Unprecented rush at Venkateswara temple

Tirumala, Apr 15 (UNI) The world famed Lord Venkateswara temple witnessed heavy influx of pilgrims, in view of summer holidays and Tamil New Year.

As rush was unprecedented, temple authorities, in order to control the devotees imposed 'Maha laghu darshan' system and dispensed with the issuance of special darshan tickets given on recomendation.

The serpentine queue in Vaikunta queue complex II was stretched to more than one km. Pilgrims, who could not get rooms at the hill top, were accomodated in temporary shelters put up by the TTD, a Devasthanam official said. He added that changes in timing of issuing Rs 50 special entry tickets also added to the woes of devotees coming from far off places.

With nearly 60,000 devotees offering worship to the lord since last night, the hundi collection crossed Rs One crore today.

UNI