Tirupati: Darshan for pilgrims only with time slot tokens from March 17

Tirupati: With coronavirus threat (COVID 19) looming large all over the nation, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) administering the famed hill temple of Lord Venkateswara, Tirumala, took up drastic changes in the darshan system in Tirumala so as to avoid gathering of pilgrims at one place and also resolved to cancel the yearly mass event of `Sitarama Kalyanam' in Vontimitta.

However, the Kalyanam will be held as usual at Sri Kodandaramaswamy temple, as part of the annual Brahmotsavams which will commence on April 2 this year. The TTD also decided to postpone `Bhumi pooja' for the construction of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Mumbai which is originally slated on April 5 also postponed indefinitely.

The pilgrims will be allowed for darshan only by issuing time slot tokens without making them wait in compartments from March 17 onwards as a preventive measure to check the spread of coronavirus, said TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal.

Addressing mediapersons at Annamaiah Bhavan at Tirumala on Saturday evening, the EO said, "Responding to the call given by the State government to take up concrete steps to check the prevalence of coronavirus as Tirumala happens to be the most populated pilgrim centre with highest congregation of pilgrims in the country, we have contemplated drastic measures in darshan system."

Accordingly, the devotees will not be made to sit in the compartments of Vaikuntham queue complex to avoid person to person contact. "In the given time slots, the pilgrims will be allowed for darshan by limiting the numbers. The devotees should bring any ID card viz Aadhaar, voter, driving licence etc. along with them to get the time slot tokens for darshan," he explained.

Additional arrangements are being made at Tirumala and Tirupati for issuing of time-slot tokens to devotees, he said seeking devotees to co-operate with TTD as they will have darshan only in the time slots given to them. They will not be allowed for darshan if they fail to come on time.

In view of the State alert on corona threat, the celestial wedding ceremony of Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam which will be observed at Vontimitta as a part of the annual Brahmotsavams of Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy temple is cancelled this year.

Many States have already declared ban on public congregation in many places especially religious centres, gyms, pubs, theatres etc. to avoid the spread of corona.

As more than one lakh devotees are expected to converge for the celestial Kalyanam on April 7 at Vontimitta and sit for nearly 6-7 hours, the TTD has decided to cancel the mass fete keeping in view the health safety of devotees. However, the Kalyanam will be observed in the temple as usual on the same day," he mentioned.

The Bhoomi Pooja for the construction of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Mumbai which is scheduled on April 5, is also postponed following coronavirus threat.

In addition to the drastic change in darshan system, the TTD management also cancelled many Arjitha Sevas including Visesha Puja, Sahasra Kalasabhishekam and Vasanthotsavam to avoid congregation of pilgrims for long duration. If any devotee is cancelling these Arjitha Seva tickets, they will be allotted with VIP break darshan by the Additional EO upon their request.

EO took the occasion to explain in detail the intense and elaborate cleaning measures in Tirumala and also in Tirupati.

Thermal screening is arranged at Alipiri, Srivarimettu, VQC, KKC and Annaprasadam also where the gathering of pilgrims is more. The cottages and rest houses will be allotted to pilgrims only after thoroughly cleaning them with disinfectants.

The Health Officer is also directed to deploy more number of sanitation workers at all the vital points. Each area will be allotted to a senior officer who will observe the sanitation and cleaning process round the clock and report the same to Addititional EO at Tirumala", he said.

Dhanvantari Yagam from March 19 to 21: Seeking the divine intervention to safeguard the humanity from the dreadful virus, the TTD will be observing a three-day Maha Yagam, Sri Srinivasa Shantyotsava Sahita Dhanvantari Maha Yagam from March 19 to 21 under the guidance of the chief Ppntiff of Visakha Sarada Peetham, Sri Swarupanandendra Saraswathi Swamy and Mantralaya Raghavendra Mutt seer Sri Subudendratheertha Swamy at Paruveta Mandapam in Tirumala.

The EO making a renewed appeal to devotees via media, said the changes were made in view of the red alert sounded by Central and State governments over the spread of coronavirus, to protect the health of pilgrims.

Additional Executive Officer A V Dharma Reddy was also present.