Tirupati Balaji Temple reopens its doors for devotees from today; bars entry for visitors from containment zones

The Lord Venkateshwara Temple in Tirumala reopened its door for devotees today, after remaining closed for almost 80 days. As per the reports, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) resumed Srivari darshan at Tirumala for devotees from today, after successfully conducting trial runs for three days.

After successful trials by the staff, tickets for darshan have been made available online for devotees. The temple opens with strict precautionary measures in place, such as maintaining social distance, wearing masks, among others. TTD has made all arrangements to regulate the entry and flow of people entering the temple, while all precautionary measures are put in place.
Initially, it was proposed that only 6000 devotees will be provided darshan in a day. However, after conducting the trial runs, it is likely that the TTD will allow more devotees to enter the temple.

Referring to this, TTD Trust Board Chairman YV Subba Reddy said that they will increase the number of devotees to be allowed for darshan per hour every day, and also stressed the need to educate them to follow precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.Subba Reddy also added that while the TTD planned to allow 6000 employees and locals each day during the trial runs, they were able to provide darshan to 6500 on the first day, 8500 on the second day, whereas 7100 devotees entered the temple on the third day. In all, the TTD enabled darshan to 21982 pilgrims in three days.

He also mentioned that within a couple of days, they might likely increase the number of pilgrims to be allowed per day to 10000, but to contain the spread of Coronavirus, the devotees need to be educated.
Reportedly, devotees coming from the containment zones will be denied entry even if they have valid tickets. Also, children below the age of 10 years, and senior citizens above the age of 65, are banned from entering the temple, as of now. Devotees will not be allowed to visit the sub-shrines inside the temple.