The annual Alpashi festival at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple will conclude today with the ceremonial lowering of the temple flag. The grand Aarattu procession will take place this evening at the Shankhumugham beach. The procession is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM.
This marks the end of the 10-day celebration, culminating in the traditional Aarattu (holy dip) ritual. Following the evening Deeparadhana (lamp lighting) at the sanctum sanctorum, the idols of Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Narasimha, and Lord Krishna will be taken out on the Garuda Vahana, officially commencing the procession. Idols from neighboring temples, including Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, Vaduvoth Mahavishnu Temple, Arakathu Devi Temple, and the Palkulangara Udayeswaram Mahavishnu Temple, will also join at Padantharennada before the procession heads to Vallakkadavu and proceeds to Shankhumugham beach for the ritual bath.
The royal traditions of Travancore are showcased in the procession, accompanied by elephants, mounted horse guards, and musical performances by police and military bands. Various cultural performances add to the grandeur of the event. The procession will return to the temple by 9 PM, marking the formal conclusion of this year’s Alpashi festival.
In connection with the event, the Thiruvananthapuram Airport will close partially from 4 PM to 9 PM, with travelers advised to check updated schedules with their respective airlines. The City Traffic Police have also issued special traffic regulations from 3 PM to 10 PM. Roads from Vazhappally Junction to Mithranandapuram, Fort School, West Nada to Enchakkal, Vallakkadavu, and Aarattu Gate will be subject to restrictions, with parking prohibited on both sides of these roads. Illegally parked vehicles will be towed, and legal actions will be taken as necessary.
