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How to improve services to pilgrims who visit Tirumala

Article · July 2015

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 How to improve services to Pilgrims who visit Tirumala
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIJAYA KRUSHNA VARMA
Part - 1
Lord Balaji very graciously has bestowed upon me a wonderful opportunity to participate in the Srivari
seva program that began on 7-7-2015 and ended on 14-7-2015. I have a few suggestions for TTD
administration to make on the basis of my seva work and the different roles I played at different places
both at Tirupati and Tirumala. All my suggestions are based on my personal experience during my seva
work. There are five broad areas that I would like to touch upon and make some useful and constructive
suggestions for each one of them. They are as follows:
1) The problems at the luggage collection centre.
2) The problems in serving meals at the Vengamamba complex.
3) The difficulties faced by pilgrims at the queue complex.
4) The need for a well-planned and full utilization of the services of the seva - volunteers
5) Some general suggestions.
In the following note I will elaborate on these problems one by one. They are not, however, in
chronological order of my own experiences there. They are all based on the wonderful time I had during
the 8 day Srivari seva program. My only motive in presenting these suggestions to TTD administration
is to help further improve the services being provided by TTD to the pilgrims who visit Tirumala in
multitudes every day.

The problems faced by pilgrims at the luggage collection centre

I have visited Tirumala so many times in the past. I usually reach Tirumala by trekking the seven hills
from Alipiri after depositing my luggage bags at Alipiri. Naturally, I would expect that my luggage will
be handled smoothly and carefully while loading, transporting and unloading. However, when we were
given seva-work at the luggage receiving centre at Tirumala on 10-7-2015, I was aghast at seeing the
manner in which the luggage bags were thrown away from parcel lorry onto the ground at the entrance
of the building as if they were hardware material. From the entrance of the building the luggage bags
were once again thrown away into the entire aisle length of racks in the building.
Our job was to put these bags in the shelves of respective racks according to the marked sub-numbers
on the luggage bags. There were 8 twin racks and each rack had many shelves. 1,9,10 sub-numbered
luggage bags were put on the floor.
Because we were short in number, there was no sufficient time for us to segregate all the bags
belonging to one family in one shelf of the rack. For example, we were supposed to put all 7 bags of a
family on one shelf of the 7th rack so that this family could collect all their bags in one shelf of the 7th
rack. So the pilgrims were to search all the selves of the 7th rack to collect their 7 bags. To some pilgrims
it is quite frustrating finding their luggage.
In some cases, all the bags of a family were not coming in one delivery. Some bags were coming in one
parcel lorry and the remaining in the next. A family from Maharashtra did not get all their 9 bags in one
go. Their 8 bags came on one lorry and they had to wait for two more hours to collect the remaining
one luggage bag, which finally came in the third consignment.
Because of this unloading process, the pilgrims were forced to wait for longer period of time [while it
is not possible to allow them during the unloading process] just to take their luggage bags.
I have few suggestions for improving the luggage handling process in order to fulfill every pilgrim’s wish
that his/her luggage be handled smoothly and carefully.
 1. Charge Rs 10 for each luggage bag/suitcase from pilgrims who want smooth and safe handling of
their luggage for transporting from Alipiri to Tirumala.
2. Entrust this transportation job to contractors selected by e-auction process in the reverse bidding
process from Rs 10 for each luggage bag. The contractors who quote the lowest price should be
awarded the contract. The final bidding price may be around Rs six considering the total distance of 50
KMs for each trip [to and fro] and with at least 8 trips per day. The contractor should deposit Rs 1 Lakh
for accepting this contract.
3. The scanning of luggage at Alipiri should remain with TTD. The contractor should use LCV to transport
200 luggage bags maximum per trip. They should employ workers to load and unload these bags by
hand only. The primary stipulation for awarding the contract is to ensure smooth and careful handling
of luggage bags while loading, transporting, unloading and depositing in the racks. There should be
CCTV cameras at luggage depositing and loading centre [Alipiri], and luggage unloading centre at
Tirumala to ensure smooth and careful handling of each luggage bag.
4. All the luggage bags belonging to one family should be transported in the same consignment [in the
same LCV]. At the Tirumala luggage collection centre they should put luggage bags belonging to one
family on one shelf only.
5. For the loss/damage of any luggage, the contractor should pay Rs 20,000 per one luggage bag to the
owner. If there is a loss of three bags per month, the contract should be terminated with the forfeiture
of Rs 1 lakh security deposit.
6. More volunteers, who come for Srivari seva, should be given the seva works at luggage collection
centre and at luggage receiving centre for smooth and careful handling of luggage bags. Rough handling
of luggage bags should be avoided.

