December 30 witnessed surging crowds at Vaishnavite temples in Chennai. The day was Vaikuntha Ekadashi (held sacred in the Hindu almanac), fostered by the strong belief that entering through the swargavasal—the symbolic gateway to heaven—while still alive is a pious duty. Chennai was not alone; the belief transcends towns and cities across India and extends to parts of the world where Hindus live in large numbers, including select US cities such as Boston and Pittsburgh.

Managements at Hindu temples often offer paid special darshan for quicker, less crowded access—not necessarily “preferential entry" for the wealthy over others, but as a system to manage large crowds while generating revenue for temple maintenance and charity, and providing a premium experience. Though optional, as free darshan is allowed alongside, many devotees pay their way through, some grudgingly and others half-grudgingly, rationalising the fee as an offering of their mite to the Almighty. The bandwagon effect is so pronounced that if there are two special darshan options, say Rs 300 and Rs 100, the first often draws a larger crowd in the smug belief that the lower-priced option is both infra dig and more delay-prone.

In popular, busy temples such as Tirupati, Shirdi and........

© News18