Tirupati Tirumala temple witnesses massive crowd on Vaikunta Ekadasi
Ahead of the Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrated on 10 January 2025, the Tirupati Tirumala Temple witnesses massive crowd of devotees.
Notedly, due to the surge in devotees visiting Tirumala amidst Vaikunta Ekadasi, the administration, after consulting religious leaders, extended the festivities to ten days to manage the influx.
This year the footfall was such massive that aleast six people were killed, and dozens were injured in a stampede at the Temple in Tirumala on Wednesday amidst the distribution of tokens for Darshan through the Uttar Dwaram or Vaikunta Dwaram (north entrance).
Historically, two major events—Brahmotsavam, a nine-day festival, and Vaikunta Ekadasi, initially observed for a single day—have drawn massive crowds.
Devotees believe that Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Lord Venkateshwara in Tirumala, bestows heavenly blessings on those who get a glimpse of him amidst Vaikunta Ekadasi.
Reportedly, for ages, devotees have prepared for Vaikunta Ekadasi by wearing the Govinda Mala 41 days in advance, donning yellow clothes, and walking barefoot as a mark of devotion. Many pilgrims embark on foot from distant locations, sometimes hundreds of kilometers away, often starting their journey a week or ten days prior to reach Tirumala in time for the celebrations.
According to the Puranas, Lord Vishnu holds a meeting in Vaikuntam with his disciples, and devotees are also allowed into his sabha. This celestial meeting, symbolically reflected on earth, lasts ten days.
Therefore, pontiffs and the TTD administration decided to keep the Uttara Dwaram open for ten days, allowing devotees to enter and perform darshan around the sanctum. This shift from one day Vaikunta Ekadasi to two days (Ekadasi and Dwadashi) and now ten days is based on the strong belief that devotees who have darshan during these days will attain moksha, making the huge congregation inevitable.
News Edit KV Raman
