Nellore: Elaborate Arrangements For Vaikunta Ekadashi At Talpagiri Temple

Nellore: Ahead of the annual Vaikunta Ekadashi festival scheduled for December 30, elaborate arrangements are being made at the historic Talpagiri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Nellore, popularly known as “Uttara Srirangam,” on the banks of the sacred Penna river, to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage for devotees.

With a large influx of pilgrims expected, all concerned departments have been directed to focus on crowd management, sanitation, security, power supply and basic amenities. Special emphasis has been placed on preventing overcrowding and stampede-like situations through coordinated safety measures.

Authorities estimate that around 50,000 devotees will visit the temple on Vaikunta Ekadashi day, followed by ten days of Uttara Dwara Darshan. A comprehensive security plan has been prepared, including the deployment of 493 police personnel. Arrangements have also been made to ensure uninterrupted power supply and crowd control in case numbers exceed expectations.

State municipal administration and urban development minister Dr Ponguru Narayana reviewed the arrangements and instructed officials to ensure the festival is conducted peacefully and without inconvenience to devotees.

For the first time, ₹200 Sheeghra (special) darshan tickets are being made available online. Temple executive officer Alla Srinivasulu Reddy said flower decorations would be a special attraction this year.

“₹200 Sheeghra darshan tickets are available through an online quota from 6 am on December 26, 2025, until 10 am on December 30, 2025. Devotees can book tickets through the aptemples.org website or the AP Temples mobile application using net banking, UPI or credit cards,” he said, adding that arrangements have been made to ensure darshan within 45 minutes.

Temple hereditary archaka Kilambi Jagannadha Charyulu said darshan of Lord Ranganatha Swamy would commence at 4 am, with the public allowed darshan from 4.30 am on Vaikunta Ekadashi, which falls on December 30. Three separate queue lines are being arranged to facilitate smooth Vaikunta Dwara Darshan.

He said special abhishekams and religious rituals would be performed, and the idols of Lord Ranganatha Swamy along with His consorts, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, would be placed in the Mukha Mandapam for devotees’ darshan. Free prasadam will be distributed at the Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy shrine within the temple premises.