Tirupati: TTD decides not to rise number of pilgrims allowed for darshan

Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had resolved against increasing the present number of pilgrims being allowed for darshan in view of the soaring Covid-19 cases in different States.

At the emergency trust board meeting held at Tirumala on Saturday, it was decided not to go in for increasing the daily number of pilgrims for darshan.

Briefing the media on the decisions taken at the meeting, TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy said that though not even a single devotee tested positive, the TTD resolved not to enhance the pilgrim numbers for darshan till this month end in view of Covid cases increasing across the country.

He was all praise for the pilgrims who he said were scrupulously following

the Covid guidelines prescribed by the TTD and extending cooperation for a hassle-free darshan of Lord Venkateswara.

In the same breath the Chairman appealed to devotees to avoid pilgrimage to Tirumala if they are in Red Zone or containment zone.

Over the request of some devotees, the TTD is considering Online Kalyanotsavam in which the archakas would read out Gotra Namas of the devotees who book the Kalyanotsavam online and also planning to send prasadams through the postal departments, Reddy said adding that the officials will discuss with priests on this subject to take further steps.

On the safety measures taken up by TTD, he said at Kalyanakatta (tonsure centre) the barbers will be given gloves and PPE kits for the safety of both barbers as well as the pilgrims. The barber has to change the hand gloves after every tonsure.

Vahanams will also be sanitised at regular intervals and similar measures are taken even at prasadam distribution centres and also at local temples, chairman averred.

The 15-year-long pending issue of Karnataka choultries had been resolved with the initiatives of both the CMs of AP and Karnataka. In the land leased to Karnataka Charities at Tirumala, both TTD and Karnataka government have agreed to construct a Pilgrim Amenities Complex and Kalyana Mandapam, he informed.

He further said the Karnataka government would soon submit a plan to the TTD Board for approval. Thereafter the Karnataka government will also deposit Rs 200 crore with TTD for taking up the construction works. In the ensuing Sravana month, Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa assured to come for a foundation stone laying ceremony for which TTD would also invite Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy to participate.

Another important decision taken in the meet is live telecast of TTD Trust Board meeting on the lines of the Assembly meeting, Reddy said adding that from next meeting SVBC will take up the live telecast.

To have transparency in allotting sites towards the construction of rest houses in Tirumala, online bidding process will be enabled soon, he said.

Six members, three invitees and TTD officials attended the meeting at Tirumala while other members participated in the deliberations through a video-conference.