Tirupati Temple Allocates 90% of Vaikuntha Darshan Time for Common Devotees Through e-Dip System

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced that 90 percent of the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan time has been allocated for common devotees through the electronic lucky dip (e-Dip) system. This amounts to 164 hours out of the total 182 hours available for this significant religious event.

TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal shared this information during the 'Dial Your EO' programme at Annamayya Bhavan on Friday. He emphasized that the e-dip system was implemented to ensure equitable access for all devotees and to prevent the difficulties experienced in previous years.

The Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam represents one of Tirumala's most important annual celebrations, drawing millions of faithful seeking the rare chance to pass through the Vaikunta Dwaram, which is traditionally believed to open only during this special period.

"Keeping in view the larger interests of Srivari devotees spread across the country, TTD has allotted Vaikuntha Ekadasi Dwara Darshan tokens in e-Dip, providing equal opportunity to all," stated the Executive Officer. He expressed gratitude to devotees who appreciated the transparency of the new system, even those who were not selected in the lottery process.

When addressing requests from callers in Bhimavaram, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Venkatagiri to increase the quota for physically challenged and elderly devotees, the EO explained that the administration must "do justice to every category of its devotees," suggesting that expanding the quota for one particular group was not feasible.

In recognition of local sentiment, Singhal confirmed that the final three days of the Dwara Darshanam, January 6, 7, and 8, have been specifically reserved for 15,000 residents of Tirumala and Tirupati. He noted that all ten days of the event are considered equally auspicious.

During the interactive session, a devotee named Preethi from Chennai proposed offering Millets Annaprasadam instead of rice on Vaikuntha Ekadasi. The Executive Officer responded that they would examine the feasibility of implementing this suggestion.

Following a recommendation from a caller in Vizag, the EO mentioned that staff and sevaks would address pilgrims and each other exclusively as "Govinda."

Additional suggestions included monitoring loud "filmy songs" played in private vehicles on the Ghat Road, serving Annaprasadam earlier to devotees waiting in compartments to reduce food waste, enhancing queue line management, and addressing behavioral issues among Sevaks.

The TTD has projected a total attendance of 7.7 lakh devotees during the ten-day Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam period, which encompasses Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Dwadasi, and New Year's Day (January 1). Mr. Singhal emphasized that the 164-hour allocation for common devotees clearly demonstrates the board's priority for general pilgrims.