Devotion Sweeps Temples Across AP For Vaikuntha Ekadasi
Temple administrations, endowments department officials and police personnel across districts worked through the day to manage the unprecedented rush, while scouts and volunteers distributed drinking water to ease the hardship of pilgrims.
VIJAYAWADA, NELLORE and ANANTAPUR : Andhra Pradesh was immersed in devotion on Tuesday as Vaikuntha Ekadasi (Mukkoti Ekadasi) was celebrated with fervour across Vijayawada, Guntur, Krishna, Godavari, Konaseema, Nellore, Prakasam, Anantapur and Srisailam, with thousands of devotees thronging major Vaishnavite shrines from the early hours.
Long serpentine queues were witnessed at temples as devotees waited for Uttara (Vaikuntha) Dwara Darshanam, believed to grant moksha. Chanting of “Govinda, Govinda” reverberated through temple corridors, while Vedic chants, traditional music and floral decorations added to the spiritual ambience.
In Vijayawada, elaborate arrangements were made at major temples, including additional queue lines, drinking water kiosks, medical camps and heightened security. Volunteers assisted elderly devotees and women, while prasadam distribution continued without interruption.
In Guntur and Krishna districts, large crowds gathered at Venkateswara temples in Labbipeta, Venkatayapalem and nearby towns. Women devotees were seen performing Laksharchana, while special pujas and rituals marked the day.
The East and West Godavari districts witnessed a heavy rush at prominent shrines such as Annavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala and Vadapalli, with temples decked up in festive illumination and arrangements made for smooth darshan.
In SPSR Nellore and Prakasam districts, devotion peaked at the ancient Sri Talpagiri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Nellore, popularly known as Uttara Srirangam. Despite the cold wave, devotees queued up from late night, with darshan taking nearly two hours during peak time. Minister Anam’s son Shubhakara Reddy offered the first Ubhayam to the presiding deity.
Special celebrations were also held at Sri Bhusametha Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Dokiparru village, where rituals began at 4 am, and devotees were allowed darshan through the Vaikuntha Dwaram after doorway poojas.
In Konaseema, temples such as the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Nallacheruvu, Ainivilli mandal, observed the festival with special Uttara Dwara darshan, while Dwaraka Tirumala (West Godavari) organised a Giri Pradakshina as part of the festivities.
At Srisailam, about 100 Chenchu tribal devotees were given Sparsha Darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy Jyotirlingam, marking the launch of a monthly initiative by the temple trust to provide free sparsha darshan to tribal devotees. Trust chairman Ramesh Naidu said the decision was aimed at making tribal communities an integral part of temple worship.
Temple administrations, endowments department officials and police personnel across districts worked through the day to manage the unprecedented rush, while scouts and volunteers distributed drinking water to ease the hardship of pilgrims.
Overall, Vaikuntha Ekadasi was marked by gaiety, discipline and deep spiritual fervour, reaffirming its place as one of the most sacred days in the Vaishnavite calendar.
