Fri Jan 10 22:23:54 UTC 2025: **Andhra Pradesh Witnesses Massive Turnout for Vaikunta Ekadashi Celebrations**
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh – January 10, 2025 – Andhra Pradesh celebrated Vaikunta Ekadashi with fervor and widespread participation. Thousands of devotees flocked to Vishnu temples across the state from early morning, eager to witness the opening of the northern gate (Uttaradwara Darshan).
The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, a major pilgrimage site, saw the commencement of a ten-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshan, marked by elaborate rituals, abhishekam (sacred bath), and special pujas before devotees were granted darshan. Similar scenes unfolded at temples across the state, including Vijayawada, where numerous Venkateswara Swamy temples overflowed with devotees. Other notable locations such as NTR district’s Dwaraka Tirumala temple, Penuganchprolu Tirupathamma temple, Annavaram temple (with special Satyanarayana Swamy darshan), and Konaseema district’s various Venkateswara Swamy temples, all reported significant crowds. In Anantapur, temples like the Paturu Chennakésava Swamy temple and Srikantham Venkateswara Swamy temple were filled with devotees chanting Govinda Nama Smarana. The festivities also extended to Ongole, where the Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple witnessed large numbers of devotees and a special palanquin procession.
The entire state experienced a heightened spiritual atmosphere as temples were beautifully decorated for the occasion. The celebrations were not limited to commoners; prominent figures also participated in the Uttaradwara Darshan.
First Piper 