events of the Alpashi Festival is the Pallivetta, which takes place on the penultimate day. This is followed by the grand Arattu on the final day. The Arattu ceremony, a holy bath for the deities, is the primary attraction of the festival. A large procession begins at the temple and makes its way to Shanghumugham Beach. The head of the Travancore Royal Family leads the procession, sword in hand, accompanied by caparisoned elephants, mounted police, and columns of armed police. Thousands of devotees line the streets to witness this unique and historic sight.

The procession culminates at the Arattu Mandapam on Shanghumugham Beach, where the deities are given a holy bath in the sea. This ritual is also performed during the Painguni Festival in addition to the Alpashi Festival.

The festival starts with the flag-hoisting ceremony and includes various rituals and cultural programs. Each evening, a special procession called the Utsava Sheeveli takes place, and there are Kathakali performances at the temple's natakashala. The festival also includes traditional dances and temple arts.

In Kerala, festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and the local traditions and customs. We have calculated the festival dates based on these. But there can be changes in the dates according the customs and rituals associated with each place of worship. As such, these should be considered only as approximate dates and have to be confirmed with the local authorities.