Tirupati: TTD Organizes Special Darshan Fo 52 Injured In Stampede On Vaikunta Ekadashi

In the aftermath of a tragic stampede near the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) on Wednesday, officials, under the directives of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and TTD Chairman BR Naidu, arranged Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan for 52 injured individuals.

The unfortunate incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam, close to the Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of darshan tokens. It resulted in six fatalities and left several others injured. Police have registered two cases under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which addresses unnatural deaths, to investigate the circumstances leading to the stampede.

Devotional Fervor Marks Vaikunta Ekadashi Celebrations Across Andhra and Telangana

Despite the tragedy, the spirit of Vaikunta Ekadashi brought thousands of devotees to temples across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. Special rituals were performed in Venkateswara temples, including those in Jagadgirigutta and Tirupati, where the golden chariot procession from the Tirumala temple highlighted the celebrations.

In Hyderabad, temples such as the TTD Sri Venkateswara Temples in Himayathnagar and Jubilee Hills, ISKCON temples in Secunderabad and Abids, Hare Krishna Golden Temple, Birla Mandir, and Chilkur Balaji Temple witnessed large crowds. Worshippers gathered from the early hours to observe fasts, chant prayers, and participate in religious ceremonies and cultural events.

The temples also hosted spiritual discourses explaining the significance of Vaikunta Ekadashi, a day believed to open the gates of Vaikunta, Lord Vishnu's celestial abode, offering devotees an opportunity for divine grace.

Though marred by the unfortunate stampede, the essence of faith and devotion shone through as worshippers across the region united in prayer and celebration.