On 7-7-2015 from 9pm to 4pm we were asked to do seva work in Vengamamba free meals complex.

Suggestions to reduce waiting time of pilgrims who take meals at

Vengamamba complex.
There are 4 huge dining halls at Vengamamba free meals complex. Three of the halls are for table meals
serving and one is for the buffet meals serving. What I observed at these table meals serving halls are
1] more wastage of food at table-served halls when compared to buffet meals service hall, 2] in table-
served halls, the pilgrims will have to wait for more time between each serving of food items. 3] More
people could be able to take meals per hour in buffet served hall when compared to tables served hall.
My suggestions
1] Convert 3 halls into buffet service with more food counters as designed in the diagram given below.
2] Reserve one hall with dining tables for serving meals for senior citizens and physically challenged.
3] Entrust more seva volunteers for seva work at Vengamamba complex and all other free meals
centers like Srinivasan, Mahakam, TTD canteen, etc. at Tirupati and Tirumala.

Advantages with buffet meals service in dining halls

1] Food items can be served multiple times in small quantities so that there will be less wastage of food.
Pilgrims can have their chosen food items instantly according to their taste without waiting for them
to be served as in table serving halls.
 2] Some people eat food slowly, while some others eat food in quickly. A lot of time is being wasted
between two batches of diners in halls where food is served on tables due to cleaning of tables and
serving food for the next batch.
3] More number of pilgrims can be served per hour. Long queues can be avoided.
If the hall is designed in a way that kitchen, food serving tables, dining area and washrooms are
separated from each other and have ample space for each purpose.

A model dining hall design for free meals scheme

Kitchen kitchen kitchen
DINING SPACE

DINING
SPACE

exit entrance
Hand wash plate wash hand wash Plate wash hand wash

On 14-7-2015 we were given the darshan allowing us at the Supadham entry point into the queue
complex. I want the TTD’s utmost attention to mitigate pilgrims’ agony during the passage period in
the queue complex.

Problem in the queue complex

Here, there were not sufficient numbers of seva volunteers or the TTD staff to manage the crowd in
the queue lines. As we joined the other pilgrims [Sarvadarshan, Divya Darshan, and Special Entry
Darshan] there was heavy pushing and jostling among pilgrims. After having waited for long hours in
the compartments, the pilgrims, with accumulated restlessness and anxiety in their minds, are
thronging at the gate when it is opened to queue line. They are joining the running queue line with the
maximum force they can exert. The agony suffered by senior citizens and children is insurmountable.
Every pilgrim, who comes to Tirumala, wants the Lord’s darshan in a peaceful and pure state of mind.
What is happening in the queue line is quite the opposite. Most of the time is being spent on shouting,
chiding, and arguing with one another. Only young and strong pilgrims can withstand this heavy
pushing, shoving, and manhandling in the queue lines. My wife almost got fainted in this melee. This
is the same feeling experienced by many pilgrims. Nothing untoward has happened so far due to God’s
grace. I think the TTD administration has been failing miserably in managing and controlling the crowds
in the queue lines. This problem can be solved if the TTD administration takes corrective measures
immediately. In this regard I want to give you some suggestions as follows.

Study these three images.

