Six people lost their lives after a stampede broke out among people queuing up to collect tokens at Andhra Pradesh’s famous Tirupati Balaji temple. While many people have been injured. So let us know how to have darshan in Tirupati. How is the token system and VIP and general darshan system? Let’s find out.
What is the token system for?
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is in the hands of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Tirumala Temple is managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). It is an autonomous institution. Not only the temple, TTD is also responsible for the administration and maintenance of the surrounding area. TTD is organizing Vaikuntha Dwar Darshanam on the occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi from January 10. This darshan will continue till January 19. A special token system has been arranged for this. Due to which devotees are coming to the temple in large numbers.
In view of the crowd, 94 counters are being set up at eight places in the temple and tokens are already being distributed. Vaikuntha gate can be seen only symbolically. According to media reports, more than one lakh tokens are to be issued for this darshan on January 10, 11 and 12 alone. This caused a stampede among the gathered people.
How many devotees are there on a normal day?
- On normal days, the gates of Tirupati Balaji temple open at 3 am for darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Darshan is available here till 1.30 pm. After this the doors of the temple are closed for an hour. The doors open again at 2.30 pm and remain open for devotees till 9.30 pm.
- TTD’s website states that even on normal days, 60 to 80 thousand devotees come here every day for darshan. There is a provision of darshan for common devotees, which is completely free. Such devotees wait for their turn at Vaikunthadham Q Complex II.
- There is also a provision for express darshan i.e. special entry darshan. Under this, devotees can get tickets three hours before the darshan by paying a fee of Rs 300 per person. These tickets are available on TTD website, e-Darshan counter and India Post Office. Devotees of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana can also get these tickets from AP Online and TSOnline centres.
When can VVIP darshan be done?
- There is also a provision for VVIP darshan in the temple. Arrangements for this are made between regular darshan timings which may be 6 to 7 am, 9 to 10 am and 5:30 to 6:30 pm. it
- The devotee has to give a special donation amount to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. According to media reports, this amount ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000 per person. It is said that those who donate so much get darshan tickets without any hassle. For this, first of all you have to register on TTD website. Then one has to go to the JEO camp office at Gokulam, Tirumala and get the ticket by donating at a separate counter.
How many doors are there in the temple?
- Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple has several entrances. Its names are also unique. There are some beliefs also attached to it.
- The Mahadwaram or main gate is located to the east of the temple complex. It is also known as Annamacharya Pravesh.
- Bangaru Vakili or the golden gateway is located to the south of the temple. It is also known as Swami Pushkarini Gate. Which leads to the holy reservoir Swami Pushkarini. Vaikuntha Dwaram is situated to the north of the temple and is considered to be the gateway to Vaikuntha i.e. heaven. This door is opened only on special occasions.
- Nadimipadhamu is located to the north-west of the temple and is believed to be named after the footprints left by Lord Venkateswara.
- Sarva Darshan Dwar is located in the west of the temple, which is used by devotees for general darshan.
- The sixth entrance is located to the north-west of the temple. Which is used by VIPs, donors and special guests.
- The Ani Mutangi Seva entrance is located to the north-east of the temple, which is used by devotees who purchase Ani Mutangi Seva tickets for special pujas.
How can you go to Balaji?
- Tirupati Balaji can be visited from different parts of the country by rail, road and air. Talking about the national capital Delhi, there are direct trains from there to Tirupati. These trains cover a distance of approximately 2120 km. The nearest station to Tirumala Temple is Tirupati.
- Apart from this, one can go to Chennai by train and then proceed by road. The road distance from Chennai to Tirupati is said to be approximately 140 km.
- There is also good air travel facility for Tirupati. Flights are easily available from Delhi to Tirupati and nearby airports.
- The nearest airport to Tirupati Balaji Temple is Tirupati Airport. Its distance from the temple is 13 km.
- Apart from this, Balaji can also be visited through Chennai Airport, Bengaluru Airport, Tiruchirappalli Airport and Coimbatore Airport.
