Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara Swamy darshan from today

Tirupati: Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is spruced up ahead of the commencement of darshan which will resume on Monday after a gap of 80 days.

The entire temple complex, four Mada streets surrounding the shrine, queue lines leading to the shrine, Annadanam complex, accommodation allotment counters and the main tonsure centre (Kalyana Katta) were cleaned up thoroughly and sanitised looking spick and span while additional arrangements like providing sanitisers, rearranging the queue lines and seats ensuring physical distance at all points are in place.

Sign boards on dos and don'ts were also put up all along the queue lines and also at various places including outside the shrine to stress on the people to strictly adhere to safety norms to prevent the spreads of Covid-19.

To begin with, 6,000 employees will be allowed for darshan on the first two days on trial basis after which darshan to general public as well as break-darshan to VIPs will start from June 11. One laddu each will be given free after darshan and if anyone requires additional laddus they can avail it at Rs 50 per laddu at the counters outside the shrine.

As a precautionary measure, the TTD has decided to dispense with Theertham and Satari and also barred darshan in the sub-temples inside the temple and also entry into Pushkarini (the temple tank). However, Annadanam Complex will function from morning to evening for providing food from Monday onwards.

Srivari Dharma Ratham buses providing free transport facility on the hills will also resume services from Monday and the APSRTC is to deploy 100 buses from Monday for ferrying employees and later pilgrims visiting Tirumala for darshan.

Meanwhile, TTD Additional Executive Officer A V Dharma Reddy inspected the queue lines and other focal points to recheck the arrangements being made for the commencement of darshan.

The TTD has made elaborate arrangements at Alipiri, the entry point to Tirumala, where everyone will be screened before allowing them to go the hills. The arrangements include random test for Covid-19 and sample collection for testing.

Additional staff including security personnel were deployed for checking at Alipiri to ensure every vehicle is sanitised and everyone wears masks.