Devotees opinions sought on darshan during Maha Samprokshanam: TTD

Tirumala: The temple management of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has invited the pilgrim devotees across the globe to give their opinionson how to provide darshan to devotees during Maha Samprokshanam fromAugust 11 to 16.

The TTD at first decided not to permit devotees during the Samprokshanam as it involves elaborate rituals right from morning to evening inside the temple leaving only few hours for darshan which may not at all cope with the huge number of devotees visiting the most popular Hindu temple.

What mainly deterred the TTD management was the holidays coming in between the Samproksahnam days during which the pilgrim crowd normally cross one lakh against its capacity to provide at the maximum 20000 to 25000 people in the four or five hours that would beavailable daily during the week-long ritual.

This would have resulted in large numberof pilgrims being left out without darshan resulting in resentment andeven protests that was experienced during Vaikunta Ekadasi.

Further,the fact that daily accumulation of thousands of pilgrims waiting for their turn to have darshan on holy hills during the fete makes it very tough for the TTD management to provide the facilities like accommodation, food, water etc.spurred the TTD not to permit darshan, as the safest measure.

However, the TTD at the behest of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who was apparently jtttered at the widespread strong reaction from all quarters including devotees, politicians and others directed the TTD to reconsider its decision, forcing it to revoke its earlier decision to allow devotees during the ritual.

TD EO Anil Kumar Singhal along with TTD Trust Board Chairman P Sudhakar Yadav appealed to devotees on Tuesday during a press conference seeking the public opinion on darshan since there will be less than 5 hours left out for darshan during Astabandhana Balalaya Maha Samprokshanam in the above said dates.

The pilgrims can give their opinion before the forenoon of July 23 and a final call on darshan will be taken during TTD Trust Board Meeting which is scheduled to take place on July 24, said a press release issued by TTD on Wednesday hinting that the TTD is in dilemma on allowing darshan during Maha Samprokshanam.

To express their opinion, pilgrims can contact the following numbers. Call Centre Nos. 0877-2233333/ 2277777; Toll Free Nos. 1800425333333/ 18004254141; Whatsapp No. 9399399399; Mail ID. [email protected], the release added.