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Vaikunta Ekadasi Draws Massive Crowds as Temples Open Vaikunta Dwaram Across South India

TTD’s 10-day darshan uses a new e-dip token lottery, with Sarva Darshan for walk-in pilgrims set from January 2.

Overview

  • Early-morning openings of the northern gates at Tirumala, Srirangam, Triplicane and other shrines saw heavy turnout, with Triplicane reporting over one lakh devotees for darshan.
  • At Tirumala, the first three days are restricted to pre-issued tokens with designated entry routes, while general access without tickets is scheduled from January 2 to 8.
  • TTD’s inaugural e-dip random allotment produced system-driven token allocations averaging 8–12% of registrants, including 92,221 of 11.53 lakh applicants from Andhra Pradesh and 49,127 of 6.08 lakh from Telangana.
  • Festival rituals at Tirumala included the Swarna Ratham procession on Ekadasi, with Chakrasnanam announced for the early hours of Dwadasi at Swami Pushkarini.
  • Authorities at major temples deployed extensive crowd-control, amenities and medical aid as VVIP visits at Tirumala contributed to localized congestion in guest-house and parking areas.