Plan your trip · Sringeri
What's on in Sringeri
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Sringeri — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Sringeri right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Sringeri
Sringeri's calendar runs through most of the year, with the busiest weeks in the clear, comfortable months and a quieter stretch in the heaviest rain. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Sringeri's calendar follows the temple. The biggest event of the year is Sharada Navaratri, when the Sharadamba temple is decorated, the goddess is dressed in a different alankara (form) each day, and a chariot procession, the rathotsava, usually goes along the main street every evening. The Jagadguru of the Peetham leads the celebrations.
Other important days include Shankara Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya, usually in April or May, and the major Hindu festivals marked at the temples. Most dates follow the lunar calendar and move each year, so check the Peetham's calendar and book rooms early if you plan your trip around a festival.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Sringeri
- Book a room early for Navaratri, as the town fills up.
- Wear traditional dress, as the temple dress code still applies during festivals.
- Arrive early for the evening chariot procession to get a good place to stand.
- Expect long queues for darshan and the prasadam meal.
- Do not take photos inside the temples, even during celebrations.
- Carry an umbrella, as Navaratri can fall at the end of the monsoon.
- Keep your belongings secure in the crowds.
Questions
Sringeri — FAQ
What is the biggest festival in Sringeri?
Sharada Navaratri is the biggest festival in Sringeri. For nine days the goddess Sharada is decorated in a different form each day, with special pujas and an evening chariot procession.
What happens during Navaratri at Sringeri?
Each day the goddess Sharada is dressed in a new alankara, such as Veena Sharada or Gajalakshmi. Special pujas are held in the temple, and a chariot procession usually goes along the main street in the evening.
When is Shankara Jayanti celebrated in Sringeri?
Shankara Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya, is usually celebrated in April or May. The date follows the lunar calendar, so check the matha's calendar for the year.
Is Sringeri crowded during Navaratri?
Yes. Navaratri is the busiest time of the year, with large numbers of devotees, long darshan queues and full rooms. Book early and arrive at the temple early in the day.