1. From the above images it is the first part of the queue line that adjoins the waiting halls where the
unnecessary action of heavy jostling, shoving and pushing is taking place.
2. The second part of the queue line starting from the foot over bridge and running along the temple
wall, is having easy and smooth movement of pilgrims.
3. Similarly, we also observe free and easy movement of pilgrims who are coming out of the temple
complex in the third part of the queue line which adjoins the temple wall. The mini crowding of pilgrims
near Varada Raja Swamy temple inside the temple complex due to alternate release of incoming and
outgoing pilgrims can be ignored for time being and to be addressed later. I wish the TTD administration
took immediate steps to avoid pushing and shoving in the first part of the queue complex as shown in
the first image.
Although the same number of pilgrims are moving the entire length of the queue complex, the pushing
and shoving is happening only in the first part of the queue line. So this can be avoided if the TTD
administration takes remedial steps. We have to understand human psychology to maintain orderly
movement of pilgrims in the entire length of the queue complex to the final Divya Darshan. When
people are kept waiting for long hours the restlessness and anxiety slowly creep into their minds and
fill them to the saturation point. They eagerly wait for their turn to join the queue line to have Divya
Darshan at the earliest. When the gates are open suddenly this exasperation will overcome their
wisdom, common sense and reasoning, and get them into a state of sudden urgency to join the queue
line with full force. I suggest these following measures to maintain free and easy movement of pilgrims
in the queue complex.
1. Employ sufficient numbers of seva volunteers in the waiting halls and along the queue complex that
runs along the waiting rooms.
2. Employ at least six volunteer staff in each waiting hall.
2. Give announcement through PA system in the waiting halls before 20 minutes of opening the waiting
hall gates to the queue line.
3. The announcement should be in major languages Telugu, Tamil, English, Kannada and Hindi with
conciliatory and soothing words probably like this------.
[Thank you for waiting for long time with all your patience and for cooperating with us. Now your turn
will come within 30 minutes to join the queue line to have Divya Darshan. Once you join the queue line
you will have Divya Darshan within half an hour. So we request you not to push and jostle with one
another. Please take care of elderly people and children. Please complete your pilgrimage in peaceful,
serene and calm atmosphere. Concentrate your mind only on Lord Venkatesha and nothing else. Recite
the mantra “Ome Venkateshaya Nama:” or Ome Namo Narayanaya” while you are moving in the queue
line]
I think this type of frequent announcements will make pilgrims understand and help them have holy
Divya Darshan in serene ambiance.
Repeat this sermon again and again in waiting halls and in the queue lines.
4. At one point in the queue complex before the foot over bridge there is a narrow door which is
impeding the free movement of pilgrims. Up to that the pilgrims are moving in six lanes. Here the
pilgrims are put to hardship and facing a harrowing time while passing through this narrow door. I
request the TTD administration to widen this door to facilitate free and easy movement of pilgrims.

Depositing cell phones at counters

On 9-7-2013, I was given the seva work at cell phone deposit counter at Tiruchanoor Sri Padmavathi
Ammavaru Temple. My service there is to stack cell phones along with receipts with rubber bands and
help the staff there. There is lot of time being wasted by pilgrims for depositing and collecting their cell
phone at these counters.
I request the TTD administration to consider my suggestions to get away with cell phone depositing
before going for Darshan. Allow the pilgrims with cell phones for darshan with the following conditions.
1. They switched off their cell phones at all times while they were inside the temple complex.
2 They should not hold cell phones in their hands 3. They should not take photographs or video
recordings inside the temple complex. If pilgrims violate any one of these conditions/stipulations their
cameras should be immediately confiscated. These cell phones can be E-auctioned every month and
the proceeds are to be deposited in Temple account. In due course of time the pilgrims will get
accustomed to this new practice at all temples, and it is no longer necessary to have cell phone deposit
counters.

