Tirumala’s Lord Venkateswara temple is witnessing an extraordinary rush this summer, with 3,28,702 devotees having darshan in just four days, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the temple, has said. On May 25, a record number of 91,538 devotees had darshan in over 18 hours.
On Tuesday, TTD officials and the state forest department scrambled to ensure the safety of devotees who walk up the Alipiri footpath through the forested hills to the temple, after a leopard was spotted along the route.
Officials said that in spite of the scare, devotees did not hesitate, and that adequate arrangements have been made by posting guards to ensure their safety. On Tuesday, TTD executive officer J Syamala Rao held a meeting with the TTD forest department, the state forest department, and others on how to manage leopards straying into the path of pilgrims.
Moreover, in view of the ongoing summer vacation, TTD has made extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth movement and darshan of devotees, its joint executive officer V Veerabrahmam said.
Srivari Seva Volunteers posted at the site are distributing food and beverages to devotees. The arrangements mean an additional 10,000 devotees can have darshan each day as compared to regular days.
Between Thursday and Sunday, when 3,28,702 devotees had darshan of Sri Venkateswara, the Annaprasadam department served 10,98,170 meals and 4,55,160 beverages (tea/coffee/milk/buttermilk) to the devotees. As many as 1,52,587 devotees tonsured their hair, and 12,172 availed medical services provided by the TTD medical department at various locations in Tirumala.
The health department is maintaining a supply of drinking water and cleanliness, with 2,150 sanitary workers, supervisors, inspectors, and unit officers deployed in three shifts.
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In view of the upcoming annual Brahmotsavams of Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple, scheduled to be held from June 2 to June 10, TTD executive officer J Syamala Rao instructed officials to make elaborate arrangements, keeping in mind the summer conditions. He emphasised the need for facilities such as shade pandals, whitewashing, and paintings to enhance the temple’s festive look.
On Tuesday, in view of the increased movement of wild cats in the area, a review meeting was held at the TTD office. Syamala Rao said it was decided to deploy additional forces.
“More measures are being taken to ensure the Alipiri footpath is a no-leopard zone, which include camera traps, bio-fences, net-guns, high flash torches, and pepper sprays,” an official said.
In August 2023, a six-year-old girl who got separated from her parents while walking along the Alipiri stairs was found dead the next day. Two months earlier, a three-year-old boy was also attacked by a wild animal on the footpath route, but survived the attack.
