Bhadrachalam gearing up for Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations

Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam, Bhadrachalam, will host Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations from December 20 to January 16. Rituals include Pagalpattu, Teppotsavam, Rapattu, Vilasotsavams, and Vishwaroopaseva, alongside boat rides and stalls showcasing tribal cuisine

Kothagudem: Rituals related to Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations are scheduled to commence at Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam in Bhadrachalam on December 20.

The festivities will start with ‘Pagalpattu’ rituals from December 20 and conclude on December 29 with the Teppotsavam in River Godavari.

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Vaikunta Ekadasi Uttara Dwara Darshanam will take place on December 30, following which ‘Rapattu’ rituals will start and conclude on January 9, 2026, which also marks the conclusion of Ekadasi celebrations.

Vilasotsavam rituals will commence on January 10 and Vishwaroopaseva will take place on January 16, said the temple Sthanacharyulu KE Sthalasai and chief priest A Vijayaraghavan.

In view of the celebrations at the temple, Collector Jitesh V Patil held a meeting with the district officials to review the arrangements, and told them to work in coordination to make the Mukkoti celebrations a success.

No one should be allowed into the sectors without tickets during the Uttara Dwara Darshanam. Only those with passes should be allowed into protocol, VVIP and VIP sectors. High priority should be given to sanitation in the town during the festivities, he said.

To develop Bhadrachalam as a tourist centre, arrangements should be made for the pilgrims to visit Bujjigoppa, Bendalapadu, Rathamgutta and Pagideru areas. Stalls should be set up on the Godavari embankment with SHG and tribal women to showcase traditional tribal cuisine, he added.

Officials were told to arrange boat rides in Godavari for pilgrims this year for a nominal fee. Trained swimmers and life jackets should be made available at the boating point, the Collector said.

He directed ITDA PO B Rahul and Sub-Collector Mrinal Shrestha to coordinate and inspect the arrangements from time to time at field level.