Tirumala Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026: Dates & Full Schedule
Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026 is not one festival this year but two, and that single fact changes how every pilgrim should plan the trip. Because 2026 carries an Adhika Masa, an extra lunar month, Tirumala celebrates the grand nine-day utsavam twice instead of once.
The annual Salakatla Brahmotsavam runs from September 15 to 23. A second Navaratri Brahmotsavam follows from October 12 to 20. Garuda Seva, the day lakhs of devotees travel for, falls on September 19 and again on October 16. This guide gives you the confirmed dates, the full vahana schedule, and the practical plan that most festival pages skip.
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Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026 Dates at a Glance
Here is the quick answer before the detail. TTD conducts two full nine-day Brahmotsavams in 2026. This pattern appears only in Adhika Masa years, such as 2018 and 2023.
- Salakatla (Annual) Brahmotsavam: September 15–23, 2026 (Ankurarpanam on September 14).
- Navaratri Brahmotsavam: October 12–20, 2026 (Ankurarpanam on October 11).
- Garuda Seva: September 19 (Saturday) and October 16 (Friday).
- Rathotsavam (car festival): September 22, with the golden chariot featured in October.
- Chakra Snanam (closing bath): September 23 and October 20.
Why Tirumala Has Two Brahmotsavams in 2026
In the Hindu lunisolar calendar, an extra month called Adhika Masa is added roughly every 32 months. This keeps the lunar and solar years aligned. When it happens, TTD separates the annual Salakatla Brahmotsavam from the Navaratri Brahmotsavam. Each then runs as its own nine-day festival.
In ordinary years the two merge into a single celebration, so 2026 is genuinely rare. That rarity is exactly what makes Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026 special for devotees. Tradition holds that merit earned during Adhika Masa multiplies, so many treat it as a double blessing. For planning, though, it also means two crowd peaks, two booking windows, and two chances to witness Garuda Seva.
Salakatla Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026: Day-by-Day Schedule
The Salakatla Brahmotsavam is the main annual festival. It opens with Dhwajarohanam, the hoisting of the Garuda flag on the temple flagpost. After that, Sri Malayappa Swami and His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi ride a different vahana each morning and evening. The processions circle the four Mada streets, and the table below follows the traditional order TTD uses.
| Day & Date | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 — Sep 15 (Tue) | Dhwajarohanam | Pedda Sesha Vahanam |
| Day 2 — Sep 16 (Wed) | Chinna Sesha Vahanam | Hamsa Vahanam |
| Day 3 — Sep 17 (Thu) | Simha Vahanam | Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam |
| Day 4 — Sep 18 (Fri) | Kalpavriksha Vahanam | Sarva Bhupala Vahanam |
| Day 5 — Sep 19 (Sat) | Mohini Avataram | Garuda Vahanam (Garuda Seva) |
| Day 6 — Sep 20 (Sun) | Hanumantha Vahanam | Gaja Vahanam / Golden Chariot |
| Day 7 — Sep 21 (Mon) | Surya Prabha Vahanam | Chandra Prabha Vahanam |
| Day 8 — Sep 22 (Tue) | Rathotsavam (wooden chariot) | Aswa Vahanam |
| Day 9 — Sep 23 (Wed) | Chakra Snanam | Dhwajavarohanam |
To state the key dates plainly: Garuda Seva falls on September 19, Rathotsavam on September 22, and Chakra Snanam on September 23. TTD has confirmed these anchor dates, while the daily vahana timings are announced closer to the festival. Because Garuda Seva lands on a Saturday this year, expect the heaviest rush of the whole nine days.
Garuda Seva 2026: The Day Lakhs Travel For
Garuda Seva is the single most attended event of Brahmotsavam. On this evening the Lord rides the divine eagle Garuda through the Mada streets. Vaishnava tradition regards this darshan as deeply auspicious, so crowds swell far beyond any other day.
During Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026, this is the peak evening on both September 19 and October 16. If you can attend only one procession, this is the one most pilgrims choose. Reach the Mada streets several hours early, because barricaded viewing areas fill long before the procession starts.
Navaratri Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026 Schedule
The second festival, the Navaratri Brahmotsavam, runs from October 12 to 20, 2026, with Ankurarpanam on October 11. It coincides with Sharad Navaratri. Its closing Chakra Snanam falls on October 20, which is Vijayadashami. Garuda Seva during this leg falls on October 16.
Although the vahana line-up looks similar, a few rituals differ from the annual festival. There is no Dhwajarohanam on the first day, so the flag is neither hoisted nor lowered. In place of the wooden Rathotsavam, the golden Swarna Rathotsavam takes centre stage, and Pushpaka Vimanam features among the evening processions.
Confirm the exact Navaratri day-wise timings on the official TTD announcement before you lock travel. Only the anchor dates are firm this far ahead, so a printed poster is no substitute for the official calendar.
Wrong Brahmotsavam Dates Circulating Online
Several websites still list dates that do not match TTD’s schedule, and following them can wreck a trip. Some pages claim the festival runs September 24 to October 2. Others say it “starts around October 8.” A few even place Garuda Seva on the third day rather than the fifth.
Getting the Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026 dates right is the whole point of this page. The annual festival is September 15–23, with Garuda Seva on the fifth day, September 19. The October festival is a separate Navaratri Brahmotsavam that ends on Vijayadashami, October 20. When a forwarded message disagrees with the official TTD calendar, trust TTD and ignore the rest.
Daily Vahana Seva Timings and Darshan Rules
During both festivals, the morning processions run roughly from 8 AM to 10 AM. The evening processions run from 7 PM to 9 PM. TTD confirms these windows for the annual festival, though exact start times shift slightly by day. The vahana sevas are public and free to watch from the Mada streets, so you do not need a ticket for them.
