Tirupati Balaji Temple, located in the Seshachalam Hills, is one of the most prominent religious places for Hindus. Every day, on an average of 1 Lakh, pilgrims would visit this shrine to get a glimpse of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the presiding deity of Tirumala. Due to the increase in the number of devotees visiting per day, regularly, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the board which maintains the temple and proceedings of the temple and also provides all the required facilities to the pilgrims visiting the shrine, has been devising various methods of providing the fastest darshan to all the pilgrims.
Among all of the types, the prominent one and the most commonly sought after darshan ticket is called the VIP Break Darshan, which is allowed in the early mornings. This line is supposed to take less time for Darshan, and only the 'VIPs' are entitled. The queue line goes all the way until the Kulasekara Padi, or the threshold of the Sanctum Sanctorum of Lord Sri Venkateswara of Tirumala.
Before, if a common man wanted to get the VIP Pass for joining this queue in the early mornings, it was a very hectic and long procedure, following which wasn't even confirming your participation in the queue. This gave rise to a lot of brokers/agents/ dalals who started selling this ₹ 500 ticket, at a rate as high as ₹5000 and odd, to eliminate all these middlemen, and the TTD has come up with a new scheme under the SRIVANI Trust (Sri Venkateswara Aalayala Nirmanam Trust).
Background for the new Scheme
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board had begun a new trust called SRIVANI Trust (Sri Venkateswara Aalayala Nirmana Trust) for the construction of various temples in several cities, towns, and villages for the promotion of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). Since it was a new trust, it required some force from the devotees' side to achieve its mission. Hence, it started accepting donations for the same. To grant these devotees some privilege for having helped TTD in its noble mission, it has devised this new scheme for VIP Break Darshan. Also, to eliminate the humongous number of middlemen between the VIP Darshan and the pilgrim, this action has been taken.
What is the new Scheme?
According to the new scheme, a person who donates a sum of INR 10,000 or more favoring the SRIVANI Trust will be entitled to availing a VIP Break Darshan Ticket. He will be given a recommendation stating the same, on submitting of which, he can pay INR 500 and avail the darshan the next day. TTD has limited the number of people per family availing tickets under this scheme to 9. Essentially, one has to pay INR 10,500 per person, and not more than 9 persons from the same family will be allowed for the darshan.
How can I avail myself of the Break Darshan via this scheme?
If you wish to donate the aforementioned sum towards the noble cause by TTD and avail of the Break Darshan Ticket, you can do so by visiting the JEO Camp Office in Gokulam, Tirumala, wherein is a separate counter for this and can avail the darshan. For donations greater than a lakh rupees, several other previously devised schemed privileges that the devotee's family can obtain.
The donation portal is also available online, on TTD's Official Website, www.tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in, for advance reservations.
Under this scheme, the pilgrims shall also be entitled to a room in Matrusri Vakuladevi Guest House, opposite the temple complex, for a night. However, this is not a free privilege but has to be booked by paying the room charges and a security deposit (refundable).
Many pilgrims have had the darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy in the VIP Break Darshan under the latest scheme. It is a successful scheme as it focuses on eliminating middlemen and provides direct access to the devotee who wishes and is able to donate for the noble cause.
No comments:
Post a Comment