Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 Dates – Complete Guide
Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 Travel Guide: Exact Date, Vahanam Schedule, Darshan Plan, Costs, Booking Tips
Looking for Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026? Mark your calendar for 25 January 2026 (Sunday), when Tirumala hosts the “Mini Brahmotsavam” day with back-to-back vahanam processions and very heavy crowd movement. (Source: Drik Panchang Hindu calendar, January 2026 ; TTD-related coverage, January 2026 )
⚡ Quick Answer
Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 is on 25 January 2026 (Sunday). Plan to reach Tirumala by 24 January night, expect restrictions/cancellations around darshan flow, and use official booking only: https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in and https://www.tirumala.org. (Source: Drik Panchang, January 2026 ; TTD-related coverage, January 2026 )
📌 Key Takeaways
- ✅ Date:25 January 2026 (Sunday) (Magha Shukla Saptami).
- ✅ Core vahanam day runs: starts around 5:30 AM and goes till about 9:00 PM (expect timing shifts).
- ✅ Free darshan/privileged darshan impact: Slotted Sarva Darshan reported cancelled 24–26 January 2026; several privileged categories cancelled on 25 January 2026.
- ✅ Festival basis: Magha month Shukla Paksha Saptami tithi (Hindu lunar calendar), not a fixed Gregorian date.
- ✅ Official portals:https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in (booking) + https://www.tirumala.org (darshan info).
Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026: Overview (what You’re Walking Into)
Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 is that one day when the hill feels like it’s running on festival mode from pre-dawn to night. The big practical takeaway: you’re not just “going for darshan”… you’re entering a day where the temple town’s traffic, queue routing, entry points, and even darshan categories can change for crowd control.
News coverage around the 2026 event reported very large turnout (into lakhs) and crowd-management steps like cancellations of certain darshan categories. If you plan like a normal weekend trip, you’ll feel stuck. If you plan like a festival trip (buffers, backups, early arrival), you’ll be fine.
💡 Insider Tip
If your main goal is “peaceful darshan”, don’t choose 25 January 2026. Choose 27–29 January 2026 instead. But if you want the full festival vibe (vahanams, energy, crowds, music, movement), then 25 January is exactly your day.
Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026: Exact Date, Tithi Calculation, and Last 3-year Pattern
Exact date:25 January 2026 (Sunday).
How the date is calculated (simple version): Ratha Saptami is observed on Magha month, Shukla Paksha, Saptami tithi (the 7th lunar day in the bright fortnight). That’s why the Gregorian date moves every year.
Last 3-year pattern (for planning intuition):
- 2023: late January (Ratha Saptami around 27 January 2023 per location/time; many places observed on Jan 28 depending on tithi cutoffs).
- 2024: mid-February (15 February 2024).
- 2025: early February (04 February 2025) for Tirumala-focused coverage.
- 2026: back to January (25 January 2026).
So yes, 2026 being in January isn’t a “special change” by TTD. It’s just the lunar calendar doing its thing.
Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026: Vahanam Schedule and Day Flow You Can Actually Follow
On Ratha Saptami at Tirumala, the day is known for a chain of vahanam processions starting around 5:30 AM and running till about 9:00 PM. Reported vahanams include Surya Prabha early morning, then Chinna Sesha, Garuda, Hanumantha, then evening vahanams like Kalpavruksha, Sarvabhoopala, ending with Chandraprabha.
A realistic way to use this schedule (not just read it):
- If you want the most iconic crowd moment, aim for Garuda Vahanam slot. Expect packed movement.
- If you’re with kids or elders, morning is easier on the body (cooler air), but it starts very early (5:30 AM).
- If you’re sensitive to crowd squeeze, skip the peak vahanam zones and watch from a safer spot. You’ll still “get it”.
⚠️ Common Mistake
People land in Tirupati at 10–11 AM on 25 January and think they’ll “quickly go up”. On this day, uphill movement + queue routing can eat hours. If you want Tirumala on Ratha Saptami, reach 24 January night. Your stress level will drop instantly.
How to Reach Tirumala for Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 (fastest Options + What Works on Festival Day)
Rule #1 for 25 January 2026: buffer your travel like you’d do for a wedding in your family. Festival day = delays.
- By flight: nearest airport is Tirupati. Plan to land on 24 January 2026 (morning/afternoon). If you land on 25th, you’ll spend your best hours in transit.
- By train: Tirupati railway stations get crowded during festival seasons. Keep at least 2–3 hours extra from station arrival to hotel/transport sorting.
- By road: buses, cabs, and self-drive all work, but festival routing can slow entry and parking.
Tirupati → Tirumala (the climb options):
- Bus (most common): frequent, simple. Best if you don’t want parking headaches.
- Taxi/cab: comfortable, but can get stuck in festival traffic routing.
- Walk (Alipiri / Srivari Mettu): only if you’re prepared physically and you’re fine with long walking time. For Ratha Saptami day, many prefer to avoid walking because you’ll already walk a lot inside Tirumala.
For official travel and pilgrim service menus, start at https://www.tirumala.org (Pilgrim Services → Transport / How to reach).
