Three lakh to participate in Ekadasi fest

Over three lakh devotees are expected to visit Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple in Triplicane on Vaikunta Ekadasi, which coincides with New Year’s Day this year.

Addressing a press meet on Sunday, P. Dhanapal, commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, said that all necessary arrangements had been made for free darshans for devotees.

“Very few people opt for tickets that are priced at Rs. 300 and Rs. 100. All devotees will get small booklets on the history of the temple, Bhagavat Gita and Vishnu Sahasranamam, and

prasadam ,” he said.

Those with the Rs. 300 tickets and badge will have to enter via the

merku gopuram (west tower), while those with the Rs. 100 tickets can enter through the back entrance and those opting for free entrance, through the front gate. As usual drinking water and toilet facilities will be provided. Additional security would be in place, and fire tenders and ambulances would be available in case of emergencies, officials said. Information on ticket prices will be available from Monday afternoon at the temple counters.

Mr. Dhanapal said that the parama padha vaasal would be open from January 2 to 9, 2015, from 5.45 p.m. to around 10 p.m. “The number of devotees visiting during the raa pathu utsavam is also increasing every year,” he said.

Special arrangements are being made for the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at over 50 large temples all over the State, the largest of them being the Sriranganathar Temple at Srirangam where over 10 lakh devotees are expected to visit on that day.