The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has finalized extensive preparations for the sacred Vaikunta Ekadasi festival and the Vaikunta Dwara Darshan at the hill shrine of Tirumala. The significant religious event is scheduled to be held from December 30, 2025, to January 8, 2026.
Inspection and Enhanced Facilities
TTD's Additional Executive Officer, Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, recently conducted a thorough inspection of the arrangements along the darshan queues, starting from the Shila Thoranam. He was accompanied by senior officials from various departments. The inspection focused on critical amenities for the expected large influx of devotees.
Chowdary personally checked the functionality of drinking water taps, toilet facilities, and food distribution points. He also interacted with pilgrims to gather feedback. Following the review, he informed the media that the majority of the arrangements for the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan are now complete.
Key Improvements for Devotee Comfort
Based on past feedback, the TTD has implemented several changes to its crowd management system. Significant enhancements include:
- Provision for devotees to sit comfortably in the queue lines.
- Installation of additional drinking water facilities and extra toilets adjacent to the queues.
- Special measures to ensure hot food is served to devotees, considering the winter season.
- Deployment of additional mobile water drums and three mobile food vans along the pilgrimage path.
Important Guidelines for Pilgrims
In view of the heavy rush, the TTD has announced important guidelines for the darshan. The issuance of SSD (Sarva Darshan) tokens at the Bhudevi Complex in Tirupati has been cancelled from December 28 to January 7. Devotees are requested to note this change and cooperate with the administration.
The darshan schedule is split into two phases:
For the first three days (December 30, 31, and January 1), the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan will be exclusively available to devotees who have obtained tokens through the e-dip system. These pilgrims must arrive at the designated entry points in Tirumala strictly on their allotted date and time slot.
Devotees without tokens are advised to plan their visit between January 2 and January 8. They can avail of the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan through the general Sarva Darshan queue line. The TTD will provide periodic crowd information updates to help manage the pilgrimage smoothly.
Ensuring a Smooth Spiritual Journey
The TTD's proactive measures aim to balance the massive devotional fervor with safety and convenience. By refining crowd control systems and boosting basic amenities, the trust seeks to ensure that every devotee's spiritual journey to the Srivari Temple during this auspicious period is a peaceful and fulfilling experience. Pilgrims are encouraged to stay informed through official TTD channels for any last-minute updates.
