മഹാശിവരാത്രി 2026 ഫെബ്രുവരി 15-ന്, തിരുനാളും തിരുവുത്സവം 2026 മാർച്ച് 8 മുതൽ 17 വരെ തിടനാട് മഹാക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ ആചരിക്കുന്നു.
മഹാശിവരാത്രിയും തിരുവുത്സവവും 2026 തിടനാട് മഹാക്ഷേത്രം കോട്ടയം | Maha Shivarathri & Thiruvutsavam 2026 Thidanadu Maha Temple Kottayam
Thidanad Maha Temple in Kottayam comes alive every year with the grand celebration of Maha Shivarathri and Thidanad Thiruvutsavam, a festival that draws devotees from across Kerala and beyond. This sacred temple dedicated to Lord Shiva along with subsidiary deities like Sree Krishna and Sree Narasimha, hosts elaborate rituals, cultural performances and traditional music that make this festival a vibrant spiritual and cultural experience.
The festival begins with Maha Shivarathri on February 15, 2026, a day devoted to intense worship of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts, participate in special poojas and offer prayers through the night. The temple reverberates with devotional chants, purana parayanams and the resonant sounds of nadhaswaram and thavil, creating a profound atmosphere of devotion and spiritual energy. Key rituals include Abhishekam, Ushapooja, Panchari Pooja, and Sreebali, each performed with meticulous adherence to traditional temple customs.
The Thiruvutsavam, held from March 8 to March 17, 2026 is the main highlight of the festival season. It features ten days of vibrant celebrations beginning with Kodiyettam and culminating in the grand Aarattu. During these days, devotees witness various classical and folk art performances including Thiruvathira, Kathakali, Nadanpattu, Panchavadyam and cultural fusion programs. Special programs for children, devotional music concerts and community participation add to the festive spirit.
Apart from the rituals, the temple organizes elaborate arrangements for devotees including prasadam, guided darshan timings, and cultural processions with elephants, melams and traditional Thalappoli ceremonies. The festival is also a time for community bonding as local families contribute towards temple development and the smooth conduct of festivities.
EVENTS/PROGRAMS
• 4:30 AM: Palliyunarthal (Deity Waking)
• 5:00 AM: Nadathurakkal & Nirmalya Darshanam
• 5:30 AM: Abhishekam
• 5:45 AM: Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam
• 6:00 AM: Ushapooja, Ethrutha Pooja, Panthiradi Pooja
• 7:45 AM: Sree Bhoothabali
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali
• 9:00 AM: Purana Parayanam – Sri Sukumaran Nair, Mannuthundathil
• 9:30 AM: Narayaneeya Parayanam – Munnumoorthi Narayaneeya Samithi, Thidanad
• 10:00 AM: Bhaktiganamela (Devotional Singing)
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 5:30 PM: Thiruvathira Dance
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 7:15 PM: Cultural Dance – Chidambaram School of Dance, Katappana
• 8:30 PM: Kapalavarav / Folk Mega Show – Kollam Mulla Creations
• 11:30 PM: Mahashivarathri Pooja & Pushpalankaram
08-03-2026 (Monday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 1 (Kodiyettam)
• 4:30 AM: Palliyunarthal
• 5:00 AM: Nadathurakkal & Nirmalya Darshanam
• 5:15 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 5:30 AM: Ganapathi Homam
• 5:45 AM: Ushapooja, Ethrutha Pooja, Panthiradi Pooja
• 7:45 AM: Sree Bhoothabali
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali with Special Nadhaswaram & Thavil
• 9:00 AM: Narayaneeya Parayanam – Kottayam Narayaneeya Samithi
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 5:30 PM: Thiruvathira – Poornashree Thiruvathira Sangham
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 7:30 PM: Violin Fusion – Rohini R. Nair
• 9:30 PM: Kodi (Flag) Darshan at Temple
09-03-2026 (Tuesday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 2
• 6:00 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 7:00 AM: Mulapooja
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali / Nadhaswaram & Thavil
• 11:00 AM: Narayaneeya Parayanam / Cultural Performances
• 12:30 PM: Utsavabali Darshan (Deity Offerings)
• 1:00 PM: Prasadam Distribution
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 5:30 PM: Purana Parayanam & Kachashreebali
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 6:45 PM: Thiruvathira
• 7:15 PM: Dance & Cultural Shows – Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Fusion
• 8:00 PM: Music Concert / Vocal & Instrumental Programs
• 9:30 PM: Vilakku Ezunnallippu (Lamp Procession)
