Panguni Utsavam is one of the most important annual festivals celebrated at the sacred Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The festival is observed during the Malayalam month of Panguni (March–April) and is celebrated with great devotion, traditional rituals, and vibrant temple ceremonies.
The ten-day festival begins with the ceremonial Kodiyettu (flag hoisting), marking the commencement of the celebrations. During the festival period, special poojas, Vedic chanting, and traditional temple rituals are performed daily for Lord Padmanabha. Thousands of devotees gather at the temple to participate in the spiritual festivities and receive divine blessings.
One of the major attractions of Panguni Utsavam is the grand procession of the temple deities accompanied by decorated elephants, traditional Kerala percussion music, and temple art performances. The streets surrounding the temple come alive with devotional energy and cultural heritage.
The festival concludes with the famous Arattu ceremony, where the idols of Lord Padmanabha are taken in a magnificent procession to the Shangumugham seashore for the sacred ritual bath. Members of the former Travancore royal family traditionally participate in this historic procession.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is renowned for its majestic architecture, spiritual significance, and rich traditions.
Devotees visiting during Panguni Utsavam are advised to follow the temple’s traditional dress code and arrive early due to large crowds and special festival arrangements.