The special and senior citizens visiting Tirumala for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara urge the TTD to take a sympathetic view of the difficulties being faced by them.
Though they thank the temple administration for extending several benefits to them, they feel let down as the management is yet to finalise a permanent ‘entry point’ for them for the darshan of the presiding deity.
Given its location behind the main temple complex, the ‘entry point’ they feel is convoluted.
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Of course, the management has deployed a couple of battery-operated cars at the Sri Venkateswara museum to ferry them to the ‘entry point’.
The presence of security guards to guide them is also commendable. But by the time the devotees get acquainted with the topography and the regulations, some of them miss the darshan slot and are forced to wait for his/her turn in the succeeding slot.
The special and senior citizens (65 years and above) are allowed in two slots — 10.00 am and 3.00 pm. — for the darshan every day and only 750 persons are allowed in each slot.
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People who have undergone by-pass surgery and those suffering from respiratory and other serious ailments are also allowed under the system on production of medical records.
An attendant can accompany them depending on their physical condition. The management has dispensed with the morning slot on Fridays owing to certain compelling reasons.
Parthasarathy (69) from Chennai says the existing ‘entry point’ does not suit them for two reasons. It is hard to identify the location tucked as it is from inside between the two massive Vaikuntham complexes and is even difficult to reach from other routes for lack of proper conveyance.
Only a physically challenged or an elderly person can explain what it means to him measuring the entire stretch on his crippled limbs or ailing body.
They urge the TTD management to identify a location in close proximity to the temple