Tirupati: TTD staff and security personnel had a tough time in containing the heavy turnout of devotees who gathered for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi on Sunday.
Pilgrims turned restless following the long waiting in queue lines. Some of them were seen jumping queue lines despite efforts by police to stop them. However, they managed the situation from going out of control.
As promised earlier TTD authorities have commenced the darshan at 4.09 am for common pilgrims. The entire premises of the temple reverberated with chants of “Govinda.. Govinda” as soon as the commencement of the Sarvadarshan.
According to TTD officials 45,444 devotees had the darshan of the Lord by 12 noon and 67,000 by the evening. Nearly 50,000 more have been waiting for their turn to have a glimpse of the Lord of Seven Hills.
Meanwhile TTD EO Dr D. Sambasiva Rao who personally monitored the pilgrim rush inside the temple interacted with the pilgrims. The pilgrims thanked EO for the special arrangements provided by TTD for the auspicious occasion.
Later speaking to media, the EO said in spite of the VIP rush, the temple management has commenced the Sarva Darshan on a convenient note. “The arrangements are on par with last year. But to avoid long standing waiting hours, this year we have constructed 16 compartments to pilgrims in Narayanagiri Gardens which could accommodate 15,000 more pilgrims apart from Vaikuntham compartments and supplied different menu there itself at regular intervals. We have also engaged medical teams in compartments. Even the luggage were collected from the pilgrims waiting in compartments and deposited in the luggage counters. To engage pilgrims in a devotional environment, we have arranged Govinda Bhajans with Dasa, Satyasai, Iskcon teams”, he added.
Long lines at temples in Kurnool
Vaikunta Ekadasi was celebrated across the district on Sunday with religious fervour. Vaikunta Ekadasi is considered to be more auspicious by Vaishnavites than the Ekadasi day. On Mukkoti Vaikunta Ekadasi day people observe fast.
In Ahobilam, devotees thronged Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in the early hours to have a glimpse of the Lord. Chants of 'Govinda Govinda' nama rent the air. Throughout the day, serpentine queues were witnessed in temples.
Endowment officer and mutt administrative officer made all arrangements to ensure hassle-free darshan for the devotees. The auspicious day was observed at various temples in the district including the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kurnool, Laxminarasimha temple in Veldurthi and Chennakesava Perumal temples in Koilakuntla and Banaganapalle.
In Srisailam, thousands of devotees queued up at the Sri Brahmarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. Temple executive officer N. Barat Gupta made special arrangements to ensure hassle-free darshan for pilgrims.
