TTD Readies Tirumala For 10-Day Vaikunta Dwara Darshan
In view of the expected influx of pilgrims, TTD has put in place special darshan, crowd-management and security arrangements : Reports
TIRUPATI: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has completed elaborate arrangements for the observance of Vaikunta Ekadasi and the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshan at the Tirumala temple, beginning on Tuesday.
Vaikunta Ekadasi is one of the most significant annual festivals at Tirumala, with devotees believing that passing through the Vaikunta Dwaram leads to liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Traditionally, the Vaikunta Dwaram is opened only on Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vaikunta Dwadasi. However, the duration was extended to 10 days in December 2020 to manage the heavy pilgrim rush, a practice that has continued since.
In view of the expected influx of pilgrims, TTD has put in place special darshan, crowd-management and security arrangements. As per the darshan schedule, Vaikunta Dwara Darshan during the first three days will be restricted to devotees holding pre-issued tokens. From January 2 to January 8, devotees will be allowed darshan without any darshan tickets, enabling pilgrims arriving without prior bookings to participate.
Devotees have been advised to compulsorily carry their Aadhaar card along with a printed copy of the token allotted through the e-dIP system. On Tuesday, devotees with time-slot tokens from 1 am to 11 am will enter through the Krishnateja entrance, those from 11 am to 5 pm through the ATGH entrance, and those scheduled between 5 pm and 10 pm through the Silathoranam entrance.
On Vaikunta Ekadasi, the Lord will give darshan to devotees while moving through the mada streets atop the Swarna Ratham. On Vaikunta Dwadasi, the Chakrasnanam ritual will be performed at Swami Pushkarini in the early hours.
The Tirumala hills have been specially decorated for the occasion, with the main temple and allied shrines adorned using 50 tonnes of traditional flowers, 10 tonnes of fruits, and four lakh cut flowers. A model of the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, depicting the Ashta Lakshmis and Lord Venkateswara, has been installed outside the main temple.
TTD chairman B.R. Naidu told Deccan Chronicle that all measures had been taken to ensure a smooth darshan experience. On Vaikunta Ekadasi day, nearly 20 hours have been earmarked exclusively for the general public, with a target of facilitating darshan for about 70,000 devotees.
To manage queues and pilgrim services, Srivari Sevaks have been deployed for crowd regulation, food distribution and drinking water supply. Security has been strengthened with the deployment of vigilance staff and around 3,000 district police personnel. For devotees waiting in queues, 18 varieties of food items, along with Annaprasadam and hot beverages, will be available round the clock.