Addressing media persons at Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala on Saturday evening, the EO along with Additional EO Sri AV Dharma Reddy said that following call given by the State Government to initiate measures to check the prevalence of Corona Virus as Tirumala happens to be the most populated pilgrim centre with the highest congregation of pilgrims, we have contemplated some measures”, he added, repored by TTD News

Hyderabad: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has taken a measure step towards countering the COVID-19 scare. From March 17 onwards, devotees will have permission of lord Sri Venkateshwara’s darshan through time slot tokens without having to wait in compartments.

Addressing media persons at Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala on Saturday evening, the EO along with Additional EO Sri AV Dharma Reddy said that following call given by the State Government to initiate measures to check the prevalence of Corona Virus as Tirumala happens to be the most populated pilgrim centre with the highest congregation of pilgrims, we have contemplated some measures”, he added.

This is being done as a preventive measure to check the spread of coronavirus, said TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal. Devotees will not be made to sit in the compartments of Vaikuntham queue complex to avoid person to person contact.

“They will be allowed for darshan by limiting the numbers and as per the issued time slots. Devotees should carry any identification cards, including Aadhaar, Voter, Driving Licence etc, along with them to get the time slot tokens for darshan,” said Singhal at a press conference in Tirumala on Saturday.

Darshan will be permitted as per the time slots issued and those miss the scheduled time will not be allowed.

Further, the celestial wedding ceremony of Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam at Vontimitta, as a part of the annual Brahmotsavams of Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy temple, has been cancelled this year.

The TTD EO said as nearly one lakh devotees are expected to converge for the celestial Kalyanam on April 7 at Vontimitta, it was decided to cancel the mass fete keeping in view the devotees’ safety. “However, the Kalyanam will be observed in the temple as usual on the same day,” he said.

Certain Arjitha Sevas, including Visesha Puja, Sahasra Kalasabhishekam and Vasanthotsavam, will remain cancelled to avoid congregation of pilgrims for a longer duration. If any devotee is cancelling these Arjitha Seva tickets, they will be allotted with VIP break darshan by the Additional EO upon their request.

Thermal screening has been arranged at Alipiri, Srivari Mettu, VQC, KKC and Annaprasadam which see large congregation of pilgrims. All types of possible cleanliness measures like use of disinfectants, have been taken to counter the worrisome situation.

Seeking divine intervention to safeguard from the deadly virus, the TTD will be observing a three-day Maha Yagam, Sri Srinivasa Shantyotsava Sahita Dhanvantari Maha Yagam from March 19 to 21 at Paruveta Mandapam in Tirumala, said a press release.

The EO appealed to devotees via media, to co-operate with the amendments brought by TTD in view of the red alert sounded by Central and State governments over the spread of Corona Virus, keeping the health safety of pilgrims in to consideration. 

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