Tirumala sees unprecedented turnout of devotees on Vaikunta Ekadasi
Update: 2025-01-10 16:57 GMT
TIRUPATI: Religious fervour gripped Tirumala as it celebrated Vaikunta Ekadasi, the most significant of the Sri Vaishnavite festivals, at the sacred shrine of Lord Venkateswara Swamy on Friday.
For devotees, it turned into an occasion of spiritual awakening, as Tirumala’s priests ceremoniously opened the doors of Vaikunta Dwaram, the celestial gateway at an auspicious time while following the customary rituals within the temple.
After the Dhanurmasa Kainkaryas, officials allowed Vaikunta Dwara darshan from 3:45 a.m., with VIPs receiving priority access as per the TTD's protocol system. The early VIP visitors included union minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and his family, AP speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, deputy speaker K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, and state ministers Vangalapudi Anita, K. Parthasarathy, S. Savita and Nimmala Ramanaidu.
TTD additional executive officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary said in line with the instructions from Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, priority has been given to common devotees from 7:30 a.m., earlier than the scheduled time.
Crowds at Tirumala turned out to be unprecedented, with the temple witnessing a massive influx of pilgrims from the early hours of Friday. The hill town echoed with devotees chanting "Govindaa... Govinda" in religious ecstasy. By evening, the Vaikuntam queue complexes, which have the capacity to accommodate over 35,000 pilgrims, became full. Over 55,000 devotees walked through the holy Vaikunta Dwaram and had darshan by 6 p.m.
The morning saw utsava deities of Lord Malayappa Swamy, flanked by His divine consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, riding their golden chariot in a grand celestial procession. The golden chariot, pulled by devotees, particularly women, went around the mada streets.
The temple premises, beautifully illuminated and adorned with an array of flowers, wore a beautiful look. TTD's special floral and illuminated displays of Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi Devi, and Viswam, mesmerised the devotees.
A donor-funded Ranganatha Swamy floral arrangement, created by Bengaluru florists under the Garden Department's supervision, drew particular attention.
TTD chairman B.R. Naidu and executive officer J. Syamala Rao praised the elaborate decorations that enhanced the festive atmosphere.
After the Dhanurmasa Kainkaryas, officials allowed Vaikunta Dwara darshan from 3:45 a.m., with VIPs receiving priority access as per the TTD's protocol system. The early VIP visitors included union minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and his family, AP speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, deputy speaker K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, and state ministers Vangalapudi Anita, K. Parthasarathy, S. Savita and Nimmala Ramanaidu.
TTD additional executive officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary said in line with the instructions from Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, priority has been given to common devotees from 7:30 a.m., earlier than the scheduled time.
Crowds at Tirumala turned out to be unprecedented, with the temple witnessing a massive influx of pilgrims from the early hours of Friday. The hill town echoed with devotees chanting "Govindaa... Govinda" in religious ecstasy. By evening, the Vaikuntam queue complexes, which have the capacity to accommodate over 35,000 pilgrims, became full. Over 55,000 devotees walked through the holy Vaikunta Dwaram and had darshan by 6 p.m.
The morning saw utsava deities of Lord Malayappa Swamy, flanked by His divine consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, riding their golden chariot in a grand celestial procession. The golden chariot, pulled by devotees, particularly women, went around the mada streets.
The temple premises, beautifully illuminated and adorned with an array of flowers, wore a beautiful look. TTD's special floral and illuminated displays of Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi Devi, and Viswam, mesmerised the devotees.
A donor-funded Ranganatha Swamy floral arrangement, created by Bengaluru florists under the Garden Department's supervision, drew particular attention.
TTD chairman B.R. Naidu and executive officer J. Syamala Rao praised the elaborate decorations that enhanced the festive atmosphere.