Unprecedented summber Rush Continues in Tirumala; TTD Strengthens Arrangements for devotees
Tirumala, May 21 (TNT): Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has intensified arrangements for devotees in view of the unprecedented summer rush being witnessed at Tirumala over the past several days.
According to TTD officials, the influx of pilgrims visiting the shrine of Lord Venkateswara has increased significantly during the summer vacation season and is expected to continue over the coming weeks.
In response to the heavy footfall, TTD has erected special sheds around the Srivari Temple surroundings, Laddu counters and other high-density locations.
Synthetic enamel cool paint has also been applied on the four Mada Streets to reduce ground heat for devotees.
Temporary toilet facilities have been arranged along queue lines stretching from Batagangamma Temple Circle to the Outer Ring Road.
Hundreds of Srivari Sevaks are distributing drinking water and Annaprasadams round the clock to devotees waiting in outside serpentine queue lines.
Under the supervision of the TTD Health Department, mobile water drums are also being deployed in crowded areas to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply.
A mobile first-aid centre has additionally been stationed along the queue lines on the Outer Ring Road in view of the summer conditions and heavy crowd movement.
TTD said accommodation facilities in Tirumala remain heavily occupied due to the surge in pilgrim arrivals. Around 60,000 devotees can be accommodated at a time, while all 9,000 lockers available at various Pilgrim Amenities Complexes (PACs) are presently fully occupied.
For devotees offering tonsure, the administration has kept the main Kalyanakatta and 11 mini Kalyanakattas operational round the clock.
According to TTD statistics, a total of 4,32,213 devotees had darshan of Lord Venkateswara during the last five days. More than 90,000 devotees visited the temple on May 16 and May 17 alone.
The number of devotees offering tonsure also rose sharply, with over 43,000 pilgrims offering hair on May 18, 19 and 20.
During the last five days, nearly 19 lakh devotees were served Annaprasadams, tea, coffee, milk and buttermilk at various locations across Tirumala.
TTD officials said all departments were continuously monitoring darshan queue lines, Narayanagiri sheds and compartments at the Vaikuntham Queue Complex to ensure that devotees do not face inconvenience during the ongoing rush.
TNT LE
