TIRUMALA, India — The sacred Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, one of the world’s busiest Hindu pilgrimage sites, witnessed an unprecedented surge of devotees on Saturday as approximately 150,000 pilgrims arrived for Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) Darshan during a three-day holiday weekend. The extraordinary turnout prompted temple authorities to cancel Monday’s VIP Break Darshan to prioritize access for regular worshippers.
According to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the overwhelming influx of pilgrims resulted in waiting lines stretching nearly five kilometers (about three miles), extending up to the Pachikaluva Gangamma Temple. Major waiting facilities, including the Vaikuntham Queue Complex-2 and Narayanagiri sheds, reached full capacity as thousands of devotees waited patiently for their turn to offer prayers.
Temple officials reported that non-token devotees were facing an estimated 18-hour wait for Darshan due to the unprecedented crowd. On the previous day, 81,340 devotees successfully completed their visit to the temple, highlighting the sharp increase in pilgrim numbers over the holiday period.
To reduce congestion and ensure a smoother experience for the general public, TTD Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chowdary announced that Monday’s VIP Break Darshan has been canceled. He also confirmed that recommendation letters for Sunday’s VIP Break Darshan will not be accepted, a move aimed at giving more ordinary devotees the opportunity to visit the temple.
In addition, the temple administration has canceled the issuance of 800 Srivani Trust tickets that are typically made available through the online current booking system. However, 200 Srivani tickets will continue to be issued at Tirupati Airport for eligible pilgrims.
The TTD administration has deployed additional officers, staff members, and police personnel across Tirumala to efficiently manage the massive crowds. Authorities have strengthened security arrangements, expanded crowd-control measures, and increased on-ground coordination to ensure devotees can complete their pilgrimage safely and smoothly.
Officials expect the heavy rush to continue through Sunday, urging pilgrims to plan accordingly and cooperate with temple authorities as they work to maintain order at one of India’s most revered Hindu temples.
