A large number of devotees at Narayagiri pedestrian way to Tirumala are staging protest demanding the TTD for allowing them for having the glimpse of the deity through Vaikunta Dwaram (special door to sanctum sanctorum), which will be open for two days on Vaikunta Ekadasi. It has been believed that by taking darshan through this door, one's sins would be washed away and becomes free of cycle of life and death.

Since Tirumala is considered as Vaikuntam, where Lord Sri Vishnu manifested as Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, devotees flock to Tirumala in large number on Vaikunta Ekadasi. On the other hand, physically challenged and aged people too staged protest demanding they be allowed for Vaikunta Dwara darshanam. It is known that aged and physically challenged would be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum in a special queue.

TTD came under criticism this year for giving due importance to VIPs and neglecting the ordinary devotees during Vaikunta Ekadasi. Yesterday, as many as 55,000 devotees sought blessings of Lord Balaji while TTD said it would ensure that more than 70,000 devotees will have darshan of the deity.

(AW Phani)