Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival at the Tirumala Temple

Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival at the Tirumala Temple

• Six persons were killed and more than 20 critically injured in a stampede at Tirupati as people jostled for tickets for the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at the Tirumala temple (Andhra Pradesh).
• Vaikunta Ekadashi marks the opening of the sacred Vaikunta Dwara, a special gate beside the temple. It remains closed throughout the year and opens only on this auspicious day.
• According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu himself opened this gate to grant devotees the opportunity for salvation and spiritual enlightenment.

Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi

Vaikunta Ekadasi marks the opening of the sacred Vaikunta Dwara, a special gate beside the main sanctum of the temple. This gate remains closed throughout the year and is opened only on this day. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu himself opened this gate to provide devotees with the opportunity to attain salvation and spiritual enlightenment. The day is believed to be highly auspicious for seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu, as it is thought that passing through the Vaikunta Dwara can lead to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The Festival

Thousands of devotees flock to the Tirumala Temple during Vaikunta Ekadasi to witness the opening of the Vaikunta Dwara and participate in special prayers and rituals. The festival is celebrated with great fervor and devotion, involving elaborate rituals and chanting of Vishnu’s names. It is a time of spiritual reflection and fasting, as devotees seek the Lord’s blessings for prosperity, happiness, and liberation.

Tragic Incident

The stampede occurred as people jostled for tickets to gain entry to the temple on this sacred day. The heavy rush and lack of crowd control led to a chaotic situation, resulting in fatalities and injuries. This tragic event has raised concerns about the need for better crowd management and safety measures during such significant religious gatherings.

Vaikunta Ekadasi remains a spiritually significant day, but the unfortunate incident at Tirumala highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of devotees during large-scale religious festivals.

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