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25 January 2026 Ratha Saptami at Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple, Tirupati: Seven Vahanams and Divine Grace
The Salakatla Ratha Saptami at Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple, Tirupati, will be celebrated on 25 January 2026 with the deity and His consorts parading on seven sacred vahanams. This festival, observed in the Shukla Paksha of Magha, honors Surya’s radiance and emphasizes renewal, discipline, and seva. Visitors can anticipate carefully managed darshan, devotional music, and a…
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Tiruchanur Ratha Saptami 2026: Sacred Vahana Sevas, Surya Prabha Darshan Timings, and Blessings
Ratha Saptami (Surya Jayanti) at Tiruchanur on 25 January 2026 will feature Sri Padmavati Devi’s procession on seven vahanams, beginning with Surya Prabha Vahanam darshan between 7:00 and 8:00 am IST. The day’s sacred rhythm traditionally includes Hamsa Vahanam and other vahana sevas that highlight purity, radiance, and dharmic virtues. The observance emphasizes health, vitality,…
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Govindarajaswamy Temple Adhyayanotsavams 2026: 24 Days of Divya Prabandham in Tirupati
The Adhyayanotsavams at Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Tirupati, will take place from January 18 to February 10, 2026, aligning with Magha Masam in the Telugu calendar. Central to this 24-day observance is the daily 5:30–6:30 PM recitation of the Divya Prabandham, a hallmark of Sri Vaishnava tradition. The festival preserves sacred hymnody, encourages disciplined study,…
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Kosuvaripalle Temple Brahmotsavam 2026: Dates, Key Rituals, and Visitor Essentials
The Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy temple at Kosuvaripalle will observe its 2026 Brahmotsavam from 19–27 January, with Ankurarpanam on 18 January. Dhwajarohanam on 19 January inaugurates the festival with solemn dignity, followed by the mid-festival highlights of Garuda Seva and Kalyanotsavam on 24 January. Radhotsavam on 25 January draws vibrant community participation through the chariot…
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Varuna Shashti 2026 Guide: Date, Rituals, and Significance of Invoking the Rain God
Varuna Shashti 2026 falls on January 24, coinciding with Magha Shukla Sashti. Observed prominently in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu during Magha masam, it honors Varuna, the deity of waters and rain. Devotees worship Varuna Dev with red flowers, chandan (sandal paste), and dhoopa dheepa naivedyam to seek timely rains, ecological balance, and prosperity.…
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Bhogi Pandlu Muhurtham 2026: Sacred Timings, Ritual Meaning, and Family Blessings on 13–14 January
Bhogi Pandlu (Bhogi Pallu) is a children’s blessing ritual integral to Makara Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with related practices recognized in Karnataka and Maharashtra. In 2026, Bhogi falls on 13 January and Sankranti on 14 January; families typically schedule the muhurtham on Bhogi morning according to the local Panchang. The ceremony involves showering…
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Shakambari Purnima 2026: Sacred Full Moon of NourishmentDate, Meaning, and Traditions
Shakambari Purnima (Shakambari Jayanti) falls on January 3, 2026, the Paush Purnima full moon devoted to Goddess Shakambari as the embodiment of nourishment and seasonal abundance. The festival is especially significant in South IndiaKarnataka, parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradeshwhere rituals center on offering greens, grains, fruits, and water to Shakambari Devi. It concludes…
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Chollangi Amavasya 2026: Experience the Sacred Godavari–Sea Confluence on Pushya Amavasya
Chollangi Amavasya in 2026 falls on January 18, aligning with Pushya Masa Amavasya, the No Moon day in Pushya masam. Observed at the sacred confluence where the River Godavari meets the Bay of Bengal (Bangala Khatham), the day invites reflection, gratitude, and ancestral remembrance. Devotees traditionally perform snana, sesame-based tarpan, deepa lighting, parayana, and daan,…
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Shattila Ekadashi 2026: Definitive Guide to Date, Tila Rituals, and Dharmic Unity (Shadtila/Tilda)
Shattila Ekadashi (Shadtila/Tilda/Tiladaana) in 2026 is observed on 14 January, Wednesday. It falls in Magh Krishna Paksha in the Purnimanta system and corresponds to Paush (Pushya masam) in the Amanta system followed in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. The observance centers on six sacred uses of sesame (tila), highlighting purification, charity, and devotion to…
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Sacred Gateways Open: Vaikunta Ekadashi at TTD Sub-Temples, 30–31 December 2025
TTD sub-temples across Andhra Pradesh will observe Vaikunta Ekadashi on 30 December 2025 and Vaikunta Dwadashi on 31 December 2025. Key participating shrines include Soumyanatha Swamy (Nandalur), Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy (Avulapalle, Somala Mandal), the shrine at Borragmanda (Sadum Mandal), Sri Konetiraya, and other TTD-managed temples. Devotees can anticipate the opening of the Vaikunta Dwaram,…
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Kanuma 2026: Date, Rituals, and Heartfelt Traditions of Sankranthi in Andhra Pradesh
Kanuma 2026, the third day of the Sankranthi festivities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, falls on January 15. The day centers on Govardhana Puja (Go puja), where cows and bulls are worshipped in gratitude for their role in agrarian life. Families decorate cattle, prepare offerings from the new harvest, and visit temples, recalling Sri Krishna’s…
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Makara Sankranthi at Arasavalli Temple: Sacred Sun Worship, Blessings, and Living Tradition
Makara Sankranthi at Arasavalli Temple is a radiant celebration of sun worship observed each January in Andhra Pradesh. Centered on Makar Sankraman, it features special Abhishekam and Archana to Lord Suryanarayana Swamy. Devotees hold that Darshanam of Suryanarayanaswamy on this day bestows health and prosperity. The temple’s serene ambience, Vedic recitations, and orderly darshan create…
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Sankranthi Bommala Koluvu: Meaning, Rituals, and Community Joy from Bhogi to Mukkanuma
Bommala Koluvu (Bommala Nomu) is a beloved Andhra tradition during Makara Sankranti that begins a day prior to Bhogi and concludes on Mukkanuma. The tiered display of dolls (koluvu padi) forms a narrative altar depicting deities, harvest life, and cultural scenes. Families invite women and girls for haldi-kumkum, share prasadam, and pass on stories to…
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Tirupati TTD’s Grand Vaikuntha Ekadashi Prep: Devotee-Friendly Queues and 10 Tons of Flowers
Tirupati’s TTD temples have initiated extensive Vaikuntha Ekadashi preparations to enhance devotee comfort and preserve sanctity. Special queues, protective sheds, and vibrant Rangolis are designed to streamline movement and uplift the worship experience. A remarkable floral display10 tons of traditional flowers and 1 lakh cut flowerswill enrich temple spaces with color and fragrance. These steps…
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Tirupati Sri Govindaraja Temple January 2026: Rohini Nakshatra Procession and Festival Guide
Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple in Tirupati opens January 2026 with a reverent highlight on Rohini Nakshatra: a 6:00 PM procession of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy with Rukmini and Satyabhama. This ceremonious observance, guided by TTD, invites devotees to begin the year with darshan, devotion, and cultural continuity. The iconography of Parthasarathy evokes the Gita’s ethical counsel…
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Andhra Pradesh Orders Probe into Alleged Forced Circumcision, Pledges Consent and Harmony
The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered an investigation into allegations of non-consensual circumcision of non-Muslims, following a representation reportedly made by former CBI Director M Nageswar Rao. The case engages core principles of bodily autonomy, informed consent, and medical ethics, requiring a transparent, evidence-based, and time-bound probe. By relying on constitutional protections and due process,…