Amidst the chanting of `Ranga Ranga` lord Namm Perumal, the procession deity of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple passed through the Paramapada Vasal (seventh gate of heaven) for Vaikunta Ekadasi this morning.
Lakhs of devotees waited in long queues to take part in the opening event. HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu was among those present.
Cops were deployed in large numbers to maintain vigil.
Around 209 CCTV cameras have been placed on the temple corridors and in public areas outside the premises. Police personnel from other districts were mobilised to regulate the crowd. A police control room has been established near Ranga Vilas mandapam and night patrol intensified on highways connecting Srirangam.
The ‘gopurams,’ walls and corridors of the temple were illuminated with decorative lights.