Devotees express frustration over delays at Tirumala darshan Anamika Gottipati, April 1, 2025April 1, 2025 As the summer heat intensifies, pilgrims visiting the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala are increasingly frustrated by significant delays in the Rs 300 Special Entry Darshan, with waiting times extending beyond 6 to 8 hours. Designed to provide quicker access to the temple, the Rs 300 Seegra Darshan has not lived up to expectations this week, as overcrowded queues stretch for miles under the scorching sun. With temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F), many devotees—some of whom traveled great distances—have found themselves stranded in long lines, battling the intense heat. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the temple’s governing body, has struggled to manage the surge of over 75,000 pilgrims per day, as families flock to the hill shrine during the summer vacation period. While the Rs 300 ticket was meant to provide faster access than the free Sarva Darshan (which now takes up to 24 hours), it has instead become a source of frustration for many. 📖 Must Read: Pawan Kalyan’s wife Anna Lezhneva donates 17 Lakh to TTD Crowd management issues Devotees have voiced concerns about inadequate facilities in the queue complexes, including insufficient shade, limited water supply, and overcrowded waiting areas. “We paid Rs 300 for a quicker darshan, but we’ve been waiting for over seven hours in the heat. There’s no relief,” said one pilgrim. Similar complaints have flooded social media, with many expressing their dissatisfaction over the lack of basic amenities. TTD officials acknowledged the overcrowding but attributed it to the peak summer rush. The Special Entry Darshan, which typically accommodates around 2,500 pilgrims per slot, has struggled to maintain efficiency as crowd numbers continue to increase. In response to the growing discontent, local activists and frequent visitors have called for better planning, including expanding covered waiting areas, adding more darshan slots, and providing real-time crowd updates. Until these changes are made, the promise of a swift darshan remains unfulfilled for many Rs 300 ticket holders.