All arrangements are in place at the Sri Parthasarathi Perumal temple, one of the important Vaishnavite Divyadesams in the Northern part of Tamil Nadu, to celebrate the Annual Vaikunta Ekadasi festival on January 11.

As part of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, Pakalpathu Utsavam began on January 1 and was held till January 10.  After the Paramapathavasal Darshan on January 11, Rappathu Utsavam will begin on the same day.

The significance of this ancient temple is that here Lord Krishna is seen giving darshan to devotees as Parthasarathi (charioteer of Parthan or Arjuna with a moustache).  During the Pakalpathu Utsavam, traditionally, from the sixth day till Vaikunta Ekadasi, Sri Parthasarathi Perumal will be giving darshan to his devotees without the moustache.

Arrangements have been made to bring the temple complex under police cover ahead of Vaikunta Ekadasi day.  Besides, four surveillance towers have been set up to monitor the movements of anti-social elements, if any. Closed Circuit TVs have also been set up inside the temple.

The `300 ticket for early morning darshan starting from 2 am on January 11 can be bought from the temple from 2 pm on January 9. MRTS will operate special trains and MTC will operate special buses to Triplicane to help the devotees.

Since thousands of devotees from various parts of the city are expected to visit the temple on January 11, The Chennai Corporation has made special arrangements for ensuring basic amenities for the devotees. The Paramapatha Vasal Darshan will be relayed through megascreens placed on the Eastern and Western sides of the temple.

From January 12 to 19 Paramapathavasal Sevai will be performed at 6 pm and the same will take place at 9 am on January 20.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service – Chennai / January 11th, 2014