Lakhs throng temples in Andhra, Telangana

Hyderabad, Jan 1: Lakhs of devotees Thursday thronged Tirupati and other Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Vaikuntha Ekadasi, which coincided with the New Year. While it is common for devotees to visit temples on New Year, there was a huge rush at all major temples as the day coincided with Ekadasi, considered as auspicious day. Long queues of devotees were also seen at temples at various places in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad since Thursday morning. The governor of the two states, E.S.L. Narasimhan, and his wife offered prayers at Sri Venkateswaraswami temple at Srinagar colony here. The couple participated in special rituals. The Tirumala hills burst to the seams as over two lakh devotees swarmed Lord Venkateswara temple. There was a huge rush of pilgrims since Wednesday. A stampede-like situation prevailed at the counters as pilgrims vied with each other to get tickets for darshan.