1.5L Attend Temple Paramapada Vaasal Opening

Event marks start of 'raa pathu' rituals at Srirangam temple

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Tiruchy

ABOUT 1.5 lakh devotees descended on the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam of the district to witness the ceremonial procession of Lord Namperumal through the 'paramapada vaasal' or 'sorgavaasal' gate as part of the ongoing Vaikunta Ekadasi festival in the early hours of Friday.

Marking the first day of the 'raa pathu' rituals of the 22-day-long festival, the opening of the 'paramapada vaasal' saw the deity clad in a gem-studded armour, Pandiyan crown and 'kili maalai' leaving the sanctum sanctorum and passing through the 'heaven's gate' during the auspicious Dhanu Lagna around 5.15 am. As the deity passed through, devotees chanted, "Renga, Renga". Later, the deity blessed a public darshan at the 'Aayiram kaal mandapam' (thousand pillar hall).