Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is fully geared to observe the grand twin-day annual event of Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dwadasi at the abode of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala on Dec 23 and 24.
All the departments under TTD were actively involved in arrangements to provide Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam to pilgrims for 10 days starting from Dec 23. After the morning rituals, Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam would commence from 1:45am that day.
According to TTD executive officer AV Dharma Reddy, TTD has released special entry darshan, slotted sarva darshan, Srivani and virtual seva darshan tickets online for the pilgrims.
“With the aim of reducing the waiting time in queues, arrangements have been made to issue 4,23,500 Sarva Darshan offline tokens at all 92 counters in nine locations in Tirupati,” the EO said.
Since the Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens will be issued in Tirupati from 2pm on Dec 22, TTD has cancelled the slotted Sarva Darshan tokens for the same day’s darshan. Hence, devotees can go for Srivari Darshan only through the Vaikuntam queue complex that day.
Ticket counters have been arranged at Vishnu Nivasam, Srinivasam, Govindaraja Swamy Choultries, Bhudevi Complex, Ramachandra Pushkarani, Indira Maidan, Jeeva Kona High School, Rama Naidu High school in Bairagipatteda and ZP School in MR Palli. Special queue lines, barricades, drinking water, coffee, tea and snacks will be provided at these counters.
Meanwhile, the temple authorities are preparing to parade Lord Malayappa Swamy along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on Swarna Ratham (golden chariot) on Dec 23, the Vaikuntha Ekadasi day, between 9am and 11am.
On Dec 24, Vaikuntha Dwadasi day, the observance of Chakra Snanam, also known as Swami Pushkarani Theertha Mukkoti, will be held between 4:30am and 5:30am.
TTD has cancelled all Arjita Sevas and VIP break darshan in view of the ten-day festivities. As in the past, this time too, VIPs and their family members will be given Srivari Darshan in a limited manner. However, no recommendation letter will be accepted during these ten days, the TTD has made clear.
