TTD scraps offline token system for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan

Tirumala: Marking a major shift from the earlier practice of distributing Vaikuntha Darshan tokens at multiple counters in Tirupati, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Tuesday decided to scrap offline tokens and make it an online process completely.

This time, tokens will be issued through an online e-dip for the first three days of the festival, followed by Sarva Darshan for the remaining seven days. Until the previous Vaikunta Ekadasi, tokens for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan were issued at nearly 10 counters across Tirupati, drawing massive crowds from within and outside the State.

On January 8 this year, a stampede at a token distribution centre in Bairagipatteda claimed six lives and left several others injured, sparking widespread speculation about whether the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshan system would be continued.

Despite these concerns, the TTD board has recently decided to retain the 10-day format but now introduced significant changes in token issuance to avoid a repeat of the January tragedy.

Under the new mechanism, only devotees who secure Sarva Darshan tokens through the online e-dip will be allowed Vaikunta Dwara Darshan during the first three days - December 30 to January 1. For the remaining seven days, devotees will have to enter the temple through Vaikuntham Queue Complex-2 for Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan, as per the usual procedure.

The TTD Trust Board held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to review arrangements for Vaikunta Ekadasi and the New Year rush. Briefing reporters afterwards, TTD Chairman BR Naidu said the shift to a fully digital system was aimed at preventing congestion on Tirupati’s streets and ensuring a safer, more transparent allocation process.

Registrations for the e-dip will open from November 27 to December 1, with tokens to be allotted on December 2. All other forms of darshan, except for those holding online tokens, will remain cancelled during the first three days. From January 2 to 8, devotees without tickets or tokens will be allowed Sarva Darshan as usual.

Naidu said the guidelines were finalised as per the directions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, with clear priority given to common devotees. Of the eight lakh Vaikunta Darshan tokens to be issued, 164 hours out of the planned 182 hours of Darshan across ten days have been earmarked for ordinary pilgrims.

For the seven days after January 1, TTD will release 15,000 Special Entry Darshan tickets online each day, along with 1,000 Srivani tickets. All recommendation-based darshans will remain cancelled, except for protocol dignitaries arriving in person. For Tirumala residents, 5,000 Sarva Darshan tokens will be issued online on January 6, 7, and 8.

The Chairman also said the Chief Minister will lay the foundation stone on November 27 for the second prakaram of the Sri Venkateswara Temple at Amaravati. On the Parakamani case, the board decided to seek an impartial investigation and resolved that strict action be taken against those found responsible.