Over one lakh devotees throng Sri Parthasarathi Perumal temple in Triplicane on Vaikuntha Ekadashi

More than one lakh devotees had darshan of Sri Parthasarathi Perumal at Triplicane on Vaikuntha Ekadashi on Tuesday. Darshan started at 2 am and Sorgavasal opened at 4 am with the idol of the utsava deity being brought through the magnificently decorated gates.

The temple management had made elaborate arrangements to ensure safe darshan for all devotees. Separate queues were created for the elderly. More than 100 thousand water bottles were distributed to visitors. A small book on Laddu, Kalkandu, Tulsi and Gita was also distributed.

Since the day also marked the beginning of Raa Pathu, the deity was adorned with a Muthuangi (a dress stitched with pearls). For nine more days, Sorgavasal will remain open for devotees from 4 pm.

According to religious leader Thirumalai Vinjamoor Venkatesh, the practice of Vaikuntha Ekadashi began in Srirangam, where Sri Rangamatha is believed to have agreed to listen to Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

3,000 songs of Prabandham will be sung during the previous Pagal Pathu and subsequent Raa Pathu festivities. He added that the remaining 1000 songs in Iyarpaa will be sung on the last day.