TTD bans advance reservation of rooms during Brahmotsavam

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management has resolved to do away with the system of advance reservation of accommodation at Tirumala from September 25 till the completion of the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara slated to commence from the following day.

The TTD is equipped with more than 6,650 cottages atop the holy shrine — sufficient enough to roughly accommodate over 50,000 pilgrims. The decision has been taken with a twin objective of accommodating the thronging devout on a day-to-day basis and at the same time prevent the black-marketing which shall be at its soaring height during the festival period.

The management also has categorically made it clear that even though the cottage donor recommendation letters will not be entertained during the festival period the donors coming in person will be accorded priority.

Meanwhile, over three dozen private religious institutions like Mutts and choultries existing atop the temple town also have expressed their willingness to part with 50 per cent of rooms available with them to the TTD during the Brahmotsavams period.