Tirumala shrine witnesses huge crowd

Tirupati: Thousands of pilgrims have reached the Tirumala ahead of Vaikuntha Ekadasi, the auspicious day on Friday, for having a darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara. From Thursday early hours, devotees were seen standing in Srivari temple queue lines. In the afternoon, devotees were seen lined up for more than 3 km distance.

It may be noted that for the past two days temperatures are coming down very low in hill shrine due to winter season. Bracing chilly weather, the devotees wearing sweaters standing outside the queue lines for Lord’s darshan. In view of heavy rush, the TTD has made elaborate arrangements at Tirumala and as well at local temples in Tirupati to provide hassle-free darshan for devotees.

During the two auspicious days, Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Dwadasi, and New Year, the TTD will open both Ghat Roads round-the-clock from December 28 to January 2. The officials also kept ready four lakh water sachets to be supplied to pilgrims waiting in queue lines.

They also made arrangements to supply water sachets, food and beverages continuously for the pilgrims waiting in compartments, Narayanagiri Gardens, Ring Road, Medara Mitta, Bata Gangamma Gudi, Kalyana Vedika and outside the queue lines. Meanwhile the TTD has drafted additional medical teams for the convenience of devotees who are waiting at queue lines.

The pilgrims, who planned to have darshan on December 29, shall be permitted into compartments of VQC-I from midnight of December 28. After completion of VIP break darshan, the general pilgrims waiting in compartments will be allowed for darshan at 8 am on Vaikuntha Ekadasi Day.

On this auspicious day, TTD is going to conduct procession of Swarna Ratham from 9 am to 11 am at four mada streets of Srivari Temple. Similarly, the officials have made the arrangements at all the local temples of TTD. Srinivas Mangapuram, Tiruchanur, Narayanavanam, Appalayagunta and Nagalapuram temples were decorated with colourful flowers and illuminated with lights.