Proper deployment of seva volunteers

On 7-7-2015 from 1pm to 8pm we were asked to do seva work at Alipiri where Swamy Lakshminarayana
temple and Srivari Padalamandapam temple are situated on both sides of footsteps path at Alipiri. Here
our service is to guide the walking pilgrims to visit these temples. Along with our 10 member team,
there were also 2 other teams who were also given the same work. There were 40 volunteers for the
same seva, which needed just 6 sevaks to do the service. There is more number of volunteers than
required at some places, and there is less number of volunteers at some places where their
requirement is utmost necessary. This gave me the impression that there was no proper planning and
coordination for utilizing the services of thousands of seva volunteers coming from different parts of
the country. The number of volunteers who opt for seva work at Tirumala is growing every year. If
there is a proper system of collecting the profiles of volunteers, who come for Srivari seva, according
to their age, education qualification, professional work and mother tongue and storing this data in the
central server at seva sadan office, they can be entrusted specific seva works at different places giving
much improved services to pilgrims.
Seva volunteers
There is a huge banner in seva sadan office advising seva volunteers what to do and what not to do.
Seva volunteers are not supposed to go to Darshan during their seva work. But I observed that majority
of seva workers are going to Darshan many times during their seva work.
If the TTD gives some basic information about places, locations and available facilities and services both
in Tirumala and Tirupati to seva volunteers through e-mails before they come to seva work, it is helpful
for seva workers to give information to pilgrims when they approach them for help. So TTD should
make it compulsory for seva volunteers to give information regarding their education, language, work
experience and e-mail address etc, so that TTD can better utilize their services at appropriate places to
assist pilgrims who come from all parts of the country.

Consider giving one hour training class to seva volunteers on the first day of their reporting and
registration at seva sadan office at Tirupati before they are allocated various services at Tirupati and
Tirumala.

The food served at Vengamamba complex, Srinivasam, TTD canteen is good. But the food served at
Madhavam, Vishnu Nivasam and Tiruchanoor is not up to the mark.

I finally request the TTD administration to make Tirumala the holiest of holiest places in the world by
removing corruption if it exists in any form and at any place. For crores of pilgrims who visit Tirumala,
Balaji is their God. But for TTD employees their foremost God is pilgrim. Serving pilgrims with love and
affection is tantamount to worshipping God.

Disclaimer – All the details, information and suggestions furnished above are based on my
understanding of things I have seen and happened around me during my seva works at various
places at Tirumala and Tirupati and at different times. It is up to the TTD administration to use its
discretion in accepting, following or rejecting my suggestions.

The incidents I reported above are reflections of what I saw and experienced during my seva service
rendered between 7-7-2015 and ended on 14-7-2015.

The information and services mentioned in this topic may have changed or improved since it was
written on 16-7-2015.

Part -2
This part -2 will elaborate on various measures to be considered for making the visit to Tirumala a
memorable one in one’s lifetime. It could give a devotee the sublime contentment in spirituality and
devotion to god.
Recommendations for AP state government and TTD board for improving services to pilgrims with
respect to darshan time, accommodation, meals and transport.

Modern manuvadis in democracy

Modern manuvadis, who consist of celebrities, rulers, politicians, bureaucrats, industrialists, the super-
rich in post independent India, have conveniently replaced the caste based manuvadis in the pre
independent India. The feudal class in monarchy has metamorphosed into a new class that is popularly
and collectively known as VIP’s in the present so called modern democracy. Rules have changed to
give more powers, more securities, and more indemnity to this newly born aristocracy to protect them
from all misdeeds they wishfully indulge in. But the game is the same. The unbridled ride of a few over
the rest. The time has come to put an end to this age old practice starting from temples.

Reduction in darshan time

First step – Pilgrims who visit Tirumala will have to anxiously wait for their turn to get darshan after
spending a lot of time in the queue lines and waiting halls for minimum of 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
A lot of time is being wasted in the waiting halls. If proper arrangements are made, devotees could get
darshan within one hour. Then pilgrims will have more time to visit other important places in Tirumala.
Some of those important places to visit in Tirumala are papavinasanam, Akasa Ganga waterfalls, Sila
thoranam, Sikhara Darshanam, Gogarbham gardens, Sri Bedi Anjaneya swamy temple etc. Presently
less than 50% of pilgrims are visiting these places due to shortage of time. Queue lines that consume
pilgrims’ valuable time and test their patience are everywhere in Tirumala - at accommodation centres
for booking rooms, prasadam distribution counters, free meals centre, laddu selling centres, tonsure
halls etc.

