Heavy summer holiday rush has turned Tirumala into one of its busiest phases, with devotees waiting for more than 30 hours for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara by Thursday evening. The rush, which started increasing last week, peaked on Sunday and has continued without any relief. Under the scorching summer heat, pilgrims stood in serpentine queues stretching nearly 2 to 3 kilometres before entering the Vaikuntam Queue Complexes. Elderly devotees, women and parents carrying children faced severe hardship while waiting in the long lines extending beyond the Outer Ring Road.
Traffic congestion further added to the problems in Tirumala. Devotees complained about poor traffic regulation, roadside parking issues and confusing diversions. The stretch between Saptagiri Bus Stand and the newly opened Venkatadri Nilayam witnessed heavy traffic snarls as both pedestrians and vehicles moved simultaneously. Similar congestion was reported at Nandakam Circle, Rambhagicha Circle and the Lepakshi Bus Stand area.
The Vaikuntam Queue Complexes, Narayanagiri and other holding points remained packed with devotees. Though TTD arranged drinking water, Annaprasadam and other facilities through Srivari Sevaks, the prolonged waiting time continued to test pilgrims’ patience. Accommodation and civic infrastructure in the temple town also came under severe strain.
Meanwhile, TTD intensified relief measures for devotees waiting in long queues. Shade shelters were arranged from Batagangamma Circle to the Outer Ring Road, besides at VQC-2, the Museum premises and Narayanagiri Gardens. Temporary shelters, cool paint works and additional toilets were also set up at key queue stretches to provide some comfort to pilgrims amid the massive rush.
