Pandemonium broke out at the entrance to the Vaikuntam Queue Complex in Tirumala with heavy surge of pilgrims on Saturday, leading to a stampede-like situation in which some pilgrims were reported slightly injured.
According to reports, around 1.00 pm, the hill abode of the Lord was choked with devotees from across the country, following fag-end of Dasara vacation and being the third Saturday, the favorite day of the Lord. Thousands of pilgrims, both availing general darshan (sarva darshan) and privileged darshan (divya darshan) for the footpath trekking devotees, reached the Vaikuntam Queue Complex-II, leading to heavy jostling and unruly situation.
The unexpected turn of event resulted in some pilgrims, including women, aged and children, falling to the ground. In a flash, the security force of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) rushed to the spot and controlled the frenzied crowd. The injured were taken to the TTD-run Ashwini hospital, and were given the first aid. Some TTD officials later guided the pilgrims regarding their darshan.
Meanwhile, the heavy throng of devotees at Tirumala threw a beleaguered situation to the pilgrims, taking more than 34 hours for general darshan, and nearly 24 hours for the pedestrians. In order to control the rush, the TTD has suspended the issue of Divya Darshan tokens along the footpaths to Tirumala at Srivarimettu and Galigopuram points till the crowds get eased out. A 3-km long queue line of devotees was reported in Tirumala, and the rush is expected to continue till Sunday evening.
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