One queue, one free ticket, one darshan for all

“Quick darshan for all in one queue line” is my first recommendation for achieving the right to equality
before god. All devotees should have equal rights in temples irrespective of their caste, wealth, status,
positions in the power, and social standing in the society. Some pilgrims are getting quick and special
darshan based on their position in social hierarchy. Darshan time could be easily reduced if modern
manuvadism is eliminated in temples.
The discrimination that is explicitly visible while providing darshan to devotees should be ended by
enacting a new act “All are equal before God” in the parliament.
All special darshans, break darshans and special pujas that are provided to the elite class should be
stopped henceforth to give equal rights and importance to all pilgrims within the precincts of temples.
Half of the darshan time is being allocated by the temple administrations to this elite, privileged, and
special class who constitute about 10% of the total visitors to the temple. The remaining 50% darshan
time is being used by the 90% of the visitors resulting in the restless waiting for long periods in the
halls. When their turn come for darshan it is almost stampede situation with pushing and jostling in the
queue lines.
Under my suggested temple act, all visitors to the temple for darshan shall be treated with equal
respect and importance. No undue importance or protocol shall be provided to anyone based on his
social standing or the positions of power.
All devotees, whether he is a billionaire or a cobbler; a political representative or a common man; the
minister or a minion; the head of the government or a sanitary worker should go in the same queue
line. No matter how much money or gold a person donates to the temple should not give him special
rights to have darshan ahead of others. Temples were built by our past rulers for the posterity. All
followers of Hindu religion are inheritors and absolute owners of these magnificent temples with equal
birth rights. No one should have special right on them.
All paid seva tickets that are being given to limited number of devotees for exclusive darshan from
Suprabhata seva in the early hours to Ekanta seva in the evening should be henceforth discarded.
Devotees shall be allowed for darshan in the same queue line while seva pujas are being performed to
Lord Balaji inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. All special tickets, donor tickets and break
darshans and special darshans should be discontinued for allowing all devotees for uninterrupted free
darshan from morning 2.20 A.M. to evening 11.30 pm in one and only queue line.
This will prove in loud and clear tone that we are in a democratic country where there are no kings and
cohorts except subjects who are all equal and same, and enjoying equal rights at least in temples.
This will surely help pilgrims have a peaceful darshan in a serene atmosphere without jostling and
pushing within 2 hours of their joining the queue line.
By facilitating darshan time from morning 2.20 A.M. to evening 11.30 P.M., there could be no
accumulated and forced rush of pilgrims at any given point of time. There would be no longer the need
for the huge waiting halls constructed for the pilgrim who are being forced to wait for up to 36 hours
on some days. The pilgrims’ agony and frustration during the waiting period would come to an end.
Hereafter these waiting halls could be converted into accommodation halls for pilgrims to stay and take
rest during their visit to Tirumala. This will drastically reduce the shortage of rooms in Tirumala.

Reduction in darshan time

Second step – When temples were built in the ancient time the population was very low and besides
that there were no transport facilities. Pilgrimage from distance places was used to be arduous and
sturdy journey to accomplish. The number of daily pilgrims to temples except on festivals was said to
be low. So the temple were constructed with only one entrance door into the temple to reach the main
deity to facilitate darshan for a few visitors per day. Usually in all temples there is only one door for
incoming and outgoing devotees who come for worshipping.
In the modern age the transportation has expanded with roads, rail and aviation routes. Now with easy
transportation lakhs of pilgrims are coming daily from faraway places to famous temples on pilgrimage.
We have to make provisions in the temples for easy access to have a darshan in quick time.
With huge influx of pilgrims every day it is imperative to create highly secured and strongly built exit
doors, separately for the outgoing pilgrims, on the north east side of the prakara walls that protect the
main temple. What I mean is the Tirumala temple should have highly secured exit doors to the first and
second prakara walls for the outgoing visitors after fulfilling their darshan in the sanctum sanctorum.
The exit door on the north east side from Mahadwara of the first prakara, and the exit door to the
second prakara on the north direction between inner entrance door [Vendi Vakili] and Sri Yoga
Narasimha temple is suggested for easy movement of incoming and outgoing pilgrims. At present the
incoming and outgoing pilgrims are allowed alternately through the single door that existed in the
second prakara wall. Here at this second prakara door the queue line for incoming devotees is stopped
intermittently for the passage of outgoing visitors.
That means continuous queue lines from morning 2.30 A.M. to evening 11.30 P.M. through separate
entrance and exit doors will pave the way for smooth and easy darshan for all devotees in quick time
with a relaxed and holistic state of mind.

