TTD asks devotees to wear masks during Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan

TIRUPATI: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has urged the devotees, who will attend Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, to wear masks in the wake of the fresh COVID-19 guidelines issued by Central and State Governments.

The TTD, which has set up 92 counters in Tirupati to distribute tickets for Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan, has also stated that only devotees with tickets or tokens would be allowed.

The quasi-government organisation has also enabled the QR code facility for the benefit of devotees. Around 10,000 devotees are expected to visit the temple during the 10 days of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan.

The TTD said in an official statement released on Tuesday that Govinda mala devotees should only come with tokens to avoid any inconvenience. The TTD stated that no Srivani tickets would be distributed in person.

The issuance of free Slotted Sarva Darshanam (SSD) tokens would commence by 2 pm on January 1 at nine centres consisting of 92 counters at Bhudevi Complex, Indira Maidan, Ramachandra Pushkarini, Jeevakona ZP high school, Vishnu Nivasam, Srinivasam, Ramanaidu Municipal High School, Seshadrinagar ZP High School in Bairagipettada and Govindarajaswami choultries 2 and 3 in Tirupati. This apart, four counters are reserved exclusively for Tirumala residents at Koustubham Rest House.

The TTD has been organising the 10-day Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan between January 2 and 11 to accommodate more number of devotees and this practice has been in vogue for the past three years, said TTD Trust Board Chairman YV Subba Reddy.

Speaking to mediapersons along with TTD EO (FAC) Anil Kumar Singhal and other top officials, the Chairman said, "In view of the recent guidelines by Central and State Governments, we appeal to the devotees who will be coming to Tirumala for Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan to wear masks which is mandatory. We will make other arrangements like frequent sanitisation of crowded places to ensure health safety and security of the visiting pilgrims. The TTD has planned to issue a total 45,000 Slotted Sarva Darshan (SSD) tickets per day starting from January 2 to 11."

All arrangements for food, water and beverages have been made at these counters and mobile toilets have also been installed. To facilitate the devotees coming from various neighbouring states to know about the counters, QR code facility boards have also been displayed at all these counters and at Cherlopalle, Pudi Road and Navajeevan Hospital areas.

The devotees with SSD tokens, shall have to report at Sri Krishna Teja Rest House in Tirumala on their specified date and time only, to avoid long waiting hours for darshan, the Chairman said.

In view of New Year Day on January 1, Vaikunta Ekadasi on January 2 and Vaikunta Dwadasi on January 3, all advance bookings for accommodation from December 29 to January 3 stand cancelled. Even the VIPs would also be allotted only two rooms as there is limited accommodation in Tirumala. In the larger interest of the common devotees, no VIP referral letters for darshan on January 2 and 3 will be accepted and are requested to co-operate with the management", he added.

On Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dwadasi, the darshan for common pilgrims commences by 6 am and will continue till 11 pm. On Vaikunta Ekadasi day, Swarna Ratham procession takes place between 9 am and 11 am. While on Vaikunta Dwadasi day, Chakra Snanam will be observed between 4.30 am and 5.30 am.

The Chairman appealed to the Govinda Mala devotees to come to Tirumala for Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan only with tokens to avoid any inconvenience.

Everyday, 1,000 devotees from backward areas across the state would be provided Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan during these 10 days.