Temple darshan is a different matter during these days. Because of the expected rush, TTD suspends VIP break darshan except for protocol VIPs. Special darshans for senior citizens, differently-abled pilgrims, parents with infants, NRIs, and donors are usually paused for the festival period.
Free Sarva Darshan still continues, yet waiting times can stretch beyond 20 hours on peak days. On Garuda Seva evening, TTD also restricts two-wheeler movement on the Tirumala ghat road from around 9 PM. So darshan planning for Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026 needs a calmer, earlier mindset than a normal visit.
How to Book Darshan for Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026
You do not register for Brahmotsavam itself, because the processions are open to all. What you may need to book are darshan tickets, arjitha sevas, and accommodation. Every one of these goes through the official portal at ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in. TTD has no authorised agents for online tickets, so avoid any middleman promising confirmed slots.
Quotas open in staggered releases before each festival month. For September 2026, TTD spread the quota across June 18 to 24. The ₹300 Special Entry Darshan and rooms released on June 24, while October quotas release across 18–24 July 2026 (sevas from 18 July; Angapradakshinam tokens and SRIVANI trust darshan on 23 July; ₹300 Special Entry and rooms on 24 July). If you missed a paid slot, our guide to the TTD September quota release dates explains how each pool opens and clears within minutes.
The ₹300 Special Entry Darshan remains the fastest paid route, and each ticket includes two laddus as prasadam. Children below 12 enter free, but they still need ID at the queue. For the exact steps and monthly chart, see our walkthrough of the Tirumala ₹300 special entry darshan procedure. Carry the original ID used at booking, since biometric checks are enforced at queue entry.
Can’t Travel? Watch the Processions Live
If the dates or crowds do not work for you, TTD’s own SVBC channel live-telecasts the vahana sevas, including Garuda Seva. You can follow the stream through the official TTD website. It is not the same as standing in the Mada streets. Still, it lets family elders share the darshan from home.
How to Reach Tirumala for Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026
Tirumala sits atop the Seven Hills at about 3,000 feet, and the base town of Tirupati is the gateway. The nearest airport is Tirupati (Renigunta), roughly 40 km away, with flights from Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Tirupati railway junction is a major hub, with trains from across South India.
From Tirupati, APSRTC buses climb the Alipiri ghat road to Tirumala every few minutes, and shared taxis run the same route. Fit pilgrims can also walk the traditional Alipiri Mettu or Srivari Mettu footpaths. Because festival traffic builds quickly, reach Tirumala the evening before your darshan slot. Cutting it fine on the day itself often backfires.
What Seasoned Pilgrims Do Differently
The biggest mistake families make is trying to cover every vahana across nine days. One darshan plus one key procession, usually Garuda Seva, is a fuller experience than an exhausting marathon. Pick your target day first, then build travel and stay around it.
A quick safety word matters here, because Brahmotsavam is physically demanding. Crowds are dense, and you will stand and walk for hours. September heat can tire elderly pilgrims, pregnant women, and young children.
Carry water, any regular medicines, and a light shawl for cold early mornings. Agree on a meeting point in advance, since mobile networks get overloaded. If a family member has a heart or mobility condition, choose a calmer day rather than the Garuda Seva crush, and speak to a doctor before a strenuous climb or a long fast.
Stay close to the bus stand or CRO area, so walking distance stays short. Keep your hands free with only essentials in a small bag. Large bags, leather items, and electronics are restricted near the temple, so leave them at your room.
Before You Plan Your Visit
The rare twin Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026 gives devotees two shots at the same grace. Treat the September and October festivals as separate trips, each with its own booking window. Lock your priority day early, book only through the official TTD portal, and reach a day ahead to beat the traffic. Above all, confirm the final day-wise timings on TTD’s site before you travel, because schedules can shift by a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Srivari Brahmotsavam 2026 at Tirumala?
The annual Salakatla Brahmotsavam runs September 15 to 23, 2026. The Navaratri Brahmotsavam runs October 12 to 20, 2026. Both are full nine-day festivals, held because 2026 is an Adhika Masa year.
On which date is Garuda Seva in 2026?
Garuda Seva falls on September 19 during the annual festival and again on October 16 during the Navaratri festival. It is held on the fifth evening of each Brahmotsavam and draws the largest crowds of all nine days.
Why are there two Brahmotsavams in 2026?
Because 2026 has an Adhika Masa, an extra lunar month, TTD holds the Salakatla and Navaratri Brahmotsavams separately. In normal years the two celebrations merge into one nine-day festival.
When is Rathotsavam and Chakra Snanam?
In the annual festival, Rathotsavam (the wooden car festival) falls on September 22, and Chakra Snanam closes the festival on September 23. For the Navaratri festival, Chakra Snanam falls on October 20, which is Vijayadashami.
Do I need a ticket to watch the vahana processions?
No. The vahana sevas move through the public Mada streets and are free to watch. You still need a darshan ticket or free token to enter the temple for the Lord’s darshan.
How do I book darshan for Brahmotsavam 2026?
Book only through the official TTD portal at ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in. Quotas open a few months before each festival. The ₹300 Special Entry Darshan and rooms clear within minutes, so log in early with your ID ready.
Is free darshan available during the festival?
Yes, free Sarva Darshan continues throughout Brahmotsavam. However, waiting times can cross 20 hours on peak days, especially around Garuda Seva. Plan for long queues, or choose a quieter day.
Can I attend both Brahmotsavams in 2026?
Yes. The September and October festivals are separate events with their own dates. Devotees who wish to can witness both, including two Garuda Sevas in the same year.
Last reviewed: July 17, 2026