Reduction in darshan time

Third step – I suggest the temple administration consider the possibility of removing the enclosures
from three sides of Mukha Mandapam/Tirumamani Mandapam that is supported by sixteen carved
pillars.
When the rush of devotees is low
Devotees can be allowed directly from Vendi Vakili through this Mukha Mandapam and Bangaru Vakili
into the Snapana Mandapam that has four central pillars before the sanctum of Lord Venkateswara.
From here devotees can have darshan of Lord Venkateswara when no arjita sevas or other rituals are
performed here. On some occasions devotees can also be allowed up to Sayana Mandapam that is
directly in front of Sanctum when there are no ritual performances taking place here. From this Sayana
Mandapam devotees can have darshan from close proximity to get the ultimate spiritual bliss.
When the rush of devotees is moderate
Devotees can be allowed directly from Vendi Vakili straight into Mukha Mandapam in three rows up to
Bangaru Vakili and take left towards the south side of the temple. Height of the wooden path in the
Mandapam shall be raised to 2 feet at the start of the Mandapam and reduced downwards to the
Bangaru Vakili so that devotees can have full clear view of the deity for long time. After darshan
devotees will enter into the Vimana Pradakshina area which circumambulates Ananda Nilayam or
sanctum sanctorum. They come round the shrine in the Vimana Pradakshina area from south to west
and in north direction to make offerings in the hundi in Mukha Mandapam.
When the rush of the pilgrims is high
After passing Vendi Vakili devotees go to the north side of the Mukha Mandapam, turn left side and
walk parallel to the main deity towards south side in 6 or 8 lines while having darshan of Lord
Venkateswara. The farthest lane away from Bangaru Vakili should be at higher level than the first line
close to the Bangaru Vakili. The huge rush on some auspicious days and festivals can be cleared only
through this way of darshan. The temple staff should take care that short people go in the line near to
the Bangaru Vakili and taller devotees go in the farthest line from Bangaru Vakili. This is how darshan
is given at Lord Ayyappa swamy temple at Sabarimala to enable lakhs of devotees get darshan on a
single day.
Accommodation at Tirumala
Getting accommodation at Tirumala is a difficult job for many visitors who do not have
recommendation letters. It is perplexing to note that with copious annual income the temple
administration is unable to construct more rooms on demand for pilgrims. There is huge space for
constructing guest rooms on Tirumala hills. With huge funds in its possession, enough space on the hills
and willing donors to provide funds the temple administration should take immediate steps to
construct more and more six storey buildings for allocating rooms on demand to every pilgrim.

1. Redevelopment of cottages. Redevelopment of Anjanadri Nagar cottages, Garudadri Nagar

cottages, Seshadri Nagar cottages, Sankumitta cottages, Hill View cottages into six storey buildings will
help reduce demand for rooms in Tirumala. The designs for new buildings in place of cottages are to
be developed for catering to the needs of 3 lakh devotees per day in the future. Any family who visits
Tirumala should get a room on any day and at any time without depending on brokers. If each room is
allotted to a family of 5 members [average] then 60,000 rooms are required for providing
accommodation to all pilgrims. If some of the pilgrims stay for 2 days then the requirement would be
for 1 lakh rooms. If each tower is built for 200 rooms then 300 six storey towers have to be built either
with the temple funds or with the assistance of donors, charity organisations, and Hindu religious
institutions.
2. Each tower should have minimum six floors with elevators, steps, and escalators. The entire ground
floor should be earmarked to provide accommodation for pilgrims. Huge halls are to be built with
multiple wash rooms, lockers and cabinets for luggage storage. The halls should be divide into two
parts. One hall should be exclusively reserved for women pilgrims for their safety and privacy. The
second hall shall be reserved for men pilgrims. Blankets, floor mats, pillows and bed sheets shall be
provided for rent at cheap rates to pilgrims. These halls in every building could be useful for those who
do not get rooms on their arrival at Tirumala and for solo travelers who come to Tirumala on pilgrimage.

