28 February 2026 – 9 March 2026
From Kodiyettam & Anayottam to the grand Arattu procession at Rudratheertham
Guruvayur Utsavam is the annual ten-day temple festival of Sri Krishna Temple, Guruvayur — one of the most loved Vaishnava shrines in South India. The festival is tied to the lunar calendar: Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) takes place on the Pooyam asterism in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, and Arattu — the concluding sacred bath — falls on the Uthram asterism in the same month.
For 2026, Kodiyettam falls on Saturday, 28 February 2026 and Arattu falls on Monday, 9 March 2026. The first day is famous for Anayottam — the elephant race — which determines the temple elephant that carries the deity through the festival. The closing day features the grand procession to Rudratheertham, the temple tank.
Across the ten days, the temple celebrates with Sahasrakalasha Abhishekam, daily Sreebhootha Bali processions, Krishnanattam performances at the koothambalam, Carnatic music, Chenda Melam ensembles, and the Pallivetta (symbolic royal hunt) night procession.
Indicative schedule based on the temple's traditional 10-day ritual sequence. Exact times are announced annually by Guruvayur Devaswom.
The festival begins at sunset with the ceremonial hoisting of the golden flag on the kodimaram (flag staff). The Tantri performs the rites and the festival deity Lord Krishna is consecrated for the ten days. Anayottam (elephant race) is held on the day around the temple before Kodiyettam.
Sreebhootha Bali processions on caparisoned elephants encircle the temple morning and night. Devotees throng for special darshan, vazhipads and Krishnanattam performances at the koothambalam.
Carnatic music kacheris, Chenda Melam ensembles, and Krishnanattam performances by the Devaswom troupe. Special offerings (vazhipad) like Udayasthamana Pooja are accepted on advance booking.
Traditional eight-day Krishnanattam cycle continues — the dance-drama narrates Lord Krishna's avataram, balyam, leela and final ascent. Devotees consider witnessing the cycle highly auspicious.
Sahasrakalasha Abhishekam is one of the most sacred offerings of Utsavam — sanctified water from 1,000 kalashams is poured over the idol. The temple is decorated with extra lights and floral arrangements.
Evening procession of caparisoned elephants holding lit traditional lamps (deepa aradhana) — a visually spectacular event for pilgrims and photographers.
Recognition of traditional service-holders. Daily Seeveli and night Aana Ezhunnallippu continue with growing crowds as Arattu approaches.
Late-night ceremonial "royal hunt" procession in which Lord Krishna symbolically hunts evil. Elephants, melam ensembles and thousands of devotees follow the deity in procession.
Final cultural programs. Bhajans through the night. Devotees prepare for the grand Arattu procession the next day to Rudratheertham (the sacred temple tank).
The festival concludes with the Arattu procession to Rudratheertham. The utsava-vigraham is given a ritual sacred bath in the tank, accompanied by Pancha Vadyam, Chenda Melam, and the largest elephant procession of the festival. The Kodiyirakkam (flag-lowering) follows.
The flag-hoisting that opens the festival, conducted by the Tantri at sunset on day 1. The deity is now "in festival mode" for the next ten days.
The famous "elephant race" around the outer compound. The winning elephant earns the honour of carrying the deity in the daily processions.
Sanctified water from 1,000 kalashams is poured over the idol — one of the most auspicious abhishekam offerings of the year.
Lamp-lit elephant processions in the evenings; an unforgettable sight as hundreds of oil lamps flicker against ornate caparisons.
A late-night symbolic "royal hunt" procession in which Lord Krishna ritually conquers evil, on day 8.
The closing day's grand procession to Rudratheertham tank, with caparisoned elephants and full Pancha Vadyam ensemble.
Devaswom guest houses and private hotels around the temple book out months in advance for Utsavam, especially for the Arattu weekend. Reserve at least 6–8 weeks ahead.
See accommodation options →Guruvayur is well connected by train (Guruvayur Railway Station, 1 km), KSRTC bus stand, and from Cochin International Airport (~80 km, 2 hours by road).
Travel guide →Men: dhoti / mundu, bare chest (or shawl). Women: saree, salwar, or skirt-blouse. Western attire, shirts and trousers are not permitted inside the sanctum sanctorum.
Reach by 3:30–4:00 AM for Nirmalya Darshan. Avoid 9 AM – 1 PM on Arattu day — that's peak crowd. The Pallivetta night procession (day 8) is the photographer's favourite.
The 2026 Guruvayur Utsavam (Utsavam) runs for 10 days from 28 February 2026 (Kodiyettam / flag hoisting and Anayottam) to 9 March 2026 (Arattu — the concluding sacred bath procession). The festival is fixed by the Pooyam asterism in the Malayalam month of Kumbham.
Anayottam is the famous "elephant race" held on the morning of the first day of Utsavam. Caparisoned temple elephants run a short course around the outer compound (Chuttambalam) — the elephant that reaches first is honoured to carry the lord during the festival processions.
Arattu (literally "sacred bath") is the concluding day of Utsavam. The utsava-vigraham (festival idol) is carried in a grand procession of caparisoned elephants and traditional musicians to Rudratheertham — the temple tank — where ritual bathing rites are performed.
Yes. Darshan continues throughout Utsavam, but queues are far longer than normal days, especially on Arattu day and Sahasrakalasham day. Pilgrims are advised to start early (3:00–4:30 AM) for Nirmalya darshan and to book Devaswom accommodation in advance.
Devaswom guest houses (Sreevalsam, Panchajanyam, Kausthubham) accept advance bookings — they fill up months ahead for Utsavam dates. Many private hotels and dharmashalas around the temple are also available. See our accommodation guide for options and contacts.
The festival lasts 10 days from Kodiyettam to Arattu. The Pallivetta night procession is on day 8, and Arattu — the most attended day — is on the 10th day.
From Ekadasi to Ashtami Rohini, the temple celebrates throughout the year.