TIRUMALA, FEBRUARY 26, 2026: Tirumala, 26 February 2026: The annual Salakatla Teppotsavams at Tirumala grandly commenced on Thursday evening.
The Utsava deities of Sri Rama Chandra Murthy, along with Sita Devi, Lakshmana Swamy and Anjaneya, gave divine darshan to the devotees while seated on a beautifully decorated float adorned with flowers and illuminated with electric lights on the sacred waters of Swami Pushkarini.
Earlier at 6 PM, the procession of the Utsava deities passed through the four mada streets of the temple before reaching Swami Pushkarini.
On the first day, Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana Anjaneya Swamy circumambulated the Pushkarini thrice on the float, blessing the devotees.
The Teppotsavam was conducted in a festive spiritual atmosphere amidst Vedic Mantras, devotional music and auspicious sounds besides the rhythmic Govinda Nama chants by scores of devotees who converged to witness the Teppotsavams.
History of Teppotsavams:
The five-day annual Teppotsavams conducted at the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple are traditionally known as “Teppa Tirunallu.”
During these celebrations, the deity gives darshan to devotees while gracefully gliding on ornamented floats in the sacred Swami Pushkarini. The festival symbolises divine grace that protects devotees from being overwhelmed by the ocean of worldly existence. The term ”Teppa” refers to a boat or a raft.
Every year, the Teppotsavams are held from Ekadashi to Pournami during the Phalguna/Chaitra maasas.(February -March)
In 1468 AD, Sri Saluva Narasimha Raya constructed the ”Neerali Mandapam” at the centre of the Pushkarini and developed arrangements for the Teppotsavams.
His son, Pedda Tirumalayya, later undertook the renovation of the Pushkarini and, as recorded in inscriptions, separated the Swami Pushkarini and Varaha Pushkarini.
The 15th-century saint-poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya glorified the Teppotsavams of Tirumala in his compositions. Though the festival was discontinued for a period, it was revived in 1921.
TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra, Additional EO Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, CV&SO Muralikrishna and other officials participated in the first day event.
