Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is gearing itself up in a big way for the smooth conduct of Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dwadasi (the most important Vaishnavite festivals), which is slated for December 18 and 19. As the TTD anticipates a huge turnout of nearly two lakh pilgrims, the temple management has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth stay and Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam for them.
As part of the arrangements, the spacious Narayanagiri Gardens, which is situated opposite the Vaikuntam queue complex, has been spruced up with 16 temporary sheds and divided into 10 sectors to provide shelter for pilgrims instead of making them stand in the queue lines for hours together till their turn comes.
A total of 229 toilets, including 128 for women and 101, for men have been constructed here.
In addition, the galleries in the four mada streets encircling the hill shrine have been divided into 16 sectors and as many as 14 sheds have been set up here to accommodate 40,000 pilgrims against inclement weather conditions.
About 176 toilets for women and 164 toilets for men have been constructed here.
The temple management has deployed 2,500 Srivari Sevaks along with Devasthanam staff to serve annaprasadam and water to pilgrims and also erected giant LED screens at various points to provide darshan timings and other relevant information to the pilgrims. Senior officers of the TTD were directed to supervise all the sectors for ensuring better service to pilgrims