10-03-2026 (Wednesday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 3
• 6:00 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 7:00 AM: Mulapooja
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali / Nadhaswaram & Thavil
• 12:30 PM: Utsavabali Darshan (Mahadevan Nad)
• 1:00 PM: Prasadam Distribution
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 5:30 PM: Purana Parayanam & Kachashreebali
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 7:00 PM: Thiruvathira – Umamaheswari Thiruvathira Kali Sangham, Thampalakkad
• 7:30 PM: Bale Dance – Poonjar Devakala
• 9:30 PM: Vilakku Ezunnallippu
11-03-2026 (Thursday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 4
• 6:00 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali
• 12:00 PM: Bhaktiganasudha
• 12:30 PM: Avatharanam – Warriors Voice, Pala
• 1:00 PM: Utsavabali Darshan (Sreekrishnan Nad)
• 1:00 PM: Prasadam Distribution
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 5:30 PM: Kachashreebali
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 6:45 PM: Dance – Sri Narayan Samithi, Chittadi
• 7:15 PM: Veeranattam – Various Teams
• 9:30 PM: Vilakku Ezunnallippu
• 6:00 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali
• 11:00 AM: Narayaneeya Parayanam – Sri Krishna Narayaneeya Samithi, Poonjar
• 12:30 PM: Utsavabali Darshan (Mahadevan Nad)
• 1:00 PM: Prasadam Distribution
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 6:45 PM: Thiruvathira – Cheruvallikavu Thiruvathira Sangham
• 7:15 PM: Nrithasandhya – Nadya Kalakshetram, Thidanad
• 8:00 PM: Sangeetalahari – Jayan Enthayar
• 9:30 PM: Vilakku Ezunnallippu
13-03-2026 (Saturday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 6
• 6:00 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali
• 10:00 AM: Narayaneeya Parayanam – Munnumoorthi Narayaneeya Samithi, Thidanad
• 12:30 PM: Utsavabali Darshan (Sreekrishnan Nad)
• 1:00 PM: Prasadam Distribution
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal & Sopanam Sangeetham
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 7:00 PM: Ganamela – Bhimas Blue Diamonds, Alappuzha
• 9:30 PM: Vilakku Ezunnallippu
14-03-2026 (Sunday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 7
• 6:00 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali
• 12:00 PM: Chakyar Kooth Performance – Sri Hari Chakyar, Muzhikkulam
• 12:30 PM: Utsavabali Darshan (Devaswam)
• 1:00 PM: Prasadam Distribution – Aryan Devanand, Thannipalli
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 7:30 PM: Dance – Kuchipudi & Bharatnatyam
• 8:00 PM: Karaoke & Cinematic Dance – Dream Star, Thidanad
• 9:30 PM: Vilakku Ezunnallippu
15-03-2026 (Monday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 8
• 6:00 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 8:30 AM: Sreebali with Panchari Melam & Nadhaswaram
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 7:00 PM: Classical Fusion Program – Jayakerala Nrithakalalayam, Changanassery
• 9:30 PM: Valia Vilakku – Nadhaswaram by Kochi Ranganath & Party, Panchavadyam: Kalamandalam Sri Sunil Marar & Party
16-03-2026 (Tuesday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 9
• 5:00 PM: Nadathurakkal
• 5:30 PM: Kachashreebali
• 6:30 PM: Deeparadhana
• 7:30 PM: Bhajanamrutatarangini – Varahi Bhajans, Kannur
• 8:00 PM: Pallivetta Ezunnallippu – Special Nadhaswaram & Thavil, Panchari Melam: Kalamandalam Sri Purushothaman & Party
• 10:00 PM: Pallikurippu
17-03-2026 (Wednesday) – Thiruvutsavam Day 10 (Aarattu / Festival Closing)
• 6:00 AM: Pallikurippu Punarthal
• 7:00 AM: Purana Parayanam
• 9:00 AM: Aarattu Departure
• 12:30 PM: Aarattu Sadya (Festive Meal)
• 3:30 PM: Return of Deities – Cultural Procession with Melams, Mayilattam, Devanritham
• 5:30 PM: Thiruvathira – Shiva-Parvathi Thiruvathira Sangham, Chirakkadavu
• 6:30 PM: Bhajanamela – Sri Sumesh Ayirur & Party
• 8:00 PM: Reception – Panchavadyam, Thalappoli & Special Nadhaswaram/Thavil
• 10:00 PM: Kodi Irakku, Kalasham Deeparadhana, Athazha Pooja & Sreebhoothabali
For more details about the events please see the notices provided below
Temple Location
📍 Thidanadu Maha Temple, Thidanad, Kerala 686123.
Accessibility
🏙️ Nearest Town / Landmark / Junction: Thidanad Village, Kottayam – 500 m
🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Pala KSRTC / Private Bus Stand – 10 Km
🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station – 28 Km
✈️ Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport – 90 Km
