VIPs cock a snook at Covid norms for 'Uttara Dwara Darshanam'

Bhadrachalam: Vaikunta Ekadasi, an auspicious day which is normally celebrated with fervour, was planned under the shadow of Covid guidelines. However, all arrangements went for a toss with VIPs ignoring officials' pleas.

This celebrations coincide with the Uttara Dwara Darshanam, the day when Lord Brahma along with the DemiGods (3 crores in number), will have darshan of the Lord Vishnu at His abode Vaikunta during Arunodaya kaala at the northern gate of Vaikunta. All arrangements went for a toss on Friday.

The authorities of Sri Ramalayam in Bhadrachalam announced that only 200 devotees, including VVIPs only, would be allowed and all of them should follow the health protocols.

But on Friday morning as the temple gates opened all restrictions were thrown to winds. Nearly 1,000 people of which 90 per cent were VIPs accompanied by their followers thronged the Uttara Dwaram. The worst part of it was that neither did they wear masks nor was social distancing followed. ITDA project officer and officiating Sub-Collector P Gautham was in-charge of the festival and temple executive officer B Shivaji made all arrangements. But all rules went for a toss and the district MLAs, others in nominated posts, non-officials, former peoples representatives and a women minister brought their followers in dozens. Some police and revenue officials also brought their family members and had darshan through Uttara Dwaram. This left the common devotees red faced and were seen fretting and fuming that Covid-19 restrictions seemed to be meant only for the common man. They expressed their anger against the administration for keeping them away from Lord Rama's event in the name of Covid rules. A V Sastry, a senior citizen, devotee of Lord Rama of Bhadrachalam said, "it seems temple authorities feel that festivals are only for officials and politicians."

Meanwhile, Bhadrachalam MLA Podem Veeraiah alleged the officials did not observe protocol for the event. "The officers failed to conduct the festival and violated Covid norms," he said. He said he had lodged his protest with the District Collector and would also write a letter to the privileges committee for violation of protocol by temple authorities and district administration. "The government conducted GHMC elections and public meetings in Hyderabad during the Covid pandemic, but here under the guise of corona, Ekadasi celebrations were on a subdued note," he rued.