Tirupati, 24 April 2026 – Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple, Tirupati will host a dense calendar of special festivals throughout May 2026, including Alvar‑centric utsavams, Nakshatram‑based processions, and the grand annual Brahmotsavams from 23–31 May. These events attract devotees from Tirupati, Tirumala, and surrounding districts for multi‑day processions, vaahana‑sevas, and seer‑related celebrations rooted in Sri Vaishnavite tradition.
1. Early‑May festivals (Ponnakalva, Andal, Kalyana Venkateswara)
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1 May – Ponnakalva Utsavam
This Ponnakalva Utsavam is a special abhishekam‑cum‑procession occasion, where the processional deity is adorned with golden‑type ornaments and taken in a short function‑oriented circuit, often linked to wealth‑and‑prosperity symbolism. It sets a devotional‑festive tone for the month‑long celebrations. -
8 & 15 May (Fridays) – Sri Andal Ammavari Procession
On both Fridays in May (8 and 15), Sri Andal Ammavari will be taken in a grand evening procession along the four Mada streets at 6:00 PM.-
Andal is venerated as the only female Alvar, and her processions are high‑devotion events, with many devotees singing Tamil divya‑prabandhams and offering malai‑seva (flower garlands).
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9 May – Sravana Nakshatram & Sri Bhu Sameta Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy
On 9 May, coinciding with Sravana Nakshatram, the Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy along with Sridevi and Bhudevi will be taken in a 6:00 PM procession through the four Mada streets.-
This form embodies the married‑Krishna‑as‑Venkateswara motif, and Sravana Nakshatram is considered especially auspicious for Vishnu‑worship and couple‑devotees (marriage‑blessing oriented).
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2. Mid‑May highlights (Hanuman Jayanthi, Parthasarathi, Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam)
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12 May – Hanuman Jayanthi
Hanuman Jayanthi will be observed with special pujas, abhishekams, and processions for Sri Hanuman at the temple.-
TTD typically includes bhajana‑mangalasams, readings from Ramayana‑related prabandhams, and prasadam‑distribution, making this day popular among Hanuman‑bhajana‑oriented groups.
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18 May – Rohini Nakshatram & Sri Parthasarathi Swamy Procession
Rohini Nakshatram always draws special processions:-
At 6:00 PM on 18 May, Sri Parthasarathi Swamy (Krishna as charioteer to Arjuna), along with Sridevi and Bhudevi, will be taken in a grand Mada‑street procession.
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This is a narratively powerful event, symbolizing Krishna’s guidance of Arjuna in Bhagavad‑Gita‑style context; devotees consider it highly auspicious for clarity in life‑decisions and spiritual‑knowledge.
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18 May – Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam
Alongside the Parthasarathi procession, Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam will be performed.-
This is a purificatory ritual where the temple‑premises, sanctum‑walls, and puja‑materials are cleansed with fragrant‑mixed holy water, in preparation for the upcoming Nammalwar Utsavams and Brahmotsavams.
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It is also a “reset‑ritual” for the temple before the major May festivals begin in full force.
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3. Nammalwar Utsavams and Brahmotsavam anchor‑week
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21–30 May – Nammalwar Utsavams
The Nammalwar Utsavams will run from 21 to 30 May, celebrating the greatest Alvar poet‑sant, Nammalwar, whose Tamil‑divya‑prabandhams are central to Sri Vaishnavism.-
Each day, there are morning and evening processions, recitations of Nalayira‑Divya‑Prabandham, and discourses on Nammalwar’s teachings.
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This is a scholar‑and‑devotee‑focused festival, popular with Tamil‑speaking groups and divya‑prabandham‑recitation circles.
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22 May – Ankurarpanam for Brahmotsavams
Ankurarpanam (seed‑sowing) will be performed on 22 May, marking the symbolic commencement of the annual Brahmotsavams.-
This ritual involves Vedic chanting, seed‑bed preparation, and prayers for successful festival‑conduct, and is typically attended by temple‑dharma‑heads and senior devotees.
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4. Annual Brahmotsavams – 23–31 May
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23 May – Dwajarohanam & Start of Brahmotsavams
The annual Brahmotsavams officially begin on 23 May with Dwajarohanam (hoisting of the Garuda‑flag on the Dwajasthambam).-
This signals the start of the nine‑day festival cycle, with Tiruchi‑Utsavam and Pedda Sesha Vahanam traditionally on the first day.
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27 May – Garuda Vahanam
Garuda Vahanam is scheduled for 27 May, when Sri Govindaraja Swamy rides on the Garuda‑Vahanam in a grand evening procession.-
Garuda represents speed, power, and soaring above worldly obstacles, making this one of the most visually dramatic and crowd‑pulling sevas of the Brahmotsavams.
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30 May – Rathotsavam
Rathotsavam (chariot festival) will be held on 30 May, with the deity mounted on a large wooden chariot and pulled through the main streets by devotees.-
This is a high‑energy, community‑participation event, with devotees chanting bhajans and pulling the ropes; it often draws the largest single‑day crowd of the Brahmotsavams.
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31 May – Chakrasnanam & Dwajavarohanam
The festivities conclude on 31 May with Chakrasnanam (ritual bath of the Sudarshana‑Chakra‑moorti) and Dwajavarohanam (lowering of the Dwajar flag).-
Chakrasnanam symbolizes the purification of the temple‑cosmos, while Dwajavarohanam marks the formal closure of Brahmotsavams, followed typically by Annadanam (free community meals) for devotees.
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5. Key takeaways
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May 2026 is a peak‑devotional month at Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple, with Nakshatram‑processions (Andal, Parthasarathi, Kalyana Venkateswara), Alvar‑utsavams (Nammalwar), and the full Brahmotsavams (23–31 May).
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Key high‑footfall days will be Hanuman Jayanthi (12 May), Parthasarathi‑procession + Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam (18 May), Garuda Vahanam (27 May), and Rathotsavam (30 May); devotees should arrive early and park outside the city‑core to avoid traffic‑gridlock.
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For Tamil‑minded devotees, the Nammalwar Utsavams (21–30 May) and Andal‑Friday‑processions (8 & 15 May) are must‑attend spiritual events emphasizing divya‑prabandham‑centric worship.
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Booking early for Annadanam hall‑access or nearby accommodation around 23–31 May is highly recommended, as Tirupati hotels and seva‑counters fill quickly during the Brahmotsavam‑week.
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