In a major relief for pilgrims, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced a pilot initiative that will allow same-day darshan for devotees purchasing ‘Srivani’ tickets. This new system, scheduled to roll out from August 1 to August 15, seeks to significantly reduce waiting periods that previously stretched up to three days for many pilgrims.
TTD’s Additional Executive Officer, Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, made the announcement on Wednesday, emphasizing that the new approach aims to streamline the process for ‘Srivani’ ticket holders, improve pilgrim convenience, and manage crowd flow more effectively at Tirumala.
Details of the Pilot Scheme
The pilot initiative will be first implemented for devotees availing tickets under the offline quota, which includes counters located in Tirumala and at the Tirupati airport. Under the current system, the TTD issues approximately 800 tickets through its booking counters in Tirumala and an additional 200 tickets at the Tirupati airport.
Under the revised process:
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At Tirumala, ‘Srivani’ tickets will be available from 10:00 a.m. onwards at the Gokulam Guest House on a first-come, first-served basis.
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At the Tirupati airport, tickets can be secured from 7:00 a.m. on the same basis.
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Devotees holding these tickets must report at the Vaikuntham Queue Complex-I by 4:30 p.m., and darshan will be granted the same evening.
This experimental model is expected to alleviate pressure on pilgrims who previously had to wait several days between ticket booking and their allotted darshan slot. The TTD believes that this same-day darshan system will provide much-needed flexibility and convenience to those planning short trips or facing time constraints.
Tirumala Online Bookings Remain Unchanged for Now
For pilgrims who have already booked their ‘Srivani’ tickets via the online advance reservation system, the current darshan time of 10:00 a.m. will continue to remain in effect until October 31. These bookings, made ahead of the announcement, will not be shifted to the evening slot.
However, from November 1 onwards, there will be a uniform darshan time of 4:30 p.m. for both offline and online ‘Srivani’ ticket-holders, with entry through the Vaikuntham Queue Complex-I. This move is designed to further streamline operations and reduce confusion over multiple reporting times.
A Move to Improve Pilgrim Experience
TTD officials clarified that the pilot scheme is being introduced on a trial basis. Based on feedback, logistical assessments, and crowd management success during the initial two-week rollout in August, further decisions will be taken on whether to expand or adjust the system.
The initiative forms part of TTD’s broader efforts to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience and reduce long waiting periods that have been a long-standing concern for devotees. By offering same-day darshan, especially for those using the premium ‘Srivani’ ticket system—which contributes to temple development funds—the TTD hopes to balance revenue, religious access, and crowd control more efficiently.
As lakhs of devotees continue to visit the sacred hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara each month, the TTD’s evolving darshan protocols reflect a growing emphasis on better infrastructure, digitalization, and real-time adaptability to meet the needs of modern-day pilgrims.
