Tirumala, 29 March 2026 – The three‑day Salakatla Vasanthotsavam will be observed in Tirumala from March 30 to April 1, 2026, marking the annual spring festival dedicated to Lord Venkateswara and His processional deities. Vasanthotsavam, literally meaning “Festival of Spring,” is held every year in the Chaitra month (March–April) during the auspicious tithis of Trayodasi, Chaturdasi, and Pournami, welcoming the onset of the warmer season with elaborate rituals and processions.
VASANTHOTSAVAM-OF-PROCESSION
Historical and ritual background
According to temple legend, Vasanthotsavam was introduced during the reign of King Achyutaraya in the 1460s, making it one of the older spring‑time festivals in the Tirumala tradition. The festival is believed to provide soothing relief to the deities from the scorching summer sun, symbolizing divine connection with the changing seasons and nature.
The three‑day observance begins a day before, with the Ankurarpanam ceremony held on the day of Uttarabhadra star, where nine kinds of seeds are sown in specially prepared pots. This ritual marks the symbolic beginning of spring growth and is considered an auspicious start to the festival.
This is followed by Punya Vachanam (purification rites), Vasthu Santhi (worship of deities and natural forces), and Samprokshanam (sprinkling of holy water for purification), all performed by temple priests. These rites are not open to the public, maintaining their sanctity and ritual secrecy.
Daily rituals and special abhisekham
All three days, the Utsava Murtis – Sri Malayappa Swamy with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi – are taken to the beautifully decorated Vasanta Mandapam within the temple complex.
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First two days: At the Vasanta Mandapam, Snapana Tirumanjanam (Abhisekham) is performed, where the deities are given an aromatic bath using special herbal and fragrant ingredients. This ritual is believed to cleanse, cool, and rejuvenate the processional images in the spring heat.
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Second day, morning: The deities are taken out in a grand Swarna Ratham (Golden Chariot) procession along the four Mada streets, allowing devotees crowding the route to receive the Lord’s blessings in a vibrant, open‑air setting.
On the third day, the festival reaches its grandest ceremonial peak:
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Processional deities of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Anjaneya are brought out.
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Alongside them, Sri Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama are also taken in procession.
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These deities are paraded together with Sri Malayappa Swamy, Sridevi, and Bhudevi in a composite procession, creating a rare, multi‑avatar darshan experience for devotees.
At the end of the procession, all Utsava Murtis are brought back to the Vasanta Mandapam, where another Snapana Tirumanjanam is performed with heightened religious fervour, completing the three‑day Vasanthotsavam cycle.
Special seva cancellations during Vasanthotsavam
In view of the heightened focus on Vasanthotsavam rituals and processions, TTD has cancelled several other scheduled sevas on these three days to prioritize crowd management and ritual continuity. The affected sevas include:
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Kalyanotsavam
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Unjal Seva
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Arjita Brahmotsavam
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Sahasra Deepalakara Seva
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Astadala Padapadmaradhana (on March 31)
These cancellations allow devotees and temple staff to concentrate on the main Vasanthotsavam events, ensuring smoother darshan and better‑managed movement within the temple and surrounding areas.
Standout points
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Historical continuity: The festival traces its origins to the 15th century Achyuta Raya period, linking modern‑day rituals with centuries‑old tradition.
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Multi‑deity darshan: The third‑day procession featuring Rama, Krishna, and Venkateswara together offers a rare, panoramic view of three major divine forms at once.
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Seasonal symbolism: The aromatic baths and seed‑sowing rituals explicitly connect the divine with the cycles of spring and nature, making Vasanthotsavam both a religious and ecological celebration.
Follow the Instagram page @tirumalatirupativlogs for the latest updates, photos, and short‑video coverage of Salakatla Vasanthotsavam processions and special sevas in Tirumala.
