<p>Despite growing opposition against the proposed withdrawal of VIP Break Darshan at the Tirumala Venkateswara temple, the TTD has announced substantial reduction in the VIP darshan quota from August.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The temple has to manage large number of pilgrims during the holy Shravanam month, which comes this year with long holiday weekends (on Aug 8-10 on account of Varalakshmi Vratam and Aug 15-17 due to Independence Day), and there is little surprise that the TTD wants to cut back VIP break darshan tickets. <br /><br />“The VIPs’ recommendation letters will not be accepted and the pilgrims are also requested to co-operate with TTD,” said Tirumala’s JEO KS Sreenivasa Raju, while speaking to reporters at Tirumala.<br /><br />The TTD decision is in agreement with the resolve of state endowments minister P Manakyala Rao, one of the two BJP ministers in the TDP government, to gradually phase out the VIP Break Darshan which denies opportunity for several common pilgrims to visit the sanctum in a day. <br /><br />A TTD source said the number of Break darshan tickets (costing Rs 500) issued to pilgrims has been cut back from 5000 to 900. “This would help at least 10,000 poor devotees to get darshan,” Manakyala Rao said. This will also reduce waiting time for darshan from 30 to seven hours. <br /><br />“The software to issue Rs 300 special darshan tickets is almost ready. Once deployed, pilgrims can book them online. We will then scrap issuing the ticket on the queue line,” he said, elaborating his plans on the changes to the darshan system. <br /><br />“Pilgrims must book the tickets in advance and arrive at the temple’s Vaikuntham complex a few minutes before the allotted time. This will reduce unnecessary crowding at the gates and obviate needless pressure for accommodation. Pilgrims can find lodging in Tirupati and reach the temple only for darshan,” Rao said. <br /><br />Admitting that the pressure to keep VIP Break Darshan has been enormous, he said: “The only VIP on the Tirumala Hills is Lord Venkateswara.” <br /><br /></p>
<p>Despite growing opposition against the proposed withdrawal of VIP Break Darshan at the Tirumala Venkateswara temple, the TTD has announced substantial reduction in the VIP darshan quota from August.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The temple has to manage large number of pilgrims during the holy Shravanam month, which comes this year with long holiday weekends (on Aug 8-10 on account of Varalakshmi Vratam and Aug 15-17 due to Independence Day), and there is little surprise that the TTD wants to cut back VIP break darshan tickets. <br /><br />“The VIPs’ recommendation letters will not be accepted and the pilgrims are also requested to co-operate with TTD,” said Tirumala’s JEO KS Sreenivasa Raju, while speaking to reporters at Tirumala.<br /><br />The TTD decision is in agreement with the resolve of state endowments minister P Manakyala Rao, one of the two BJP ministers in the TDP government, to gradually phase out the VIP Break Darshan which denies opportunity for several common pilgrims to visit the sanctum in a day. <br /><br />A TTD source said the number of Break darshan tickets (costing Rs 500) issued to pilgrims has been cut back from 5000 to 900. “This would help at least 10,000 poor devotees to get darshan,” Manakyala Rao said. This will also reduce waiting time for darshan from 30 to seven hours. <br /><br />“The software to issue Rs 300 special darshan tickets is almost ready. Once deployed, pilgrims can book them online. We will then scrap issuing the ticket on the queue line,” he said, elaborating his plans on the changes to the darshan system. <br /><br />“Pilgrims must book the tickets in advance and arrive at the temple’s Vaikuntham complex a few minutes before the allotted time. This will reduce unnecessary crowding at the gates and obviate needless pressure for accommodation. Pilgrims can find lodging in Tirupati and reach the temple only for darshan,” Rao said. <br /><br />Admitting that the pressure to keep VIP Break Darshan has been enormous, he said: “The only VIP on the Tirumala Hills is Lord Venkateswara.” <br /><br /></p>
