JOIN USIf you are planning a pilgrimage to Tirumala hills in Andhra Pradesh to witness the upcoming annual Brahmotsavam, be prepared for empty taps and closed cottages as the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) that runs the Sri Balaji temple has failed to prepare contingency plans to meet the demand.
According modest estimates, at least 60,000 to 1 lakh pilgrims visit the temple every day and the demand for water is around 31 lakh gallons.
At present, many of the reservoirs in the state have dried up and are able to pump only 20 to 21 gallons of water. The demand for water might touch 50 to 60 lakh gallons during Brahmotsavam (September 17 to 24) and Navaratri Utsav (October 15 to 24).
TTD authorities have calculated that in the next decade, the demand for water on the seven hills could be around 60 to 70 lakh gallons per day.
Out of the six reservoirs that cater to the temple town, only two have water that could be used to run a few cottages and mutts.
There is no water left in the once vital Kalyanai dam, Akash Ganga dam and Go Garbham dam.
Papavinashanam falls and Kumaradhara and Pasupudhara reservoirs have water but the pipelines yet to be laid which makes them useless for pilgrims at the moment.
Water scarcity has forced the TTD to let out only 10 percent of the available 2,278 rooms, particularly in the Rs 100 and Rs 50 rent category meant for the poor and middle class pilgrims.
Water for bathing is available in Anjanadri and Garudadri cottages but only three persons are allowed to stay in each cottage though they are meant to house more than six persons.
The TTD is now dependent on water tankers to fill up the holy tank (Pushkarini) next to the main temple so that pilgrims could take the holy ablution (“Srichakra snanam”) during the festivities.
Almost all the 20 odd mutts are providing drinking water to the pilgrims but asking them to make own arrangements for bathing after the holy tonsuring that most of the Tirumala devotees undergo as a holy obligation.