Tirupati Rush Update: Darshan Waiting Time At Tirumala Temple Is 18 Hours For Today

Though many expected a decline in pilgrim numbers to the Lord Balaji Temple in Tirumala as summer holidays ended and schools reopened, the temple town is still witnessing an overwhelming rush.

On Monday (June 9), 84,258 pilgrims had darshan, and 33,502 had their heads tonsured. The hundi collections that day totalled Rs. 3.90 crore.

On Tuesday, the waiting time for darshan stands at 18 hours. On Sunday morning, all compartments for darshan were filled to capacity, and thousands of devotees stood in queues outside, eager to seek blessings from Lord Venkateswara, revered as the living deity of Kaliyuga.

Just this past Saturday, a record-breaking 88,257 devotees had the divine darshan of Lord Venkateswara, with 45,068 performing the customary head tonsure as a mark of devotion. The Srivari Hundi collection that day brought in a significant Rs. 3.68 crore.

According to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials, the surge in pilgrims began around mid-May, peaking during the school vacation period. Even as the monsoon showers approach and schools are about to resume, officials anticipate that this influx will continue for at least another week.

To accommodate the swelling crowd, TTD has expanded the waiting areas, including adding lines at the Narayanagiri Sheds. They're also working to manage the situation by ensuring the comfort and safety of all visitors.

Meanwhile, with reports of tigers seen near footpaths and roads leading to Tirumala, TTD, along with forest and police authorities, has increased safety measures for all devotees.

In other news, TTD has clarified that a viral video showing a man consuming alcohol is falsely claimed to have been filmed in Tirumala. The video was actually shot at Alipiri, near the start of the ghat road, which is outside Tirumala limits. The temple trust also urged devotees not to believe such misleading propaganda. They emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against those spreading false information that tarnishes the sanctity of Tirumala.

TTD continues to appeal to devotees to ignore baseless rumors and to support the temple authorities in maintaining the sanctity and order of one of India's most revered pilgrimage sites.