Pagal Pathu begins in Srirangam temple

On day one of the utsavam at Srirangam, the first of the 108 divya desams, Lord Namperumal was brought in a gold palanquin around 7 am from the sanctum sanctorum and was placed at Arjuna Mandapam around 7.45 am. Lord Namperumal gave dharshan in ‘Pandian Kondai Alankaram’.

Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated annually for 21 days in the Tamil month of Margazhi at the famous Srirangam Sri Renganathaswamy temple. The first 10 days of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is called the Pagal Pathu and the subsequent ten days are called Ira Patthu.

On January 6, the ninth day of the Pagal Pathu celebrations, the highlight of the festival ‘Paramabathavasal Thirappu’ would be held. On Vaikunta Ekadasi day, Lord Namperumal would come out of the Paramapada Vasal to Thirumamani Mandapam (thousandpillared hall) and Naalayira Dhivyaprabandham would be recited throughout the day. Devotees would spend the entire day singing the NaalayiraDhivyaprabandham.

On account of Vaikunta Ekadasi, the district administration has declared a local holiday on January 6 (Monday). In order to avoid any untoward incidents, the authorities have deployed officials to monitor the crowd and provide basic amenities for the devotees. A police outpost has been opened to report any issues. Traffic regulations has been made at Srirangam toensure hassle free vehicular movement. Meanwhile, the Health Department has set up medical camps for the benefit of devotees.