The Painkuni Mahotsavam 2026 at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple will be celebrated from March 24, 2026 to April 2, 2026 (Meenam 10 – Meenam 19, 1201 ME) with traditional rituals, grand processions, cultural programs, and the famous Aarattu ceremony at Shankhumukham beach.
This annual festival is one of the most important temple festivals in Kerala and is conducted under the leadership of senior Tantris and Namboothiri priests. Devotees from across Kerala and India visit the temple during these ten days to witness the sacred ceremonies.
The festival will be led by
Brahmashri Govindan Namboothiripad
Brahmashri Pradeep Namboothiripad
Brahmashri Satheeshan Namboothiripad
Brahmashri Saji Namboothiripad
Brahmashri Padmanabhan Namboothiripad
Festival Dates – Painkuni Utsavam 2026
- March 24, 2026 – Thrikkodiyettu
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March 31, 2026 – Valiya Kanikka
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April 01, 2026 – Pallivetta
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April 02, 2026 – Aarattu at Shankhumukham
During all festival days:
Utsava Sheeveli – 4:30 PM
Utsava Sheeveli – 8:30 PM
Kathakali – 10 PM onwards at Natakashala
Cultural programs at East Nada, Thulabharamandapam, Sripadam
Day 1 – March 24, 2026 – Thrikkodiyettu
03:00 AM – Palliyunarthal
03:30 AM – Nirmalya Darshanam
06:00 AM – Usha Sreebali
09:00 – 09:30 AM – Thrikkodiyettu
10:15 AM – Mannuneer Koral
11:00 AM – Ucha Pooja
04:30 PM – Nada Thurakkal
06:15 PM – Deeparadhana
07:00 PM – Utsava Sreebali
08:30 PM – Utsava Sreebali
Evening cultural programs include
Thiruvathira, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Classical Dance, Kathakali.
Day 2 – March 25, 2026
Mulapooja
Kalashabhishekam
Utsava Sreebali – Anantha Vahanam
Evening dance and music programs
Day 3 – March 26, 2026
Kalashabhishekam
Utsava Sreebali – Kamala Vahanam
Bhajans, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam
Day 4 – March 27, 2026
Utsava Sreebali – Pallakku Vahanam
Carnatic Music, Dance, Thiruvathira
Day 5 – March 28, 2026
Utsava Sreebali – Garuda Vahanam
Mohiniyattam, Classical Dance, Bhajans
Day 6 – March 29, 2026
Utsava Sreebali – Indra Vahanam
Bhakthi Ganamela, Classical Dance
Day 7 – March 30, 2026
Utsava Sreebali – Pallakku
Bharatanatyam, Thiruvathira, Carnatic Music
Day 8 – March 31, 2026 – Valiya Kanikka
Special rituals include
Kalashabhishekam
Garuda Vahanam Sreebali
Valiya Kanikka
Velakali
Kathakali
This is one of the most important days of the festival.
Day 9 – April 01, 2026 – Pallivetta
Garuda Vahanam procession
Pallivetta ceremony
Special Sreebali
Cultural programs
Pallivetta symbolizes the royal hunt performed by the deity.
Day 10 – April 02, 2026 – Aarattu
Panchari Melam in the morning
Procession to Shankhumukham
Aarattu ceremony at sea
Festival conclusion
The Aarattu at Shankhumukham beach is the grand finale where the deity is taken in procession with royal traditions.
Cultural Programs During Painkuni Festival 2026
Every day performances will be held at
East Nada Stage
Thulabharamandapam
Sripadam Mandapam
Natakashala (Kathakali)
Programs include
Bharatanatyam
Mohiniyattam
Kuchipudi
Classical Music
Bhajans
Thiruvathira
Kathakali
Velakali
Importance of Painkuni Festival
Painkuni Utsavam is one of the two major festivals of
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The festival represents
Royal temple traditions of Travancore
Ancient Tantric rituals
Cultural heritage of Kerala
Grand temple processions
Thousands of devotees attend every year.
The Painkuni Festival 2026 at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple will be held from March 24 to April 2, 2026, featuring traditional rituals, daily Utsava Sreebali, cultural programs, Pallivetta, Valiya Kanikka, and the grand Aarattu at Shankhumukham.
Devotees are invited to participate and receive the blessings of Lord Padmanabha during this sacred annual festival.