1,500 devotees attend annual Teppotsavam festival in Visakhapatnam

The annual Teppotsavam (float festival) of Sri Venkateswara Swamy was held in the port channel off the port area on Sunday evening (June 28, 2026), drawing over 1,500 devotees as part of the Kalyanotsavam celebrations at the hill temple atop Srungamani Hill.

The processional idol of the deity, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, was carried in a palanquin to the waterfront and placed aboard a flower-decorated boat, which was taken through the port channel amid Vedic chants. Devotees followed in tugboats arranged by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority.

The procession, set against the backdrop of the working harbour with cargo vessels at anchor, drew onlookers who watched from Port Authority vessels moored nearby. Visakhapatnam South MLA Ch. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas participated in the event, which began at 5 p.m.

The Visakhapatnam Port Authority extended logistical support for the event, while the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) provided security along the waterfront, temple Executive Officer S. Srinivasa Rao said.

The Kalyanotsavam began on June 24 with Vighneswara Puja, Punyahavachanam and the installation of the sacred fire. The Kalyana Mahotsavam was performed on June 25, followed by the Garuda Vahanam procession on June 26 and a Pandita Goshthi and Mahadasirvachanam on June 27.

The celebrations will conclude on Monday (June 29) and Tuesday (June 30). On Monday, Purnahuti and Choornotsavam will be performed in the forenoon, followed by Samudra Snanam and Dhwaja Avarohanam in the evening. The concluding rituals on Tuesday include Abhishekam and Pushpayagam, followed by the distribution of teertha prasadam.