Heavy crowds for Vaikunta Ekadasi at Tirumala, 15 devotees take ill

A large number of devotees turned up at the Tirumala temple of Lord Venkateswara on Friday for the auspicious Vaikunta Ekadasi festival.

Devotees were forced to spend long time waiting in the long queue for darshan braving the chill weather. More than fifteen pilgrims who were in the queue took ill and were administered first-aid at the Aswini hospital.

All the claims made by the TTD that elaborate arrangements were in place proved wrong with the devotees being subjected to severe difficulties. The massive Vaikuntam complex was full to its capacity and the darshan queue that spilled out of the sprawling gardens stretched beyond three kilometres circumnavigating the thoroughfares of the town and extended on to the outer ring road. The abrupt traffic restrictions since Thursday evening paralysed the vehicular movement and forced the pilgrims to walk long distances.

The management came under attack for improper supply of food and water sachets. The inadequacy of wash rooms was clearly felt and the devotees were forced to spend wait for their turn at the wash rooms.

While the senior officials were busy extending courtesies to the VIPs the common pilgrims were left high and dry.

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