Ekadasi celebrations commence at Srirangam

The 10-day celebrations, Pagal Pathu, heralding the Vaikunta Ekadasi commenced at the popular Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.

Special abishekams (ritualistic ablution of deities) was performed at night as part of the celebrations. The deity, which was decked in rare gems and jewels, was taken in a gold palanquin toward the Arjun Mandapam, with accompanying devotees chanting 'Govinda".

Celebrations began from 7pm on Tuesday night.

Vaikunta Ekadasi, the most important of the festivals held at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, is scheduled forJanuary 1. The ekadasi celebrations have two phases -- pagal pathu (the morning part) and ira pathu (the night part).

On Wednesday, a large number of devotees thronged the temple seeking the Lord's blessing for the new year. Long queues that moved at a snail's pace could be seen outside the temple. Huge shelters were erected specially for the purpose. As a record turnout is expected for the Vaikunta Ekadasi, elaborate arrangements have been made by the temple administration. Already, CCTV cameras have been placed at vantage points to monitor crowds.