Flag Hoisting To Mark Start of Alpashi Festival at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The revered Alpashi festival at the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of India’s richest and most sacred shrines, will commence with a ceremonial flag hoisting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, between 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. This nine-day Hindu festival, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, draws thousands of devotees to the temple, known for its architectural grandeur and hidden vaults containing treasures valued in billions. The flag hoisting, a vibrant ritual marking the festival’s start, symbolises spiritual renewal and devotion, setting the stage for a series of traditional ceremonies.

Held annually in the Malayalam month of Thulam (October-November), Alpashi underscores Thiruvananthapuram’s cultural significance as a spiritual hub, with the temple serving as a focal point for Kerala’s religious heritage since its prominence under the Travancore royalty.

The festival will feature a sequence of rituals culminating in the grand aarattu procession at Shankhumukham Beach on October 30. Key events include the valiya kanikka ritual, a significant offering ceremony on October 28, followed by the pallivetta, a symbolic hunt ritual, on October 29. The aarattu, where the deity’s idol is ritually bathed in the Arabian Sea, marks the festival’s climax, attracting devotees and tourists alike to the scenic beachfront. These ceremonies, steeped in centuries-old traditions, reflect the temple’s role in preserving Kerala’s unique blend of spirituality and pageantry. The Alpashi festival also highlights community participation, with local authorities and institutions contributing to its seamless execution, reinforcing the event’s social and cultural importance in the region.

A cherished tradition saw the Poojappura Central Prison authorities present the festival rope to the temple, continuing a decades-long practice where inmates craft the rope used in the flag hoisting. Joint Superintendent Akhil S. Nair handed over the rope to temple manager N.K. Anilkumar and administrative officer A.G. Sreehari in a formal ceremony, symbolising rehabilitation through cultural engagement. This gesture, rooted in the temple’s inclusive ethos, underscores the festival’s role in fostering community ties. The rope, spun by inmates, is a testament to the prison’s rehabilitation programmes, which integrate vocational skills with spiritual contributions, earning praise for their social impact.

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The Alpashi festival’s meticulous planning ensures a blend of reverence and festivity, with the temple adorned in vibrant decorations and lit by oil lamps, mirroring Diwali’s glow. As Thiruvananthapuram prepares for this spiritual spectacle, security and crowd management measures are in place to accommodate the influx of visitors. The event not only celebrates Lord Vishnu’s divine presence but also reinforces the temple’s status as a cultural landmark, drawing global attention to Kerala’s rich traditions. With the aarattu set to conclude under the stars at Shankhumukham, the festival promises a week of devotion, unity, and timeless rituals, cementing its place in Kerala’s cultural calendar.

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