TTD to reconsider its decision on restricting devotees from August 9 to August 17

With Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam’s (TTD) recent decision of restricting darshan for devotees from August 9 to August 17 drawing flak, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials on Tuesday to allow darshan for a limited number of devotees during the period.

As per the information provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) on Saturday, ‘Maha Samprokshana’, which is a cleansing ritual performed once in 12 years, would be taking place. The temple would be shut down for devotees from 6 PM on August 9 to 6 AM on August 17.

“Pilgrims will not be allowed to enter Vaikuntham Queue Complex for darshan after 6 pm on August 9. The darshan will resume to pilgrims only after 6 am from August 17 on wards. We therefore request the pilgrim devotees of Lord Venkateswara present across the globe to plan their pilgrimage accordingly”, informed an earlier press release by the TTD board.

After receiving instructions from Chandrababu Naidu, the TTD officials said that they would reconsider their decision and announce the final decision at the Trust Board meeting on July 24, it has been reported.

“The decision to close the temple for devotees during the ritual was taken to avoid inconvenience to them. However, we will take a final decision at the next Trust Board meeting on July 24. There is still a week for the meeting, we will take the opinions and views of devotees and experts,” TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal was quoted as saying.