Religious fervour marks ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’

Main deity of the Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple at Tallakulam in thecity being brought out on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi on Saturday. Photo: G. Moorthy

Devotees thronged the Vaishnavite temples in the city and at various other places on Saturday on the occasion of ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’.

The auspicious day Vaikunta Ekadasi falls on the 11th day of the Sukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of the Margazhi month and is celebrated with piety in all the Vaishnavite shrines.

Thousands of devotees made a beeline for the Prasanna Venkatachalapathy temple at Tallakulam on early Saturday morning to catch a glimpse of the main deity being carried out after the ‘Sorgavasal’ was opened. The deity, Prasanna Venkatachalapathy was decked up and carried out by the devotees and temple priests amidst the chanting of hymns and prayers.

The Koodal Azhagar Perumal Temple opened the ‘Sorgavasal’ at 7.15 p.m. and crowds thronged the temple at the auspicious time. Long queues were seen outside both the temples as devotees visited the temples to mark the auspicious day.

The Kallalagar Temple at Alagarkovil and the Kalamegaperumal Temple at Thirumogur on the outskirts too witnessed large crowds as many devotees from the surrounding areas and the city visited the temples.

Temple officials said that arrangements had been made to ensure that devotees could have a hassle free darshan and steps were taken to manage the crowds that had gathered outside the premises.