In a major relief to the devotees reaching Tirumala on ‘foot’, the TTD has decided to continue with the issuance of ‘Divya darshan’ tokens round the year with an exception on some important and festive days. In an innovative step, it has also introduced ‘time slot’ system for the darshan for them from Monday.
The priority being provided to the Divya darshan holders has led to disgruntlement among a section of devotees. To strike a balance among diverse sections of devotees, the management on an experimental basis on June 25 had decided to suspend the issuance of darshan tokens during the weekends.
But interestingly during the entire three-week assessment period, the TTD was flooded with mails requesting it to drop the proposal.
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Respecting the sentiments of the devotees, the management has resolved to issue 20,000 tokens every day all through the year.
The ‘time slot’ system will facilitate them report for the darshan at the appropriate time as mentioned on the tokens so that the pilgrims need not spend gruelling hours in the lines.
TTD Executive officer Anil Kumar Singhal said, “Our intention is to minimise the difficulties of the visiting pilgrims” and assure them a comfortable darshan and accommodation.
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After a careful analysis of the statistics, the management has arrived at a decision that an allocation of 20,000 tickets each for ₹300 special entry darshan and the Divya darshan will in no way affect the common pilgrims as it could comfortably provide darshan to about 80,000 pilgrims on an average every day — thanks to the recent changes introduced in the darshan lines.
Should the present arrangements yield desired results, then the day is not far away when the ‘time slot’ system will also be extended to the Dharma darshan pilgrims making the sacred town ‘free’ from all kinds of queue lines, Mr. Singhal added.