Tirumala Pushpa Pallaki 2026: Dates, Procession & How to Watch

The Tirumala Pushpa Pallaki is on 17 July 2026 (Friday), from about 6 PM. On that evening, priests carry Sri Malayappa Swamy — the processional form of Lord Venkateswara — along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on a palanquin decorated entirely with flowers, along the four Mada streets that encircle the Sri Venkateswara temple. Viewing is free and open to everyone; no ticket or booking exists for this procession.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) confirmed the date in a press release issued on 5 July 2026. The Pushpa Pallaki takes place on the evening of Anivara Asthanam, one of the oldest annual rituals of the temple, which falls on 17 July this year. Because of the ritual, TTD has also cancelled four arjitha sevas for the day.

Pushpa Pallaki 2026: Key Facts

What Is Pushpa Pallaki?

Pushpa Pallaki literally means “flower palanquin”. Unlike the temple’s wooden and gold-plated vahanams, this palanquin is built up almost entirely from fresh flowers. Temple staff and florists work through the day weaving roses, jasmine, chrysanthemums, marigolds and seasonal blooms onto the frame, so that by evening the entire carriage appears sculpted out of flowers.

Sri Malayappa Swamy, the utsava (processional) deity of Lord Venkateswara, is seated on this floral palanquin with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. The deities themselves are adorned with ornaments and heavy garlands, and the palanquin is carried on the shoulders of bearers in a slow circuit of the temple streets.

The mood is gentler than the grand vahana processions. There is no towering Garuda or galloping horse vahanam here — the Lord glides at street level amid the fragrance of thousands of flowers, in what TTD describes as a pleasure ride. Many regulars consider it among the most beautiful processions of the Tirumala calendar.

Why July? The Anivara Asthanam Connection

Pushpa Pallaki is not a standalone festival. It is the evening celebration of Anivara Asthanam, which TTD observes every year on Karkataka Sankranti — the day the sun enters Karkataka (Cancer) and Dakshinayana, the six-month southern course of the sun, begins. This usually falls on 16 or 17 July; in 2026 it is 17 July.

The name comes from the Tamil solar calendar: the ritual is held on the last day of the Tamil month of Ani, just before the month of Adi (Ashada season) begins. “Anivara Asthanam” therefore means the ceremonial court held at the turn of the Ani month.

The morning ritual is one of the most symbolically rich in the temple. At 7 AM, Sri Malayappa Swamy is seated with His consorts on the Sarva Bhupala Vahanam in the Ghanta Mandapam before the Bangaru Vakili, and the Pedda Jeeyar Swamy offers silk vastrams to the deities. Then comes the heart of the ceremony: the temple’s key bunch (lachchana) is ritually presented to the Pedda Jeeyar, the Chinna Jeeyar and TTD’s Executive Officer in turn, and finally placed at the feet of the Lord — declaring that Sri Venkateswara Himself is the true owner of the temple, and everyone else merely administers it on His behalf.

Historically, the temple’s annual accounts opened on this day, a practice dating to the era of the Mahants. After the TTD Trust Board was formed, the financial year moved to March–April, but the ritual continues unchanged.

Having reaffirmed His ownership in the morning, the Lord surveys His town in the evening — on a palanquin of flowers.

Procession Route and Timings

TTD’s 2026 announcement puts the start at 6 PM. The procession emerges from the temple and makes a full circuit of the four Mada streets — the square of streets that surrounds the Sri Venkateswara temple:

• It first enters the East Mada street from the temple side.
• It then turns along the South Mada street.
• Next, it continues down the West Mada street.
• Finally, it completes the circuit along the North Mada street before returning to the temple.

The circuit typically takes one to two hours, moving slowly so devotees lining both sides of the streets get a long, close darshan. Since the palanquin travels at shoulder height rather than atop a tall vahanam, the view is more intimate than during the big Brahmotsavam processions.

To watch comfortably, be in position by about 5:30 PM. The stretch near the main temple entrance fills first; the West and North Mada streets are usually less crowded with equally good views. The exact start time can shift slightly with the day’s ritual schedule.

Tickets, and Seva Cancellations on 17 July

There is no ticket for Pushpa Pallaki. The procession moves through open public streets, and anyone present in Tirumala that evening can watch it free of cost. You do not need a darshan token, seva ticket or any booking to stand on the Mada streets.

However, the day does affect paid sevas inside the temple. Because of Anivara Asthanam, TTD has cancelled the following arjitha sevas for 17 July 2026: Kalyanotsavam, Unjal Seva, Arjita Brahmotsavam and Sahasra Deepalankara Seva. If you hold tickets for any of these on that date, watch for TTD’s refund or rescheduling notification through its official booking portal. For current seva rates and the full list, see our TTD darshan and arjitha seva ticket price list.

Regular darshan of the moolavirat inside the temple continues as usual on Anivara Asthanam day, subject to the normal queue and slot systems.

Planning a Mid-July Visit

The Pushpa Pallaki on 17 July 2026 falls on a Friday, so expect a somewhat larger weekend-adjacent crowd than a normal weekday — though nothing close to festival-season rush.

If your dates are flexible, the Pournami Garuda Seva follows on 29 July 2026 — the Ashadha Pournami, which is also Guru Purnima this year. A stay spanning both gives you two very different street processions: the Lord on a bed of flowers, and the Lord on His golden eagle. Looking further ahead, the grandest processions of the year arrive with the annual Brahmotsavam in September and October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tirumala Pushpa Pallaki date in 2026?

Pushpa Pallaki will be held on 17 July 2026 (Friday), starting at about 6 PM. TTD confirmed the date in its press release of 5 July 2026, as part of the Anivara Asthanam observance.

Do I need a ticket to watch Pushpa Pallaki?

No. The procession moves along the open Mada streets around the temple, and viewing is completely free. No ticket, token or booking exists for it. Darshan inside the temple, however, follows the usual systems.

Which deities ride the flower palanquin?

Sri Malayappa Swamy, the processional form of Lord Venkateswara, rides the Pushpa Pallaki together with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. The moolavirat (main stone deity) never leaves the sanctum; all street processions use the utsava deities.

Why is Pushpa Pallaki held in July?

It marks the evening of Anivara Asthanam, held on Karkataka Sankranti as Dakshinayana begins — the last day of the Tamil month of Ani, at the threshold of the Adi/Ashada season. The date therefore lands on 16 or 17 July each year, and in 2026 it is 17 July.

Which sevas are cancelled on 17 July 2026?

TTD has cancelled Kalyanotsavam, Unjal Seva, Arjita Brahmotsavam and Sahasra Deepalankara Seva for 17 July 2026 because of Anivara Asthanam. Ticket holders should watch TTD’s official booking portal for refund or rescheduling updates.

Is Pushpa Pallaki the same as Pushpayagam?

No. Pushpa Pallaki is the July flower-palanquin street procession held on Anivara Asthanam evening. Pushpayagam is a separate ritual in the Karthika month (October/November), performed after Brahmotsavam, in which the deities are worshipped inside the temple with tonnes of flowers.

Sources and disclaimer: Details are compiled from TTD’s official announcements — the Anivara Asthanam press release of 5 July 2026 on news.tirumala.org and the Pushpa Pallaki page on tirumala.org. Tirumala Tirupati Online is an independent pilgrim-information website and is not affiliated with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. For official confirmation, rely on TTD’s own channels: tirumala.org, news.tirumala.org and ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in.

Last updated: 13 July 2026.