The Uthram Thirunal Mahotsavam 2026 at Sree Dharmasastha Temple, Bhuthakulam is one of the important annual temple festivals celebrated with great devotion in Kerala. The festival begins with Kodiyettu (flag hoisting) on March 23, 2026 and concludes with Arattu on April 1, 2026, during the auspicious Painkuni Uthram day. Devotees from different places visit the temple to seek blessings of Lord Dharmasastha (Shasta), who is worshipped here along with several other deities.
This temple is considered special because it has a rare Shaneeswara (Saturn) shrine with Navagrahas installed along with their consorts and vehicles, which is uncommon in Kerala temples. The temple also has shrines of Ganapathi, Shiva, Krishna, Bhadrakali, Nagaraja, Yakshi, Brahmarakshas, Madan Swamy, and other divine powers.
Festival Dates
Festival: March 23 – April 1, 2026
Malayalam Year: Meenam 09 – Meenam 18 (1201)
Kodiyettu: March 23, 2026
Arattu: April 1, 2026
The festival rituals are conducted under the guidance of learned Tantri Brahmasree Neelamana Unnikrishnan Namboothiri with traditional temple customs.
Day 1 – March 23, 2026 – Kodiyettu Day
The festival begins early morning with
Palliyunarthal
Nirmalya Darshan
Neyyabhishekam
Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam with 108 coconuts
Navakam, Kalasa Pooja, Kalabhabhishekam
In the evening
Spiritual discourse
Thiruvathira dance
Sopana Sangeetham
Kodiyettu ceremony
Nadhaswaram
Drama performance
From the second day onwards, Kazhcha Seeveli is conducted every evening.
Day 2 – March 24, 2026
Nirapara offering
Kaikottikali
Karaoke music program
Drama performance
Day 3 – March 25, 2026
Kanji Sadya
Utsava Bali
Kathakali performance
Thiruvathira & Kaikottikali
Day 4 – March 26, 2026
Mrityunjaya Homam for health and protection
Dance programs
Ganamela
Day 5 – March 27, 2026
Utsava Bali
Ottanthullal
Dance festival
Stage show
Day 6 – March 28, 2026
Pulluvan Pattu at Nagaru Kavu
Noorum Paal ritual
Dance festival
Live music performance
Day 7 – March 29, 2026
Pongala offering
Utsava Bali
Classical music & dance programs
Fusion music performance
Day 8 – March 30, 2026
Ottanthullal
Dance programs
Golden costume procession (Thanga Anki Ghoshayatra)
Traditional percussion and floats
Day 9 – March 31, 2026
Utsava Bali
Nadhaswaram concert
Pallivetta
Kalam Ezhuthu & Pattu
Day 10 – April 1, 2026 – Painkuni Uthram / Arattu
The final day is the most important.
Urul procession
Angi Charthal
Arattu procession with elephants, Panchavadyam, and Chenda Melam
Nedumkuthira
Arattu
Kodiyirakku
Orchestra
The festival ends with Arattu and Kodiyirakku, marking the completion of the Uthram festival.
Contact
Sree Dharmasastha Temple, Bhuthakulam
Phone: 9544517700, 9497631877