The Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams has resolved to strictly restrict the VIP darshan privilege to only those dignitaries who come under the protocol category during the weekend days. The decision will be in force for 10 weeks from April 7.
No recommendation letters will be accepted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the period.
The decision has been taken in view of the summer season wherein the management expects a heavy turnout of pilgrims.
Also there shall be no discrimination of any kind between the L2 and L3 VIP darshan formats on the week days during the period.
The TTD has classified the VIP darshan into three categories.
L1 tickets are issued to the VIPs who come in person, L2 for their kith and kin and L3 for those with recommendation letters.
Works approved
TTD Chairman Ch. Krishna murthy on Monday told the media that the board had approved developmental work worth Rs. 86 crore during its marathon meeting.
A view of Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala hills in Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh, a southern Indian State. The sacred spot on the hill about 2,800 feet above sea level is known as Tirumala. The hill forms part of the Eastern Ghats and is also known as Venkatachala and Seshachala. The Puranic legends say that Lord Vishnu, of his own choice, came down to stay here for the benefit of humanity.
These include Rs. 53 crore towards housekeeping and management services at Tirumala. Besides sanctioning the construction of the Vakula matha guest house at Tirumala at a cost of Rs. 39 crore (as resolved by the previous board), the meeting also resolved to take up the construction of a marriage hall at Appalayagunta and Rayachoti in Kadapa at a cost of Rs. 3.10 crore and Rs. 1.25 crore respectively.
Sri Sambandhu Swamy devasthanam in Duggirala in West Godavari will be reconstructed at a cost of Rs. 1.42 crore. Developmental work at the Tirupati Devarayulu Devasthanam at Narasannakota in Anantapur will be taken up at a cost of Rs. 1.18 crore. Srinivasapura Venkateswara swamy at Velagalapalli in Kurnool and Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara swamy temple at Armuru in Nizamabad district will be renovated at a cost of Rs. 27.90 lakh and Rs. 31.25 lakh respectively.
Sona masuri rice (15.30 lakh kg) will be procured at Rs. 6.27 crore and Bengal gram (4 lakh kg) at Rs. 2.62 crore.
The board also resolved to invite Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to the Sita Rama Kalyanam at Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple in Kadapa district on April 10.
