GOVINDA, GOVINDA CHANT ROCKS TIRUMALA

• 16 compartments in Narayanagiri filled up for Vaikunta Ekadasi darshan
• nonstop snacks, drinking water, tea, coffee, milk and buttermilk supply
• Vaikunta Ekadasi darshan from 4 .00 AM, says EO Dr. Sambashiv Rao.
• Bhajans by HDPP, Dasa Sahitya, Annamacharya Projects to spiritualise devotees

Tirumala, 7 January 2017: The changing of Govinda, Govinda reverberated in the hill shrine of Tirumala as almost 16 compartments in the temporary shelters of Narayanagiri were filled up ahead of the celestial event of Vaikunta Ekadasi tomorrow.

The Govinda nama bhajans organised by the artists of the Hindu DharmaPrachara Parishad, Dasa Sahitya and Annamacharya Project for the devotees kicked off to a spiritual start. About 21 bhajan teams have been pressed in at the Narayana Giri garden shelters.

TTD Executive officer Dr D Sambasiva Rao who reviewed all the arrangements made at Narayana Giri garden shelters told reporters that the Sarva darshan for devotees will commence as early as possible before 4.00 AM itself. All the devotees waiting in queue lines will also be provided snacks, coffee, tea, milk and also buttermilk as weather demanded on a 24×7 basis. ‘I want all the devotees to beget the blessings of Lord Venkateswara without any hassles’ he appealed.

He said Swarna Ratham procession of Lord Venkateswara will be performed between 9.00am to 11am on January 8 at Tirumala mada streets. Similarly on January 9th, Chakrasnam of Sri Sudarshan Chakrathalwar will be performed at 4.30am to5.30am. He said in view of the celestial events, the regular arjita sevas like Kalyanotsavams, Unjal Seva, Arjita Brahmotsavams and Vasantotsavam will be suspended on both January 8 & 9th.

The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi: The Ekadasi in the Shukla paksham of Dhanurmasam is called Vaikunta Ekadasi or Mukkoti Ekadasi. Puranic legends claim that all those who get darshan of Lord Venkateswara on that day will beget the punayam of performing 3 crore Ekadasis. Besides, all those who take holy bath in the Swami Pushkarini on that day will also get the punyam of bathing in all the holy springs of Tirumala.

Vaikuntha marga darshan: After the Ekanta Seva on January 7th night, the main doors- Bangaru Vakili of the sanctum of Srivari temple is closed and next morning the ‘Vaikunta Dwaram, on the northern side of the entrance is kept open till the Ekanta Seva of Dwadasi, January 9th.

The darshan of lord through this door is possible only for two days in a year and all those blessed ones are assured of a place in Vaikunta, says the legends.