JOIN USTTD to allow darshan during Maha Samprokshanam
After the intervention of the state government, the TTD on Tuesday decided to allow darshan to pilgrims in limited numbers from August 11 to 16 during Maha Samprokshanam within the available time space during this period.
TTD Trust Board chairman P Sudhakar Yadav along with TTD executive officer Anil Kumar Singhal on briefed the media at about the decision.
Elaborating further, the chairman said the devotees will be allowed for darshan through Vaikuntham queue complex.
"In the next two or three days, we will discuss in detail about the possibility of allowing the maximum number of pilgrims... for darshan. Since we have very limited time space for darshan, we will work out on this and come out with figures of the maximum number of pilgrims which we can accommodate during these six days," said Yadav.
"In the feedback, we received from pilgrims, 33% expressed their desire for a darshan to those who reach Tirumala, while 22% supported the TTD's previous decision of cancellation of darshan during that period owing to time constraints, while 8% of them suggested issuing only online tickets with certain quota etc. We have already stalled Rs 300 darshan quota and now we have taken a decision to cancel all the darshans, including Divya Darshan, Sarva Darshan Token, VIP break, privilege darshans for that period," Singhal said.
"Darshan will be provided within the limited time space to those who reach Tirumala through Vaikuntham queue complex as the significance will be more for rituals rather than darshan during Maha Samprokshanam", he added.
The decision of the TTD to shut down the temple during the Mahasamprokshanam (that comes once in 12 years) was criticised by the devotees and also political parties in the state.
It was said that the ruling TDP government wanted to close the temple to tamper with the wealth hidden in the treasure troves under the kitchen.
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu immediately called TTD officials and directed them to reverse their decision.