Temples decked up for Vaikunta Ekadasi

HYDERABAD: Temples were decked up for the auspicious Hindu day of Vaikunta Ekadasi, which falls on Monday this year. Arrangements were underway to manage crowds and provide devotees with a hassle-free visit.

The famous Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Yadadri will open its north gate (Uttara Dwara) for the first time since the renovation was completed.

The temple’s executive officer, Geetha Reddy, said, “The Uttara Dwara will be opened at 7 am. The temple is being decorated and sound systems are also being arranged. There is no entry ticket or previous booking for the darshanam. We are expecting a large number of devotees.”

The TTD temples in Himayatnagar and Jubilee Hills, the Venkateshwara Swamy temples in Srinagar Colony, Charminar, and Chikkadpally, the Chilkur Balaji temple, Birla Mandir and the Jiaguda Ranganatha Swamy temple expectd to see a large turnout.

TTD assistant executive officer Jaganmohan Achary, said “The Himayatnagar TTD temple will be open for darshanam from 2 am and Jubilee Hills one from 3 am.”

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s wife Kalvakuntala Shobha will be visiting the Srinagar Colony temple at 7 am, said executive officer N. Lavanya. The temple will open for devotees after that, he said.

A member of the Balaji Seva Samiti temple in Charminar said that an abhishekam was scheduled at the Lord Venkateshwara Swamy temple at 3.30 am and a huge procession would be held at 6.30 am, after which the temple will open for Vaikunta Darshanam.

Temple authorities also advised devotees coming for darshanam to wear masks for their safety.