Tirumala sees large pilgrim influx on eve of Vaikunta Ekadasi

Lord Venkateswara hill temple sees surge in pilgrims on Vaikunta Ekadasi eve, with enhanced safety measures in place.

The hill temple of Lord Venkateswara witnessed a surge in the pilgrim crowds on Thursday (January 9, 2025) on the eve of the auspicious Vaikunta Ekadasi festival on January 10. Devotees from across the country thronged the temple town to have the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.

The pilgrim count saw a significant spike in the afternoon and the town bustled with devotees as the day progressed. While the queue lines for Thursday’s darshan remained low, the entire route from the GNC toll gate to the hill temple remained choked with devotees. Specially erected German hangars along the mada streets to protect the visiting devotees from the cold weather were also seen considerably occupied by late evening.

Despite the sombre mood prevailing among TTD officials following Wednesday’s tragic stampede incident, which left six dead and several injured, they worked tirelessly to cater to the needs of the swelling crowds. Enhanced measures were implemented to avoid any untoward incidents during the festival. 

Both pedestrian pathways leading to the hill temple experienced heavy footfall, as scores of pilgrims, the majority of whom had taken Govind Mala Deeksha, opted to reach the shrine on foot. 

To ease congestion, traffic restrictions were strictly enforced and vehicles were barred from accessing the route leading to the Vaikuntam queue complex. Authorities regulated the incoming traffic to prevent overcrowding for the convenience of pilgrims.

Meanwhile, several top officials from the judiciary, Ministers of the State, MLAs , MPs and dignitaries belonging to national committees registered their arrival.  

The temple town has been spruced to brace for an even larger influx of devotees on Friday for the Ekadasi festival. The TTD urged pilgrims to cooperate with the authorities and follow the guidelines in place to ensure a safe and memorable darshan experience.