Tirumala and Tirupati Calendar December 2026: Tiruchanur Brahmotsavam, Dhanurmasam and Vaikuntha Ekadasi

Quick answer: December 2026 has three big events. The Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Karthika Brahmotsavam at Tiruchanur runs from 5 to 14 December, confirmed by TTD, with Panchami Theertham expected on 14 December. Dhanurmasam is expected from 16 December, when Andal's Tiruppavai replaces Suprabhatam at Tirumala. And Vaikuntha (Mukkoti) Ekadasi falls on Sunday 20 December, with ten days of Vaikuntha Dwara darshan expected from 20 to 29 December. TTD has not yet announced the Vaikuntha Ekadasi arrangements, token system or quotas, so everything except the Tiruchanur dates is expected - TTD will announce the official schedule.

Last checked: 9 October 2026.

December 2026 at Tirumala and Tirupati: date table

TTD has not yet published its December 2026 festival list, which usually comes out around the end of November. Only the Tiruchanur Brahmotsavam dates have been confirmed by TTD.

Tiruchanur Karthika Brahmotsavam, 5-14 December (official)

TTD JEO Dr A. Sharath reviewed arrangements on 24 September 2026 for the Karthika Brahmotsavam of Goddess Padmavathi at Tiruchanur, from 5 to 14 December 2026 (TTD news, 24 September 2026). Plans include queue lines, barricades, four holding points (mainly for Panchami Theertham), LED screens, medical camps, traffic management and electrical decorations, and TTD expects 15-20% more devotees than last year. Source: TTD News

The festival traditionally ends with Panchami Theertham, the Chakrasnanam in the Padma Sarovaram, and Dhwajavarohanam on the last day, which points to 14 December (expected - TTD will announce the official schedule). The 2026 vahana schedule has not been published. Our Tiruchanur Karthika Brahmotsavam 2026 guide explains the legend, the vahanams and the Sare offering from Tirumala.

Dhanurmasam: Tiruppavai in place of Suprabhatam (expected from 16 December)

Dhanurmasam is the solar month when the sun is in Sagittarius (Dhanus). It is especially dear to Sri Vaishnavas because of Andal and her Tiruppavai, thirty verses sung one a day through the month. At the Srivari temple, Tiruppavai is recited instead of Suprabhatam during Dhanurmasam, and Suprabhata Seva resumes after Makara Sankranti.

In 2025-26 Dhanurmasam began on 16 December 2025, Tiruppavai replaced Suprabhatam from 17 December, and Suprabhatam resumed on 15 January 2026 (TTD lists, as reproduced by Hindupad). Dhanu Sankranti 2026 falls on the morning of 16 December, so Dhanurmasam is expected from 16 December 2026 to 14 January 2027. Whether Tiruppavai starts on 16 or 17 December depends on TTD's notice. TTD also runs Tiruppavai pravachanams at hundreds of centres. At Srinivasa Mangapuram, Tiruppavai likewise replaces Suprabhatam and Suprabhatam tickets are not issued. The Adhyayanotsavam, the recitation of the Divya Prabandham, usually starts in the same period (19 December in 2025). Source: Hindupad All 2026 dates here are expected - TTD will announce the official schedule. For the day-by-day Tiruppavai schedule, see our Dhanurmasam 2026 guide.

Vaikuntha Ekadasi, 20 December 2026

Vaikuntha Ekadasi, also called Mukkoti Ekadasi, is the Ekadasi of Dhanurmasam on which, as traditionally told, the gates of Vaikuntha open for devotees. At Tirumala, devotees pass through the Vaikuntha Dwaram (Uttara Dwaram), the special passage around the sanctum that is opened only for this period. Read more about the significance in our Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 and Sorgavasal darshan page.

The Ekadasi tithi runs from 10:09 pm on 19 December to 8:14 pm on 20 December 2026, per Drik Panchang as cited by LatestLY, so the Ekadasi day is Sunday 20 December. In 2026 Ekadasi falls on a Sunday and Dwadasi on a Monday.

What to expect, based on TTD's recent pattern

TTD has not announced its 2026 dates, token system or quotas. The pattern in recent years has been:

• a ten-day Vaikuntha Dwara darshan starting on Ekadasi (expected 20-29 December 2026);
• a Swarnaratham (golden chariot) procession on Ekadasi;
• Chakrasnanam at the Swami Pushkarini on Dwadasi (expected 21 December 2026).

All three are expected - TTD will announce the official schedule.

How it worked last time (30 December 2025 to 8 January 2026)

The Federal (18 November 2025) reported the TTD board's decision to scrap offline tokens for Vaikuntha Dwara darshan, after the January 2025 stampede in Tirupati. Under the rules for the last season:

• darshan on the first three days (Ekadasi, Dwadasi and New Year's Day) was only by online e-DIP (electronic lucky dip) tokens;
• registration ran from 27 November to 1 December on the TTD website, the TTD app and the AP Government WhatsApp bot, with results on 2 December;
• there were no special counters, and only token holders were allowed on those three days;
• Special Entry Darshan tickets were suspended on the first three days and resumed from 2 January;
• on the remaining days, Sarva Darshan without tokens ran through Vaikuntham Queue Complex-2;
• a daily local quota of 5,000 tokens for Tirupati and Tirumala residents was offered online for three days from 6 January.

