Tirupati: TTD says no to VIP passes for New Year Day at Tirumala

Tirupati, Dec 30: Bracing itself to manage the expected huge rush of devotees on the occasion of New Year day, the administration of the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara has decided not to entertain VIP requests.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the cash-rich temple, for the first time has taken a decision not to entertain all kinds of recommendation letters issued by VIPs for darshan and other facilities to their near and dear ones visiting the hills on January 1, TTD Public Relations Officer T Ravi told PTI.

Only protocol VIPs would be given priority in getting accommodation and special entry tickets for darshan on payment, he said. As part of the arrangements to manage the crowd, the temple management has also cancelled all daily rituals, including 'Kalyanotsavam' (celestial wedding) on January 1.

With a view to ensuring darshan of Lord Venkateswara to all, devotees would be allowed into the temple uninterruptedly from dawn to beyond midnight on the new year day, he said.

A thick security blanket would be thrown in and around Tirumala hills including the 10-km long stairway leading to the shrine, he added.

PTI