Costs for Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 (trip Budget You Can Copy-paste)
Your cost depends on two things: darshan route and stay. Here’s a clean budget breakdown you can plan with.
| Item | Typical Cost Range | What To Expect On 25 Jan 2026 | My Practical “Value” Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darshan (online booked categories) | Varies by category; ₹300 special-entry is commonly referenced | Restrictions/cancellations can apply during festival crowd control | Book if available, but keep a backup plan |
| Accommodation (TTD rooms) | Budget-friendly compared to private | High demand; sold-out risk | Best value if you get it |
| Accommodation (private in Tirupati) | Higher on peak dates | Festival premium likely | Good backup if Tirumala rooms don’t work |
| Food | Low if you use Anna Prasadam | Queues can be longer | Carry snacks + water to avoid hunger stress |
| Local transport | Bus is cheaper; cab costs more | Festival traffic delays possible | Bus is reliable for most pilgrims |
About the ₹300 special-entry ticket: multiple credible updates and coverage refer to ₹300 special-entry darshan tickets being issued/managed by TTD in different contexts (like Vaikunta Dwara Darshan planning). Treat ₹300 as the commonly used rate in recent TTD-linked reporting, but always confirm availability for your exact date on the official portal.
Only book via official portals:
- TTD booking portal: https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in
- TTD info site: https://www.tirumala.org
Booking Process for Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 (exact Steps + What Can Go Wrong)
If you’re booking anything online (darshan, room, seva), use https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in.
Step-by-step booking flow (works for most quotas):
- Create/login to your account on https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in.
- Pick the service (darshan / accommodation / seva) you want.
- Select date around your plan (for Ratha Saptami, many aim for 24–26 Jan buffer).
- Add pilgrim details exactly as per ID proof (name spelling mismatches cause entry problems).
- Pay and immediately download/save the ticket/receipt.
- Carry ID proof + ticket screenshot/print when you go.
💡 Insider Tip
On quota-release mornings, don’t refresh like a maniac. Log in early, keep your pilgrims list pre-saved, and try one clean attempt at a time. Fast fingers help, but “calm clicks” help more.
What can go wrong (and the fix):
- Sold out in seconds: try the next quota cycle, or shift your darshan date by 1–2 days.
- Payment success but no ticket: check your booking history inside the portal before paying again.
- Festival-day cancellations: this is real during big events. For 2026, reporting mentioned darshan cancellations around 24–26 January due to Ratha Saptami crowd control. Plan a backup day.
Darshan Strategy for 25 January 2026 (if You Still Want That Day)
Look, if your heart is set on 25 January 2026, plan it as a festival viewing day first and a darshan day second. Because the flow you can modifi by authorities anytime for safety.
- Arrive on:24 January 2026 (night) if possible.
- Start early: first movement begins around 5:30 AM.
- Keep expectations realistic: even with a ticket, time inside the system can stretch on festival days.
- Carry: water, simple snacks, a small towel, power bank, and one extra layer (mornings can feel chilly).
Dress code & devotee rules: follow the temple’s guidance from the official TTD site sections like Dress Code and Do’s/Don’ts on https://www.tirumala.org.
Where to Stay for Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 (best Choice + Safe Backups)
Best-case: you get a TTD room in Tirumala. You wake up close to the action and you don’t fight uphill travel on the main day. Start from TTD’s accommodation section via https://www.tirumala.org (Accommodation) and book through https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in when quota opens.
Practical backup (honestly the most stress-free): stay in Tirupati on 24 January, sleep well, then go up early on 25th. This works if you accept that you’ll spend time in transit, but you’ll get better rest and more food options.
Backup #2: if you’re late and everything is jammed, shift your “main darshan” to 27 January 2026 and keep 25th for vahanam viewing only.
My 10x Value Table: Pick Your Plan in 30 Seconds (cost + Effort + Festival Fit)
| Your Goal | Best Arrival Time | Stay Location | Cost Level | Effort Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| See vahanams + feel the festival | 24 Jan night | Tirumala (TTD room if possible) | Medium | High | Devotees who enjoy crowd energy |
| Darshan with less stress | 26 Jan evening or 27 Jan morning | Tirupati or Tirumala | Medium | Medium | Families, seniors, first-timers |
| Budget trip | 24 Jan afternoon | Tirupati budget stay | Low–Medium | Medium | Students, solo travellers |
| One-day rush trip | 25 Jan early morning | No stay / return same day | Medium | Very High | Only if you’re local + used to Tirumala |
Faq: Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026
What Is the Date of Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026?
Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 is on 25 January 2026 (Sunday).
Why Does the Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026 Date Change Every Year?
Because it’s fixed to the Magha Shukla Saptami tithi in the Hindu lunar calendar, not to a fixed Gregorian date.
What Time Do the Vahanam Processions Start on Ratha Saptami in Tirumala?
Reporting around the 2026 festival puts the start around 5:30 AM, running through multiple vahanams and concluding around 9:00 PM (timings can shift based on crowd and operations).
Is Darshan Cancelled During Tirumala Ratha Saptami 2026?
For 2026, coverage reported slotted Sarva Darshan cancelled from 24–26 January 2026, and several privileged darshans cancelled on 25 January 2026. Always check current alerts on official channels close to travel day.
What Is the Official Website to Book Tirumala Darshan and Rooms?
Use https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in for bookings. For official info pages (darshan types, pilgrim services), use https://www.tirumala.org.
Should I Visit Tirumala on 25 January 2026 or Shift by 1–2 Days?
If your top priority is festival viewing, go on 25 January 2026. If your top priority is smooth darshan, shift to 27–29 January 2026 and keep 25th optional for vahanam glimpses.
Any Trustworthy Place to Cross-check the Festival Date Quickly?
You can cross-check the date on a reliable Hindu calendar listing like Drik Panchang (shows Ratha Saptami: 25 January 2026) and compare with TTD updates/news coverage for Tirumala-specific arrangements.
📅 Last Updated: January 2026
