Alpashi Utsavam

A 10-day annual temple festival marking the ceremonial circumambulation of the presiding deity, Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy, in different Vahanas (ceremonial vehicles) each day. Highlights include the Pallivetta (symbolic hunt) ceremony and Kathakali performances at the temple's Natakashala. The festival concludes with the Arattu, a ritual sea-bath of the deity at Shanghumugham Beach, led by the head of the Travancore Royal Family with a procession of caparisoned elephants, armed guards and mounted police. The temple, one of the 108 sacred Vishnu shrines (Divya Desams) and among the world's wealthiest temples, is administered by a trust headed by the titular Maharaja of Travancore. Source: https://www.keralatourism.org/event/alpashi-utsavam-padmanbhaswamy-temple/70/