Alpasi Utsavam is one of the grand annual festivals celebrated at the sacred Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The festival is observed during the Malayalam month of Alpasi (October–November) and lasts for ten days with traditional rituals, cultural ceremonies, and majestic processions.
The festival begins with the ceremonial flag hoisting known as Kodiyettu, marking the start of the celebrations. Throughout the festival, special poojas and rituals are conducted for Lord Padmanabha, drawing thousands of devotees from across Kerala and India.
One of the major highlights of Alpasi Utsavam is the grand procession featuring beautifully decorated idols carried through the temple streets accompanied by traditional percussion instruments, Vedic chanting, and temple art forms. The concluding event, known as Arattu, is especially significant. During the Arattu procession, the deities are ceremonially taken to the seashore at Shangumugham for the sacred ritual bath.
The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha, is one of the most revered Vaishnavite shrines and among the 108 Divya Desams. Its stunning blend of Kerala and Dravidian architecture attracts pilgrims and tourists throughout the year.
Devotees visiting during Alpasi Utsavam are advised to follow the strict traditional dress code and arrive early due to heavy festival crowds and special security arrangements.