The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced that online token booking for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshan at the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala will open at 11 a.m. on December 23, while Rs 300 Special Entry Darshan (SED) tickets will be available online from 11 a.m. on December 24.
The darshan is part of the Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrations, scheduled from January 10 to 19, 2025. The Vaikunta Dwaram, the sacred passage encircling the sanctum sanctorum, will remain open for devotees during this 10-day period. According to the TTD Executive Officer (EO), online bookings for the darshan tickets will commence at the aforementioned dates and times.
To manage the flow of devotees, Slotted Sarva Darshan (SSD) tokens will be distributed at eight centers in Tirupati and one in Tirumala. These include MR Palli, Jeevakona, Ramanaidu School, Ramachandra Pushkarini, Indira Maidan, Srinivasam, Vishnu Nivasam, Bhudevi Complex in Tirupati, and Kaustubham Guesthouse in Tirumala. Necessary facilities will be set up at these centers to streamline the process, as directed by the Chief Engineer.
It should be noted that only those with valid darshan tokens will be allowed for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshan. However, individuals without tokens can visit Tirumala but will not be permitted entry into the darshan queue.
On Vaikuntha Ekadashi Day (January 10, 2025), VIP protocol darshan will commence at 4:45 a.m., followed by a grand Swarna Ratham (golden chariot) procession from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. On the Dwadasi Day (January 11, 2024), the Chakrasnanam rituals will take place at the temple pond, Srivari Pushkarini, between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
In preparation for the large influx of devotees, TTD has coordinated with local police to ensure efficient traffic management. To cater to the needs of pilgrims, Annadanam (free food distribution) will run uninterrupted from 6 a.m. to midnight throughout the 10-day festival. The menu will include tea, coffee, milk, upma, sugar pongali, and pongali. Additionally, TTD will maintain a buffer stock of 3.5 lakh laddus to meet the anticipated demand.
Lakhs of devotees from across the country are expected to throng the hill shrine to participate in the auspicious Vaikunta Dwara Darshan, making it one of the most significant events of the year.
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