Tirupati Temple Board Issues New Route Guidelines For Pilgrims And Children

Pilgrims are strictly restricted to take footpath routes to Lord Venkateshwar Temple by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

The restriction came after the authority recorded an increase in the movement of leopards in the area.

Recently a shocking incident took place when a six-year-old girl died in a leopard attack on August 11 night and since then strict rules are imposed on the pilgrims especially for children below 15 years of age.

Pilgrims with children aged below 15 years will be permitted to trek the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu footpaths between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. Two-wheelers will not be allowed to ply on the ghat roads between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The TTD said the restrictions were being imposed for the safety of devotees.

The decision to impose restrictions comes in the wake of sighting of leopards at five places the previous night that include three points on the stretch between Alipiri to Galigopuram, one at Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple and the 38th bend on the first ghat road leading to Tirupati.

The TTD said that the restrictions would be in force till the issues pertaining to wild animals were resolved and appealed to the devotees to extend their cooperation.