At the very least six folks had been killed and a number of other others had been injured in a stampede close to Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati final night. The incident occurred on Wednesday through the distribution of ‘darshan’ tokens on the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, officers from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) confirmed. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is actively monitoring the state of affairs and can go to Tirupati to fulfill the households of the victims.
The stampede occurred as pilgrims gathered in giant numbers to safe tokens for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, a major occasion throughout Vaikunth Ekadasi (January 10).
What’s Vaikunth Ekadasi?
Vaikunth Ekadasi is without doubt one of the most auspicious days within the Hindu calendar, celebrated on the eleventh day of the waxing moon within the month of Margashirsha (December-January). Devotees consider that observing fasts and collaborating in prayers on this present day helps them attain moksha (liberation) and offers them entry into Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu’s celestial abode.
Vaikunta Ekadasi additionally holds a particular which means in Hindu custom. The Padma Purana explains that Lord Vishnu fought a demon named Muran, who was troubling the gods. Drained, Vishnu rested in a cave, the place a divine feminine energy emerged from him and destroyed the demon. Vishnu named her ‘Ekadashi’ and granted her a boon. She requested that anybody fasting on this present day be forgiven for his or her sins. Vishnu agreed and promised that they’d acquire entry to Vaikunta, his heavenly abode.
The Vishnu Purana tells one other story the place Vishnu opened the gates of Vaikunta for 2 demons who sought his blessing. This impressed the custom of making a Vaikunta Dwara in temples, the place devotees stroll via the gate on Vaikunta Ekadasi to hunt salvation.
What’s Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam?
The spotlight of Vaikunth Ekadasi at Tirupati is the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam. This refers back to the ceremonial opening of the Vaikunta Dwaram (a sanctified entrance) within the Tirumala temple – the gateway to Lord Vishnu’s heavenly realm.
As per legend, Lord Vishnu opened this sacred gate to grant devotees entry into Vaikunta. The gate stays closed all year long and is opened solely on the holy day of Vaikunta Ekadashi. Devotees consider passing via this gate on this auspicious day cleanses sins, and brings salvation and religious blessings.
The Vaikunta Dwaram is specifically adorned for the event, and the temple witnesses an inflow of lakhs of devotees from throughout the globe. To handle the large crowd, the TTD points ‘darshan’ tokens, permitting devotees an opportunity to take part within the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam in an orderly method.
On Vaikunth Ekadasi, distinctive pujas and sevas are carried out for Lord Venkateswara, beginning within the early hours of the day. The festivities prolong to Vaikunth Dwadasi (the next day), with rituals persevering with to attract 1000’s of pilgrims.