tirupati Archives - India Podcast

Tirumala Darshan Waiting Time Reaches 24 Hours as All Compartments Fill Up

Khazavali — Wed, 27 May 2026 06:44:18 +0000

Devotees visiting Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams are facing heavy rush as Tirumala darshan waiting time has increased sharply. Officials said all compartments at the Vaikuntham Queue Complex are full due to the large number of pilgrims arriving for Srivari darshan.

The Tirumala darshan waiting time has now crossed 24 hours for free darshan devotees. Thousands of pilgrims continued to arrive at the hill shrine from different states. TTD authorities advised devotees to plan their journey carefully and cooperate with temple staff during crowd management.

Officials also stated that devotees without special entry tickets may need to wait for more than a day for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara. Meanwhile, facilities like drinking water, food, and medical services are being provided for pilgrims waiting in queues.

TTD expects the rush to continue for the next few days because of holidays and special devotional activities at the temple.

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Heavy Rush at Tirumala: Devotees Wait Hours for Darshan

Khazavali — Wed, 20 May 2026 08:51:59 +0000

A heavy rush at Tirumala has led to long waiting hours for devotees who want to have darshan of Lord Venkateswara. Thousands of pilgrims reached the hill shrine in large numbers, causing crowding at queue complexes and temple surroundings.

Because of the heavy rush at Tirumala, devotees in the Sarva Darshan queue are waiting several hours before entering the temple. Many compartments in the queue complex are already full, and the lines of pilgrims continue to grow as more visitors arrive throughout the day.

Temple officials from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) are closely monitoring the situation and managing the crowds. Staff members are guiding devotees through the queue lines and providing drinking water and basic facilities to ensure a smooth darshan process.

The Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala receives lakhs of devotees daily, and waiting times usually increase during holidays, weekends, and special occasions.

Authorities advised pilgrims to plan their visit carefully and expect longer waiting times due to the continuing rush.

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Devotees Rush High in Tirumala as Pilgrim Crowd Surges

Khazavali — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:20:55 +0000

Devotees Rush High in Tirumala continues as thousands of pilgrims arrive at the sacred hill shrine to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. The heavy inflow of devotees has led to long queues for darshan, with waiting times increasing throughout the day.

Temple authorities reported that the devotees rush high in Tirumala due to the steady arrival of pilgrims from different states. Queue lines in the Vaikuntham complexes are full, and many devotees are waiting several hours for darshan.

Officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams are closely monitoring the situation. Staff members have arranged drinking water, food, and other facilities to help pilgrims waiting in long lines.

Security personnel and volunteers are also guiding devotees to ensure smooth movement inside the temple premises. Authorities have advised pilgrims to follow queue guidelines and cooperate with officials to avoid inconvenience during the busy period.

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Ghee adulteration issue: TTD Chairman calls for deeper SIT probe

Sirisha P — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 03:57:06 +0000

The ghee adulteration issue has taken a serious turn, with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman B.R. Naidu calling for a deeper investigation into the money trail behind the case. He said the truth will emerge only if officials identify who benefited financially from the adulteration.

Speaking to the media in Tirupati on Thursday, the Chairman said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) must go beyond surface-level findings. He stressed that identifying suppliers, middlemen, and officials involved will help prevent such incidents in the future.

The Chairman said TTD maintains strict quality standards for ingredients used in temple kitchens. Any compromise affects not just food safety but also the faith of millions of devotees. He assured that the administration will take firm action once the investigation is complete.

He asked the SIT to examine purchase records, payment details, and bank transactions linked to ghee procurement. According to him, accountability at every level is essential to restore public confidence.

The ghee adulteration issue has raised concerns among devotees, prompting TTD to review its procurement and testing systems. The Chairman said corrective steps are already underway and promised transparency throughout the process.

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TTD’s experimental e-dip system draws flak from devotees and stakeholders

Sirisha P — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 07:31:26 +0000

TTD’s experimental e-dip system draws flak from devotees and stakeholders

TTD’s experimental e-dip system has drawn flak from devotees, priests, and several stakeholders at Tirumala. Many expressed concern over the new digital process introduced for darshan allocation, saying it caused confusion and inconvenience.

According to critics, TTD’s experimental e-dip system lacks clarity and has limited accessibility for elderly devotees and those unfamiliar with digital platforms. Several pilgrims said they struggled to understand the procedure during the trial phase.

Temple priests and employee unions also raised objections. They argued that the system was introduced without adequate consultation or awareness campaigns. Some felt that traditional practices were being overlooked in the push for digitisation.

Devotees complained about uneven distribution of darshan slots and technical glitches during registration. A few pilgrims said they waited for long hours despite following the new process correctly.

TTD officials, however, maintained that the system was only on an experimental basis. They said feedback from devotees would be reviewed before any permanent implementation. Officials added that the aim was to ensure transparency and prevent misuse in darshan allotment.

Several religious groups urged TTD to withdraw the system until improvements are made. They called for a balanced approach that combines technology with the needs of all devotees.