3. Private participation in creating accommodation facilities for pilgrims at Tirumala

I suggest the temple administration explore the option of allowing private participation to create
additional lodging facilities for ever increasing tourist influx to Tirumala.
A] The 5 KM road to Papavinasanam should be expanded to 6 lane road.
B] One hectare plots on either side of this six lane road shall be put on for public auction through online
for the construction of six storey guest house, parking area, gardens, and restaurants.
C] Each guest house should have minimum 200 rooms.
D] The entire ground floor in each guest house should be reserved for free accommodation to pilgrims
and handed over to temple administration.
E] The project should be completed by the successful bidder within 18 months of awarding the contract
F] The rentals for each room in the guest house shall be determined by the temple administration at
the time of auction process.
G] The initial rentals for rooms per day could be fixed as follows - ordinary rooms – Rs 1000, AC rooms
Rs 1500, luxury suites Rs 3000. One fifth of the rentals for rooms should be paid to the temple
administration that could be used for the maintenance of ground floor halls which are reserved to
provide free accommodation to pilgrims.
H] All rooms to the pilgrims should be made available to pilgrims through online booking only. Upon
vacation of every room by the pilgrims it should go to online for direct booking. No manual booking for
rooms should be allowed.
L] Preference shall be given to Hindu charitable organisations, Hindu trusts, and donors.
M] Non- vegetarian food should not be served in those guest houses.

4. Create a new township exclusively for pilgrims at Srivari Mettu

A separate township is needed to be constructed at Srivari Mettu exclusively for pilgrims to reduce
congestion at Tirumala. The trekking route from Srivari Mettu to Tirumala is only 2.1 kms long with
roughly 2400 steps. If huge township is built near Srivari Mettu with ultra-modern facilities to
accommodate 3 to 5 lakh pilgrims it could be a beginning for the future development of Tirumala into
world’s largest spiritual, religious and devotional centre.
A] A central bus station in this new township should be connected with 6 lane highway from Alipiri.
B] High level railway tracks should laid from Tirupati railway station to the new railway station in the
suggested township.
C] The new township should be construed with well-designed avenues, underground power lines,
underground drainage system and extra wide main roads. The new city should be built for the
construction of guest houses, parks, yoga centres, Vedic schools, Vedic universities, Yoga centres,
meditation centres, Vanaprastha ashrams, Ayurvedic centres, and training schools for archakas,
purohits, Hindu pracharaks, Vedic priests and other institutions related to Hindu religion.
D] If fully constructed, the new township would be large enough to accommodate 3 to 5 lakh pilgrims.
E] The temple administration should reconsider its rejected decision of constructing ropeways from
Srivari Mettu to Tirumala.
F] Four ropeways with a capacity 6000 passengers per hour from Srivari Mettu to Tirumala hills are to
be constructed for the transportation of 2 lakh people daily.
G] If ropeways are built it would be easier for both pilgrims and employees to reach Tirumala from
Srivari Mettu in just 20 minutes.
H] If darshan time is reduced as suggested earlier in this paper, then the pilgrims will have ample time
to visit many places in Tirumala apart from darshan of Lord Venkateswara.
J] Only electric buses, electric cars, electric scooters and other electric vehicles should be allowed in
this holy township.
L] The temple administration should construct quarters for all private and government employees who
work at Tirumala.
 M] All properties in this township should be owned by temple administration only. They shall be rented
maintained and managed by private parties for various purposes. That means every building in this
new city should be owned by the temple administration, but they are leased or rented to private parties
at nominal rates for providing services to pilgrims at cheaper prices.

The final synopsis – I prepared a blueprint for the development of Tirumala to make it the world’s
largest spiritual, religious and devotional centre. If my project is implemented fully, it could attract over
5 crore pilgrims and tourists annually from all over the world and could also possibly generate Rs 10,000
crore per annum. The increase revenues can be used for the renovation and protections of all temples
in India and provide secured remunerations for temple priests and archakas to perform pujas and other
Hindu religious ceremonies and more importantly to propagate Hindu philosophy to every corner of
the world.

Part -3 to be continued ………………………………..

Author – VIJAYA KRUSHNA VARMA

RAJA VENKATA NAGARAM
ANDHRA PRADESH

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