Tirumala: VIP fad halts pilgrims’ progress

Tirumala: The hasty decision taken by TTD recently which is loaded in favour of VIP devotees, is having a cascading effect on the rush of pilgrims to the famed temple.

The number of pilgrims has dwindled alarmingly following the authorities’ decision to impose curbs on passes during special days and auspicious occasions.

Pilgrims, who visited on Wednesday, expressed their resentment for being given a raw deal by the authorities.

The fallout is the direct consequence of the VIP-favouring decisions taken at the behest of TTD officials, who are going all-out to make special arrangements for the rich and famous at the cost of the common pilgrim.

Earlier, the TTD officials used to change rules to facilitate the rush of the pilgrims’. It was so comfortably and diligently implemented that in 2010 the New Year day saw 90,000 people getting darshan of the Lord without any hassles while it was close to 1.15 lakh on Vaikunta Ekadasi! However, since then the problems have grown manifold with the officials restricting the entry of the common man.

As a result only 65,000 devotees were allowed each day. In a welcome gesture, the TTD Board announced that 25,000 tokens were earmarked for pilgrims coming by walk on January 1 of this year. Even though issue of tokens was taken up earlier than the scheduled time, there was no rush to purchase them.

It was so dismal that the TTD had to sell Rs 300 tickets of special darshan while the turnout for Sarva Darshanam also fell short of their expectations.

A devotee said that it was a shock to people like him that TTD officials have reportedly stated that they will learn from this experience and make suitable amends in the days ahead. TTD EO M G Gopal earlier announced that Tirumala JEO KS Srinivasa Rajwill provide all facilities to the pilgrims, only to withdraw it later. According to sources, VIPs had applied for Vaikunta Ekadasi passes in large numbers. Keeping in mind the heavy rush, the Board scheduled 2am to 6am for VIP darshan and ‘Laghu’ darshan.

Perhaps, it is time the officials take the public outcry as a wake-up call and initiate necessary measures to win over the trust, and subsequently the flow, of pilgrims, who are not children of a lesser God.