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New Weekly Train Connects Tirupati and Shirdi

Anil Vanna — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:09 +0000

A new weekly train service has been launched to improve travel between the spiritual hubs of Tirupati and Shirdi. The Indian Railways introduced the Tirupati–Sainagar Shirdi Weekly Express to support pilgrims who frequently travel between the two temple towns. Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna inaugurated the service virtually, marking a fresh step in enhancing religious connectivity.

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Roads and Buildings B.C. Janardhan Reddy flagged off the train at Tirupati Railway Station. Several leaders, including MLA Arani Srinivasulu, TTD Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy, and MLC Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy, joined the ceremony. MPs Gurumoorthy and Ragunath Reddy attended the event virtually and appreciated the new service.

The weekly express travels from Tirupati to Sainagar Shirdi through Gudur, Ongole, Guntur and Secunderabad. This route gives pilgrims from all these regions easier access to the Shirdi Sai Baba temple. Rail officials stated that the new service will reduce travel difficulties, especially for weekend travelers.

Residents said the improved connectivity will support people from both states. Pilgrims have welcomed the initiative and expect smoother travel during peak seasons. The launch of this second weekly train strengthens transport options between two major devotional destinations.

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TTD Releases February Quota Booking Schedule

Anil Vanna — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:48:57 +0000

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) issued an important alert for pilgrims ahead of the February ticket quota release. The online earned service dip tickets will open today at 10 AM. Pilgrims can register until February 20 at 10 AM. The tickets for selected Seva allotments will be released on November 21 at 3 PM.

On November 24, the Anga Pradakshina schedule will begin at 10 AM. At 11 AM, the Srivani Trust Darshan tickets will open for booking. Later, at 3 PM, tickets will be made available for senior citizens and physically challenged devotees for free darshan. Pilgrims are advised to complete bookings early due to heavy demand.

On November 25 at 10 AM, the ₹300 special darshan quota will open. At 3 PM on the same day, accommodation quota will also open. Rooms will be allotted based on availability and online confirmation. Pilgrims must use official sources only for final booking and information.

TTD requested devotees to avoid fake websites and rely only on the official portal. Complete details, instructions, and booking access are available on the official TTD website.

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Tirumala Ghee Scam: SIT Uncovers Shocking Facts in Ajay Kumar’s Remand Report

Anil Vanna — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 07:24:32 +0000

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) revealed shocking details in the remand report of Ajay Kumar, who was arrested in the adulterated ghee case. He allegedly supplied chemicals to the Bhole Baba company, which provides ghee for Tirumala laddu preparation.

Between 2020 and 2024, Ajay Kumar earned crores by supplying large quantities of chemicals to Bhole Baba. According to the SIT report, these chemicals were used to produce adulterated ghee that was later sent to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) through tankers.

Investigations found that Bhole Baba used over 90 percent palm oil in the ghee production. To make the product appear like pure ghee, Ajay Kumar reportedly added chemicals such as monoglycerides and acetic acids. SIT officials confirmed that these substances were part of the mix used for preparing the Tirumala laddus.

Ajay Kumar, listed as A16 in the case, was produced before the Nellore ACB Court. The court ordered judicial custody till November 21. Officials suspect his deep involvement in the adulteration network connected to the Tirumala ghee scam.

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AP Govt Relief for Cyclone-hit Weavers

Anil Vanna — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 07:22:28 +0000

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced financial relief for handloom weavers affected by Cyclone Montha. Many weavers lost their yarn, dyes, and raw materials during the heavy rains. The government will provide ₹5,000 compensation to each weaver who suffered material loss. Additionally, daily essentials such as 50 kg rice, 1 liter cooking oil, pulses, onions, potatoes, and sugar will be distributed to families that lost their livelihood.

Handlooms and Textiles Minister S. Savitha shared the details, stating that Cyclone Montha affected weavers along with farmers. She said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s government took the decision to support struggling families across the state.

According to the minister, around 27,982 handloom families were identified as victims. Of them, 718 weavers lost yarn, dyes, and other items due to water damage. Relief materials are being distributed through district administrations.

District-wise, 4,278 families in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, 3,900 in Krishna, 3,333 in Srikakulam, 2,400 in Nellore, and 1,700 in Tirupati were badly hit by the cyclone. The government assured continued assistance until full recovery.

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YS Jagan Reacts to Kasibugga Temple Tragedy

Anil Vanna — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:13:14 +0000

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP Chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the Kasibugga temple stampede in Srikakulam district. He said the loss of devotees in the tragedy was extremely painful. Jagan mentioned that reports suggest ten devotees have died in the incident and urged the government to immediately support the affected families. He also called for proper medical care for the injured and asked party cadres to assist in relief efforts.

Jagan recalled that similar incidents had occurred earlier at temples across the state. He pointed out that during Vaikunta Ekadashi in Tirupati, six devotees lost their lives in a stampede. Likewise, seven devotees had died in a tragic incident at Simhachalam Temple.

Expressing grief over repeated tragedies, Jagan said the Kasibugga incident was another painful reminder of inadequate safety measures at temples. He appealed to the state government to take responsibility and act swiftly to ensure such events never recur.

He emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of devotees during major religious gatherings and strengthen management at all temples to prevent future disasters.

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