Two major festivals are being celebrated every year which were introduced and traditionally celebrated right from the tenure of Bhakta Ramadas.

Vaikunta Ekadasi

A religious festival that attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the country to the famous temple at Bhadrachalam is celebrated in either December or January during ‘Dhanur Masam,’ on the day of either Pushya or Margasira Shuddha Ekadasi. The ten-day festival, called Adhyayanotsavams and Dasavatara Mahotsavams (celebrating the ten incarnations of Sri Maha Vishnu), precedes the Vaikunta Ekadasi fete.

On Dasami day, the colourful Teppotsavam is a special attraction for devotees. The deities of Rama and his consort Sita are taken on rounds on the holy river Godavari in a well-decorated “Hamsavahana” (a swan-shaped motor launch), amid a display of fireworks and stunning illumination.

On the auspicious Vykuntha Ekadasi day, in the early hours, exactly at 5 am, the Vykuntha Dwarams at the Northern Gate are opened for darshan to devotees. The devotees believe that they will attain salvation after having Vykuntha Dwara darshan. This holy festival attracts lakhs of pilgrims.

Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavams

Another major festival, Sri Rama Navami (the most popular one at Bhadrachalam), is celebrated every year on Chaitra Shuddha Navami, on the auspicious Punarvasu—Janma Nakshatra (birth star) of Lord Sri Rama. The Kalyanamahotsavam of Sri Rama with his consort Sita is celebrated on this holy occasion, which falls either in the last week of March or the first week of April.

This divine festival is celebrated in a resplendent manner, with priests chanting hymns in the Kalyanamantapam, which is adorned with richly engraved and exquisite sculptures depicting events from our Itihasas and Puranas. The venue, near the stadium, attracts lakhs of devotees who congregate to witness the festivities with great devotional spirit and to fulfill their vows for favors received or sought.

The Kalyanamahotsavam is celebrated on this holy occasion between 10 am and 12:30 pm, with the sacred Talambralu being showered on the deities exactly at 12 noon. This Sri Rama Navami festival is broadcast by All India Radio and telecast through Doordarshan on the festive day from 10 am to 12 noon. It is the only festival that is covered live by Akashvani and Doordarshan throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh.