The Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple begins on December 19 in the evening with Thirunedunthandagam. The 22-day festival attracts many devotees. It is split into two parts: Pagal Pathu and Iraa Pathu. Pagal Pathu starts on December 20 and runs till December 29. Each morning, the processional deity Sri Namperumal moves from the sanctum sanctorum to the Arjuna mandapam, where rituals are done and devotees worship. The deity is returned to the sanctum at night. The festival's highlight is on December 30, when the Paramapadhavaasal gate opens in the early hours. Sri Namperumal will be taken in a procession passing through it to the Thirumamani Aasthana mandapam. Iraa Pathu begins on December 30 and continues till January 8. The festival ends with Nammazhwar Moksham on January 9. The Thousand Pillar Mandapam in the temple is decorated beautifully for the celebrations. The Tiruchi City Police will implement strong security during the Paramapadhavaasal opening, expecting a large crowd. They have requested extra police officers from nearby districts in addition to local forces to secure the temple and surroundings on December 29 and 30.