Source: The Federal Treat this only as a guide. The 2026 dates fall differently, so the e-DIP days and windows may change. Assume nothing until TTD's board decision, which is likely in November 2026. Our dedicated Tirumala Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2026 guide will be updated as soon as TTD announces the arrangements.

December darshan and accommodation quotas

TTD released the December 2026 quotas in September (TTD news, 12 September 2026):

• Arjitha Seva tickets (Suprabhatham, Thomala, Archana, Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana) for the e-Dip: opened 19 September, 10 am; registration closed 21 September, 10 am; payment until noon on 23 September.
• Kalyanotsavam and other sevas: 22 September.
• Anga Pradakshina tokens, SRIVANI tickets and free special darshan tokens for senior citizens, differently abled and chronically ill devotees: 23 September.
• Rs 300 Special Entry Darshan: 24 September, 10 am. Accommodation: 24 September, 3 pm.

Source: TTD News Vaikuntha Dwara darshan days may be handled separately, as they were last season. TTD news (26 September 2026) explained that 'Slot Unavailable' usually means the quota is full, not a technical fault. Source: TTD News Book only on TTD's official online booking portal or the official TTD app.

Late November into December: Deepotsavam and Pournami

The Karthika Parva Deepotsavam at the Srivari temple is expected around Karthika Pournami on 24 November 2026, not in December as in 2025 (Dekho Panchang gives Kartik Purnima as 24 November). Source: Dekho Panchang Some third-party calendars report that the December Pournami Garuda Seva may be dropped because of the Adhyayanotsavam. That is unconfirmed, so check TTD's December list.

For NRI devotees

December is a popular month for NRI family visits. If you are planning Vaikuntha Ekadasi darshan, watch for TTD's announcement in November and be ready to register online if an e-DIP system is used again. Remember that privileged darshans have been suspended on major festival days this year. If you are abroad, SVBC (Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel) traditionally broadcasts Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Tiruchanur Brahmotsavam programmes live. The dates on this page are India dates. Many diaspora temples hold their own Vaikuntha Dwara darshan on the local Ekadasi date.

Frequently asked questions

When is Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2026 at Tirumala?

Vaikuntha (Mukkoti) Ekadasi is on Sunday 20 December 2026. The Ekadasi tithi runs from 10:09 pm on 19 December to 8:14 pm on 20 December, per Drik Panchang as cited by LatestLY. TTD has not yet announced its 2026 darshan arrangements.

Will Vaikuntha Dwara darshan be open for ten days in 2026?

That is expected. In recent years TTD has opened the Vaikuntha Dwaram for ten days from Ekadasi, which would mean 20 to 29 December 2026. TTD will announce the official schedule, probably after a board decision in November.

How did TTD issue Vaikuntha Dwara darshan tokens last time?

For 30 December 2025 to 8 January 2026, darshan on the first three days was only by online e-DIP (electronic lucky dip) tokens, registered on the TTD website, TTD app or the AP Government WhatsApp bot. Offline tokens were scrapped. The 2026 system may differ, so wait for TTD's announcement.

When is the Tiruchanur Padmavathi Brahmotsavam in 2026?

From 5 to 14 December 2026, as confirmed by TTD's review on 24 September 2026. Panchami Theertham is expected on the concluding day, 14 December.

When does Dhanurmasam start at Tirumala in 2026?

Dhanu Sankranti is on the morning of 16 December 2026, so Dhanurmasam is expected from 16 December 2026 to 14 January 2027. Tiruppavai replaces Suprabhatam during this month. Whether it starts on 16 or 17 December depends on TTD's notice.

Can I still book December 2026 darshan?

TTD released the December quotas in September 2026, with Rs 300 Special Entry Darshan opening on 24 September. Check TTD's official online booking portal for remaining slots. Vaikuntha Dwara darshan days may follow separate rules.

Related guides

• Tiruchanur Padmavathi Karthika Brahmotsavam 2026
• Tirumala Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2026: Vaikuntha Dwara darshan
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in India
• Dhanurmasam 2026 and Tiruppavai schedule
• Tirumala and Tirupati calendar, November 2026
• Tirumala darshan tickets and quota releases
• Tirumala Venkateswara Temple

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

Only the Tiruchanur Brahmotsavam dates (5-14 December) have been confirmed by TTD (24 September 2026). Dhanurmasam, Vaikuntha Ekadasi arrangements and the other events are expected dates, based on the panchang and TTD's practice last season, as reported by the sources linked above. The quota schedule is from TTD news of 12 September 2026. Last checked: 9 October 2026. We will update this page when TTD announces its December and Vaikuntha Ekadasi arrangements.