The golden chariot procession event was held in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirumala as part of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival. Women devotees pulled the decorated chariot through the streets of Tirumala.
Swarna Ratham event or the golden chariot procession was held in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirumala as part of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival on Wednesday. Women devotees including 200 employees of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) pulled the decorated chariot through the streets of the temple town.
The event was attended by hundreds of devotees trying to catch a glimpse of the Lord seated on the golden chariot amid chores of religious chants. The chariot glided swiftly along the four-mada streets as the devotees assembled in the galleries.
Chief Justice of India Justice NV Ramana, TTD Chairman and TTD officials were also present during the event.
At least 50,000 devotees are expected to arrive in Tirumala during the 10-day Ekadasi festival. All devotees are given time slots so as to control the crowd in the Tirupati temple. Necessary Covid protocols are also being imposed in the state.
Besides, TTD has made it mandatory for devotees to have Covid vaccination certificate or RTPCR negative test report taken 48 hours prior to their arrival.
In the wave of Covid spike, Andhra Pradesh has decided to impose a night curfew and put a cap on number of guests at events. However, the curbs will come into effect on January 18, after the Sankranthi festival.
