NE NEWS SERVICE
TIRUPATI/HYDERABAD, NOV 25
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has facilitated a special darshan for senior citizens in Tirumala in around 30 minutes. According to TTD, two special slots are allotted for senior citizens visiting Tirumala. While the first darshan schedule starts at 10 am, the second schedule starts at 3 pm.
Senior citizens can avail of this benefit by showing proof of their age at the S1 counter. Photo ID proof is mandatory.
- TSRTC urges citizens to make use of TTD darshan tickets service
- TSRTC is currently operating about 30 buses from Hyderabad to Tirupati on a daily basis.
TTD said it has provided seating arrangements for senior citizens and added that the path is readied in such a way that there will be no need to climb stairs. The pilgrim will be provided with food while waiting for the darshan.
The cost of the ticket is free and they are also provided a laddu ticket (2 laddus per person) for Rs 20. One can pay Rs 25 for extra laddu. From the car parking area at the temple exit gate, a battery car is available to drop off the person at the counter.
The general darshan queue will be stopped for a while and the senior citizens are allowed to have darshan. Darshan will take around 30 minutes depending on the crowd, according to TTD officials.
TSRTC urges citizens to make use of TTD darshan tickets service
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) special darshan tokens available on the Telangana State Road Transport (TSRTC) portal have been receiving a good response from devotees.
However, RTC officials say that unlike booking trains at least a month ahead of the journey, in many instances citizens were booking bus tickets in the last minute. Those buying bus tickets less than a week’s time cannot find darshan token option on the portal, many tokens were left over.
Since the RTC with the support of the TTD authorities introduced Rs 300 special darshan tokens on its website (www.tsrtconline.in) in July, passengers have been booking bus tickets with special darshan tokens daily. The RTC is given about 1,000 special darshan tokens on a regular basis.
The TSRTC officials said, on average, 600 to 700 darshan tokens were being sold every day and the numbers go up during festivals, weekends and holidays. Since the service was launched, over 50,000 special darshan tokens have been sold.
“Devotees who want a hassle-free visit to Tirumala can get a bus ticket along with a darshan token under this service. At the time of bus booking, the portal pops-up a question asking if you need a special darshan token, and once you confirm, details of amount and Aadhaar card are collected and a special darshan token with barcode is issued,” said an official. The passengers on arriving Tirupati, can board a local bus from there to Tirumala free of cost.
The TSRTC officials say despite many darshan tokens being available, lack of awareness has many not opting for the bus service and end up facing difficulties in buying them from other services.
