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Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam at Srikalahasti
Srikalahasti holds a 13-day Brahmotsavam around Maha Shivaratri, with flag hoistings, vahana processions, the chariot festival and the Lingodbhava darshan. Shivaratri day draws well over a lakh of devotees, so arjitha sevas pause and darshan runs through set queues.
What happens
- The Brahmotsavam opens with the Bhakta Kannappa Dhwajarohanam, and the Swamy-Ammavari Dhwajarohanam follows the next day.
- Through the festival, the processional idols of Shiva and Parvati go around the temple streets on vahanams, and the temple holds its kalyanams.
- After Shivaratri day, the Lingodbhava darshan runs in the small hours. In 2026 it was from 2 am to 6 am on 16 Feb, the morning after Shivaratri.
- In 2026 the Rathotsavam was held on the Monday after Shivaratri. Hundreds pulled the chariot ropes, and devotees sprinkled salt and pepper on the chariots to fulfil vows.
- Later come the Giripradakshina around the hills and, at the close, the Ekanta Seva. In 2026 these fell on 19 and 22 Feb.
Sources: deccanchronicle.com, en.wikipedia.org, deccanchronicle.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Where families go
- Timings and guide
Srikalahasti Temple
Srikalahasti
Maha Shivaratri is this Vayu linga temple's main festival, celebrated with a 13-day Brahmotsavam of processions around the temple streets.
When to go
Maha Shivaratri 2027 falls on Saturday 6 March. In 2026 the Brahmotsavam opened five days before Shivaratri; the 2027 festival dates are not yet announced.
| Date | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Mar 2027Sat | Maha Shivaratri 2027 | Chaturdashi runs from 12:03 pm on 6 Mar to 1:46 pm on 7 Mar; Nishita puja is 11:59 pm on 6 Mar to 12:48 am on 7 Mar (Tirupati). |
Sources: drikpanchang.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Before you go
- RitualDo not plan a seva for the festival. In 2026 all arjitha sevas were suspended for the whole Brahmotsavam, and so were the Rahu-Ketu poojas inside the temple.
- RitualIn 2026 the Rahu-Ketu poojas in the mandapams outside the temple ran every day except Shivaratri itself. Do not fix a Rahu-Ketu pooja for Shivaratri day.
- Good to knowOn Shivaratri 2026 darshan ran from 2 am to 11 pm through three main queues. Gate No. 4 was a separate entry for people with disabilities and mothers with infants.
- BookingBook darshan, rooms and sevas only through the Devasthanam's official site and the AP Endowments portal it links to. Check there for festival changes before you travel.
- OfficialSrikalahasteeswara Swamy Devasthanam, official website
- OfficialAP Endowments department, temple services portal (Official)
Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.
Sources: deccanchronicle.com, srikalahasthitemple.org · checked 30 Oct 2026
Questions Families Ask
When is Maha Shivaratri 2027 at Srikalahasti?
Saturday 6 March 2027. The 13-day Brahmotsavam runs around it, but the temple had not announced its 2027 dates on 30 Oct 2026.
When is the Lingodbhava darshan at Srikalahasti?
In the small hours after Shivaratri day. In 2026 it ran from 2 am to 6 am on 16 Feb. The 2027 time is not confirmed; check with the Devasthanam.
How crowded is Srikalahasti on Shivaratri?
Very. The temple expected more than 1.5 lakh devotees on Shivaratri 2026, with darshan from 2 am to 11 pm through three main queues.
Can I do Rahu-Ketu pooja during the Brahmotsavam?
In 2026 the poojas inside the temple were suspended, while those in the outside mandapams ran every day except Shivaratri.
Plan your trip for Maha Shivaratri at Srikalahasti
Opens with this temple already added. See each day with darshan hours, drive times and rough costs.
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