Vaishnava temples across the district are gearing up for the auspicious Vaikunta Ekadashi celebrations on January 1.
As the English New Year day and Vaikunta Ekadashi are coinciding this time, the temple authorities are expecting a huge influx of devotees on Thursday.
Temple authorities of Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy, Yadagirigutta, have made necessary arrangements for the special day.
Temple Executive Officer N. Geetha said that they would make 75,000 laddus available for the auspicious day, besides pulihora and Rs. 50 laddus. She further said that they would not allow four-wheelers into the hill shrine from December 31 to avoid traffic congestion. However, the APSRTC and temple administration will operate buses. The temple administration has decided to cancel Abhishekam, Sri Sudharshana Narasimha Homam Nithykalyama and Rs. 100 darshan ticket sales.
VIPs will be allowed for darshan from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, the temple authorities of Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple, Mattapally, have also made necessary arrangements for the auspicious day. Temple chairman Chennuru Narasimha Rao said that the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam will be allowed from 5 a.m. onwards at Mattapally temple. Temple authorities of Sri Matsyagiri Lakshminarasimha Swamy, Vemulakonda in Rammannapet mandal and several other temples across the district also have made arrangements for the auspicious day.
Khammam Staff Reporter adds: The colourfully decorated boat resembling a swan has been kept ready for the celestial cruise of Lord Rama and his consort Sita as part of the spectacular Teppotsavam to be held in the Godavari in the temple town of Bhadrachalam on December 31.
The spacious boat christened ‘Hamsa Vahanam’ has been tastefully decorated with a wide array of serial bulbs for the mega annual event slated for Wednesday.
The boat, with a seating capacity of 40 persons, including the boat crew, was brought to the temple town from Pocharam in VR Puram mandal of the residuary Andhra Pradesh a couple of days ago.
The Irrigation Department officials in coordination with the Police and Revenue Departments have made necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the celestial boat ride.
The officials operated the impressively decked up boat in the river late on Monday evening as part of an informal trial run.
The final trial run of the ‘Hamsa Vahanam’ will be conducted in the presence of higher officials on Tuesday morning as a prelude to the Teppotsavam scheduled to be held on Wednesday, said Ram Prasad, Dy Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department, Bhadrachalam.
