Mon Nov 25 16:11:41 UTC 2024: ## Tirumala Temple Prepares for Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival

**TIRUPATI, Andhra Pradesh –** The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is gearing up for the annual Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, scheduled for January 10, 2025. A preliminary meeting held on Monday, November 25th, outlined elaborate arrangements for the ten-day event.

TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary emphasized the need for smooth operations, urging officials to prioritize preparations within the next 40 days. Key decisions include suspending VIP break darshan (except for protocol VIPs) and the halting of ‘Arjitha sevas’ (paid services) inside the temple during the festival.

To enhance accessibility, the TTD will provide free food at the Nitya Annadanam Complex for all pilgrims from 6 a.m. to midnight. The festival will also feature a live telecast of the golden chariot procession (January 10th) and the Chakra Snanam event (January 11th) on the TTD-run SVBC channel. Focus will also be placed on improved floral decorations, traffic management, sanitation, and the deployment of Srivari Sevaks and scouts.

A follow-up meeting is planned in two weeks to finalize darshan ticket quotas and allocate additional darshan hours for common pilgrims.

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