Tirumala, 26 April 2026 – The important festivals and special‑observance‑days scheduled in Tirumala during May 2026 include a mix of theological‑Jayantis, Thiru‑Nakshatram‑sevas, and Utsavam‑starts, all connected with Sri Venkateswara, his consorts, and his devotees‑and‑Acharyas. These dates are especially useful for devotees planning emotion‑focused‑darshan, seva‑bookings, or vrata‑completion in the summer‑festive‑season.
1. May 1 – Kurma Jayanti & Pournami Garuda Seva
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Kurma Jayanti
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Kurma Jayanti on 1 May 2026 commemorates the Kurma‑Avatar (Tortoise‑incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, who supported Mount Mandara during the Samudra‑Manthan episode. In Tirumala, this is observed with special‑Archana, Vedic‑recitation, and hymns praising Lord Venkateswara in his Kurma‑Vishnu aspect, reinforcing the idea that Venkateswara is the same cosmic‑support‑power.
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Devotees who observe Kurma‑Vrata or Sankashta‑Chaturthi‑linked‑practices may choose this day for special‑Abhisekam‑and‑Shayanam‑darshan.
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Pournami Garuda Seva
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Alongside Jayanti, Garuda Seva on Pournami (full‑moon) is held on 1 May 2026 in Tirumala.
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In this seva, Lord Venkateswara is taken on Garuda Vahanam in the evening, creating a high‑visual‑impact‑procession that draws devotees seeking Bhakti‑effervescence and strong‑darshan‑experience.
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2. May 2 – Annamacharya Jayanthi
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Annamacharya Jayanthi
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2 May 2026 marks Annamacharya Jayanthi, the birth‑anniversary of saint‑poet Tallapaka Annamacharya, revered as Padakavita Pitamaha (Grandfather of Telugu devotional‑poetry).
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In Tirumala, this day features Annamacharya‑Sankeertana‑Ghoshti‑Ganams, musical‑concerts, and scholarly‑discourses at Annamacharya Kalamandiram and other TTD‑cultural‑centres, linking the keertana‑tradition with Srivari‑darshan.
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Devotees often choose this day for Sankeertana‑listening‑darshan, Srivari‑Abhisekam, and Sri Kodandarama‑temple‑visits, since Annamacharya composed extensively on Rama‑and‑Krishna‑forms of the Lord.
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3. May 3 – Parashara Bhattar Varsha Thiru Nakshatram
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Parashara Bhattar’s Star‑Day
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3 May 2026 is Parashara Bhattar Varsha Thiru Nakshatram, a star‑day‑celebration for Sri Parashara Bhattar, a prominent Vaishnava Acharya and devoted follower of Sri Ramanuja.
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In Tirumala, Thiru‑Nakshatram days are marked with special‑Archana, recitation of the Acharya’s works, and eulogies, honouring his role in systematizing Sri Vaishnava theology and service‑ethos.
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Devotees interested in Acharya‑veneration, Gurus‑and‑Namazhwar‑tradition, and Sri‑Vaishnava‑bhakti‑emphasis may choose this day for early‑morning‑Archana‑darshan.
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4. May 12 – Hanuman Jayanthi
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Hanuman Jayanthi
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Hanuman Jayanthi on 12 May 2026 celebrates the birth‑anniversary of Lord Hanuman, the devotee‑warrior‑and‑servant‑of‑Lord Rama, and by extension Srivari‑devotee in the Tirumala‑context.
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Tirumala has several Hanuman‑shrines (Anjaneya‑temples) around the hill and in Tirupati, and this day features special‑Abhisekams, Rama‑and‑Hanuman‑keertana‑sessions, and Ramayana‑recitation to emphasise devotional‑strength, protection, and selfless‑service‑ideals.
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Devotees often book Hanuman‑Abhisekam, Dhanur‑Vrata‑completion, or exam‑and‑contest‑related‑vrata‑darshan on this day.
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5. May 21 – Commencement of Nammalwar Utsavams
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Nammalwar Utsavams begin
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On 21 May 2026, the annual Nammalwar Utsavams in Tirumala commence, marking the start of a multi‑day festival for Saint‑Nammalwar (Namazhwar), one of the 12 Alwars and chief devotee‑poet of Sri Vishnu.
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During the Utsavam‑period, special‑poojas, recitation of Tiruvaymozhi and other Nammalwar‑verses, and soul‑soothing‑music‑sessions are held, highlighting the idea that Nammalwar’s hymns are as potent as Vedic‑mantras in Tirumala‑Vaishnava‑practice.
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Devotees can plan mid‑afternoon‑and‑evening‑darshan on 21 May for the opening‑day‑ceremonial‑flags and early‑Abhisekams.
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6. May 26 – Varadarajaswamy Varsha Thiru Nakshatram
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Varadarajaswamy’s Star‑Day in Tirumala
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26 May 2026 is Varadarajaswamy Varsha Thiru Nakshatram, a star‑day‑observance for Lord Varadaraja (a form of Sri Vishnu), especially adored in the Tirupati‑tradition.
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In Tirumala, this Thiru‑Nakshatram includes special‑pooja, hymn‑recitation, and Akshaya‑Vana‑Vrata‑linked‑offerings, emphasising prosperity‑and‑blessings‑through‑Lord’s‑cosmic‑form.
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Devotees seeking money‑and‑career‑stability‑blessings may choose this day for Vaishnava‑Thirumanjanam or Sri‑Varadaraja‑seva‑symmetric‑darshan‑slots.
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7. May 30 – Nammalwar Sattumora
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Nammalwar Sattumora (Concluding‑Day)
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30 May 2026 is Nammalwar Sattumora, the concluding‑day of the Nammalwar‑festival‑cycle that began on 21 May.
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“Sattumora” in this context is the closure‑ritual‑day, where final‑pooja, processional‑circuits, and Agama‑rites are performed to thankfully‑end the Utsavam, and devotees gather for mass‑Sankirtana sessions.
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Late‑afternoon‑or‑evening‑darshan on 30 May can be powerful for those who want to witness the emotional‑closing‑Archanai‑procession and join collective‑keertana‑chanting.
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8. Key takeaway bullets (what to do / remember)
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Important May‑2026 Tirumala festivals highlighted by TTD: Kurma Jayanti & Pournami Garuda Seva (1 May), Annamacharya Jayanthi (2 May), Parashara Bhattar Thiru Nakshatram (3 May), Hanuman Jayanthi (12 May), start of Nammalwar Utsavams (21 May), Varadarajaswamy Thiru Nakshatram (26 May), and Nammalwar Sattumora (30 May).
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These dates are ideal for planning vrata‑completion‑darshan, specific‑Abhisekam‑tickets, or extra‑ritual completion (e.g., Annamacharya‑Jayanthi‑for‑Sankeertana‑darshan, Hanuman‑Jayanthi‑for‑Anjaneya‑Abhisekam, Nammalwar‑Utsavam‑days‑for‑Panchasamskaram‑and‑Tiruvaymozhi‑hearing).
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For more precise seva‑timings and ticket‑dates, check the official TTD festival‑calendar and your live‑status‑page before travel: 🔗 https://www.tirumala.org/Festivals.aspx and https://tirumalainfo.com/tirumala-live-status.php.
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