To enhance the pilgrimage experience for thousands of devotees visiting the sacred Tirumala temple, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has introduced a streamlined process for VIP break darshan. This initiative aims to reduce waiting times and provide a smoother experience for worshippers seeking the divine blessings of Lord Venkateshwara.
Every day, lakhs of devotees from across India and beyond visit the Tirumala temple, creating a continuous flow of worshippers. The high volume often leads to long waiting hours, causing inconvenience to pilgrims. To manage this, the TTD has implemented a system allowing devotees to obtain VIP darshan through recommendation letters from elected representatives.
VIP Darshan Procedure
TTD has now extended the facility of accepting recommendation letters from public representatives in Telangana, following the existing practice in Andhra Pradesh. This system grants devotees priority access to darshan under specific guidelines:
- The recommendation letter must be issued on the official letterhead of the public representative.
- Each letter can accommodate up to six devotees.
- The letter must clearly state the names and details of all attendees.
- A separate recommendation letter is required for room allotment.
- The date of arrival and preferred darshan date must be accurately mentioned.
Upon reaching Tirumala, devotees must present the original recommendation letter at the Joint Executive Officer (JEO) office, along with their Aadhaar cards. Temple authorities will then register the details, conduct biometric verification, and issue an enrollment slip. A confirmation message regarding the darshan schedule will be sent between 6 PM and 10 PM. Devotees can download and pay for the darshan tickets upon receiving the confirmation.
Accommodation Process
For those requiring accommodation, a Xerox copy of the recommendation letter must be submitted. Room allotments are managed through the MBC and TBC offices, with the recommendation letter requiring authentication at the JEO office before finalizing the booking.
Weekly Allocation of VIP Darshan
The allocation of VIP darshan tickets is categorized based on the day of the week:
- Mondays and Sundays: Six devotees per letter receive VIP break darshan tickets.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Six devotees per letter are granted special entry darshan tickets.
- Weekly Limit: A total of 24 devotees can avail of the facility each week using four recommendation letters.
Currently, this arrangement is available for devotees from Telangana, with potential plans for further expansion. With TTD already accepting recommendation letters from Andhra Pradesh representatives, this extension to Telangana devotees represents a significant step toward improving accessibility. The rising demand for VIP darshan suggests that the facility may soon be extended to a broader group of pilgrims, ensuring a more organized and seamless experience for all visitors.
