Devotees across the Telugu states thronged temples on the auspicious occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025, with large crowds arriving from the early hours for darshan of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. At Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple, the Vaikuntha Dwara (northern gate) was opened at 12:05 AM on Tuesday, enabling devotees to have darshan. Prominent temples, including Vijayawada’s Kanaka Durga Temple and Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, witnessed heavy footfall. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is offering special Vaikuntha Dwara darshan from December 30, 2025, to January 8, 2026, the only ten days of the year when this unique darshan is available, with devotees believing that darshan through the northern gate grants moksha.
At Bhadrachalam Sri Seetha Rama Chandra Swamy Temple, the Vaikuntha Dwara celebrations commenced on a grand scale, with devotees witnessing Lord Sri Rama Chandra on Garuda Vahanam, Seethamma on Gaja Vahanam, and Lakshmana Swamy on Hanumat Vahanam. Similarly, at Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam district, devotees were blessed by Simhadri Appannna adorned as Vaikuntha Narayana. The inaugural darshan was also attended by temple patrons, including Aditi Gajapathi Raju, daughter of Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, along with local leaders such as Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivas Rao and Government Whip P. Ganababu.
According to scriptures, devotees who have darshan through the northern gate on Vaikuntha Ekadashi attain moksha. Temples were adorned with flowers, lights, and decorations, creating a divine ambiance. At Tirumala, Lord Malayappa Swamy, along with Sridevi and Bhudevi, took a golden chariot procession from 9 AM to 11 AM, offering devotees a sacred sight believed to bestow blessings. Observing fasts and reciting Vishnu Sahasranama or Bhagavatam on this day is considered highly auspicious, absolving sins and granting spiritual merit.
TTD has made extensive arrangements for devotees, with the first three days (December 30, 31, and January 1) reserved for electronic token holders, while darshan from January 2 to 8 is accessible through queue lines. Special sevas and darshans are suspended during this period. Free annadanam, laddu prasadam, and transport facilities are provided, with police and TTD staff managing the large crowds.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy visited Tirumala with his family, arriving on December 29 evening and participating in Vaikuntha Dwara darshan early on December 30. TTD officials accorded a special welcome, and the CM family received Lord Venkateswara’s blessings. Other prominent visitors included Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, actor Chiranjeevi and family, Nara Rohith and spouse, Union Minister Rammohan Naidu, cricketer Tilak Varma, film producer DVV Danayya, Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella, and TTD Board member Suchitra Ella.