Tirumala Brahmotsavam 2026 Dates and Festivals List
The festivals that fill the hill with music, lights and devotees.
Garuda Seva night on the Mada streets
We saw our first Garuda Seva on the fifth night of Brahmotsavam. The Lord came out on the golden Garuda vahanam and lakhs of voices called Govinda together. We sat on the Mada street for hours and our kids still talk about it.
Below are the main festivals at Tirumala. Dates follow the Hindu calendar and change every year, so check TTD and our crowd page.
Quick answer: Tirumala Brahmotsavam is the biggest festival at Tirupati, nine days in September or October with Garuda Seva on the fifth night. In years with an extra lunar month, like 2026, there is also a Navaratri Brahmotsavam. Vaikunta Ekadasi in December or January is the next biggest.
Main festivals at a glance
| Festival | Usual month | Days | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Brahmotsavam | September or October | 9 | Garuda Seva on day 5 |
| Navaratri Brahmotsavam | October, in some years | 9 | In adhika masa years |
| Vaikunta Ekadasi | December or January | About 10 | Vaikunta Dwara darshan |
| Rathasapthami | January or February | 1 | Seven vahanams in a day |
| Teppotsavam | February or March | 5 | Float on Swami Pushkarini |
| Ugadi | March or April | 1 | Ugadi Asthanam |
| Pushpa Yagam | November | 1 | Flower offering |
Festivals follow the lunar calendar, so dates change every year. TTD announces exact dates.
Pick a festival for your family
From the festivals we have attended.
- 01
Want the grandest
Very heavy crowds.
Best choiceBrahmotsavam Garuda Seva - 02
Wish for Vaikunta darshan
Book special tickets early.
Best choiceVaikunta Ekadasi - 03
One day visit
Many vahanams in one day.
Best choiceRathasapthami - 04
With elders
Calmer than Brahmotsavam.
Best choiceTeppotsavam evenings - 05
Avoid the rush
Go a week after.
Best choicePost festival weekdays
How we plan a festival visit
Festival days need more planning than a normal trip.
Check the dates
Look for the TTD announcement of festival dates for the year.
Book early
Book darshan and rooms as soon as quotas open.
Know the changes
Some sevas and special darshans are paused on festival days.
Pick a spot
For processions, reach the Mada streets galleries early and stay seated.
Fix a meeting point
With huge crowds, agree on a place to meet if someone gets lost.
Stay an extra day
Plan a buffer day. Buses and queues are slow during festival rush.
What Garuda Seva night feels like
On the fifth night of Brahmotsavam, the Lord comes out on the golden Garuda vahanam wearing the famous Lakshmi haram and Makara kanthi. The Mada streets fill up from the afternoon itself, and TTD sets up galleries with water and food for devotees.
We go up a day early, stay in a TTD room and enter the gallery by late afternoon. Once seated, we do not move till the procession passes. Small children and elders should stay with one adult all the time.
If you cannot travel, the processions are shown live on the TTD channel. Many elders in our family watch it at home with a lamp lit in front of the TV.
Do and avoid
Do
- Carry water and light snacks
- Keep children close always
- Follow police and TTD staff
- Wear comfortable traditional clothes
Avoid
- Coming without a stay booked
- Pushing near the vahanams
- Carrying valuables in crowds
- Trusting agents for festival passes
Festival tips
What helped us enjoy festivals without stress.
Brahmotsavam day
- MorningVahanam procession
- AfternoonRest in room
- EveningSecond vahanam
- NightGaruda Seva on day five
Galleries
TTD sets up galleries along the Mada streets. Enter early for a good view.
Annaprasadam
TTD serves food widely during festivals. Eat on time to stay fresh.
Live telecast
Elders who cannot travel can watch processions on the TTD channel.
Learn the story
Read temple history to understand the vahanams.
- Biggest
- Annual Brahmotsavam
- Highlight
- Garuda Seva
- Vaikunta
- Dec or Jan
- Rathasapthami
- Jan or Feb
- Float
- Teppotsavam
- Dates
- Lunar calendar
Crowd safety. On Garuda Seva night the crowd is huge. Do not bring very small children or elders without a seated place. Book only on the official TTD website or app.
Related pages: Places to Visit · Padmavathi Temple · Srikalahasti Temple · Kanipakam Temple
Official sources: Official TTD website · TTD news (tirumala.org) · Brahmotsavam (Wikipedia)
Short answers devotees search for
September or October every year. Brahmotsavam in Tirumala runs nine days.
Annual Brahmotsavam plus Navaratri Brahmotsavam, as 2026 had an extra lunar month.
Govindaraja Swamy and Tiruchanur temples also hold their own Brahmotsavam festival.
TTD publishes the yearly Tirumala calendar with all festival dates.
Questions about Tirumala Brahmotsavam
What devotees ask us about Tirumala festivals.
What are Tirumala Brahmotsavam 2026 dates?
In 2026 the Tirumala Brahmotsavam was held in autumn, between September and October, with Garuda Seva on the fifth night. TTD announces the dates for each year a few months before in its festival calendar.
What is the Tirupati Brahmotsavam list of vahanams?
Each day has morning and night vahanam processions, such as Pedda Sesha, Hamsa, Simha, Muthyapu Pandiri, Kalpavriksha, Garuda, Hanumantha, Surya Prabha, Chandra Prabha, the Rathotsavam and Chakra Snanam on the last day.
When is Tirumala Brahmotsavam held?
The annual Brahmotsavam is usually in September or October and lasts nine days. Exact dates follow the lunar calendar and are announced by TTD.
What is Garuda Seva?
On the fifth night of Brahmotsavam, the Lord is taken out on the golden Garuda vahanam. It draws the biggest crowd of the festival.
What is Vaikunta Dwara darshan?
During Vaikunta Ekadasi, a special passage around the sanctum called Vaikunta Dwaram is opened for devotees for some days.
How to get tickets for Vaikunta Ekadasi?
TTD releases special quotas ahead of the festival. Watch the ticket release dates and book on the TTD website.
What is Rathasapthami at Tirumala?
On Rathasapthami the Lord is taken around on seven vahanams in a single day, so it is called a one day Brahmotsavam.
Is it a good idea to visit during festivals?
Festivals are beautiful but crowds are extreme. If you have elders or small kids, go on a calmer day. See best time.