It has been announced that the Tirupati Lord Venkateswara temple will identify devotees with a facial recognition system starting on March 1, 2023. An official notification posted on the official website of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, a trust responsible for managing the temple, announced this new decision. The notification stated that the system was introduced to ensure a level of transparency in darshan and accommodation allocation.
Thousands of devotees visit the shrine every year. The new technology is designed to provide more effective services to them.
According to the TTD, facial recognition technology will prevent devotees from taking extra tokens at the 'Sarva Darshan Complex' and caution deposit refund counters. According to reports, Tirumala has about 7,000 accommodations, of which 1,000 are reserved, and the rest are available for regular visitors.
From March 1, TTD will introduce Facial Recognition Technology to Vaikuntam 2 and AMS systems as an experiment. To provide more effective services to a multitude of pilgrims, token-less darshan and accommodation allocation systems should be made more transparent, according to the website.
The online ticket booking facility for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam has commenced in full swing by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Vaikunta Ekadasi is just around the corner. It will take place between 2nd January and 11th January 2023 for 10 days.
Tickets for Special Darshan, which cost around INR 300, went on sale online on December 24 at 9 am and will be valid from January 1 to 11, 2023.
The tickets for New Year's Day on January 1, 2023, and Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam during January 2-11, 2023, would be available online at 9 a.m. on December 24.
Ans. A special Darshan ticket of Rs 300 can only be purchased through Tirupati Balaji's official web portal only. There will be no other tickets issued by third-party websites. Sarva Darshanam does not require a ticket. The timings for Special Darshanam and Sarva Darshanam are 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Ans. TTD authorities have developed an online ticket system called TTD Free Darshan Tickets Online Booking at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in due to the congested situation and the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Ans. Tirumala Tirupati VIP Break Darshan Ticket costs Rs. 500 per person. Darshan Timing: Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun: 6 am Daily. Due to the heavy crowd on Saturday and Sunday, high recommendation letters may be considered. In total, Darshan's time will be 2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours, including waiting.
Ans.Visitors can purchase a Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams ticket for INR 300 from the official website tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in every last week of each month. Devotees can also check the status of TTD online for Suprabhata Seva's availability after entering the right credentials.
As a result of the high volume of pilgrims visiting the Sri Venkateswara Temple daily, the TTD has implemented online digital services to help pilgrims purchase tickets.
As per the data of TTD, it was opined that on December 23, 2022, alone 62,055 pilgrims had darshan. Tirumala temple began its annual Adhyayanotsavam on December 23, 2022.
It lasts 25 days, beginning 11 days before Vaikuntha Ekadasi and ending on January 15.
In an announcement, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam stated that all 4000 hymns written by 12 Alwars, known as Nalayira Divyprabandha Pasurams, will be chanted daily.
The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji temple is located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
From the town, one can reach Tirumala - twenty kilometers away- which houses the world-famous lord Venkateshwara Temple. Also known as the temple of Tirupati Balaji, it is positioned on Venkata Hill, one of the seven hills of Tirumala Hills, surrounded by Eastern Ghats. The seven peaks are believed to be seven hoods of Adishesha / Sheshnag, the Serpent God cushioning Lord Vishnu. It is one of the most worshipped temples in India for both devout followers of Lord Vishnu and makes this city-of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh the center for religious and cultural heritage.
The religious town dedicated to Lord Vishnu is dotted with other temples that are highly regarded by the pilgrims who come to see him as Lord Venkateshwara. Anything associated with Lord Vishnu will become worshipped, so the town is one of the most visited religious places in the world. The temple is 2,799 ft high, which only adds to the spiritual appeal of this second richest temple in the world after Padamanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
The history of this city has been associated with Lord Venkateshwara Temple almost every time, but its origin is obscured by the layers of time. Constant devotion by the rulers of Southern dynasties in different centuries ensured that this revered destination stayed intact, so today's pilgrims can witness it.
The temple has seen contributions from the Pallavas, Pandayas, Cholas, and kings of the Vijaynagar Empire. The biggest addition was made by Krishnadevaraya, who also had gold statues of himself and his wives installed in the temple. Wealth continued to accumulate as Hindu rulers like Ragoji Bhosle were devoted to the same Lord Venkateswara. Their devotion helped the treasure grow as pilgrims gave away a part of their riches in devotion to Lord Venkateswara.
Dhruva Beram, Kautuka Beram, Sanapana Beram, Utsava Beram, and Bali Beram are different deities who are worshipped at the temple. Each deity has its own way of being worshipped and is intriguing to tourists and pilgrims alike. That's why this temple is the most visited worship site in the world. It also has a lot of riches and treasures, but they're second to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
One of the largest and most visited religious sites in the world, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is a masterpiece in architectural workmanship. With gold-plated vimanas, Pandikavals, entrance gates, and more, the site boasts stunning architecture. Numerous festivals are celebrated here that attract more pilgrims to the temple. It is believed that Lord Venkateshwara will stay at this site until the end of Kaliyuga, as per a legend. Hence everyone can enjoy the company of the Lord until the end of eternity by just availing special seva ticket or free darshan ticket.
Silathoranam- Some theorists think that Silathoranam may have been modeled on Adishesha, the serpent who supports the nether world. This natural rock formation is of great importance to anyone who studies its history and has a deep interest in ancient cultures.
Kapila Theertham- Among all the temples in Tirupati, this one honors Lord Shiva. It is located at the base of Tirumala, near a tank that pilgrims visit to take a holy dip before embarking on the journey to visit Lord Venkateshwara temple at Tirumala's foothills.
Govindaraja Swamy Temple: Located next to the Tirupati Railway Station, this temple is prominently identifiable with its prominent Gopuram roof. Completely surrounding the 3 centers of the temple, temples housing deities and Swamy Govindaraja exist. The festivities of June attract pilgrims from all over India.
Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple- Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and his wife Sita, is highly revered at this temple. Their return from Sri Lanka was believed to mark the establishment of their divine status. In fact, they were here for just a few days after their return, so the temple went through changes in significance after their departure.
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple-The Padmanabhaswamy temple is believed to mark an important event in Hindu mythology: the marriage of Lord Venkateshwara and Padamavathi Devi. Narayanavanam, the location of the temple, is visited by pilgrims who strongly believe in this legend, including those who make it their daily work.
Tirupati Balaji Temple opens as early as 3 AM in the morning. The temple closes at 1:30 AM the next day although General Darshan stops after 1 AM.
Here are the different kind of Darshans and their respective timings:
General Darshan (Sarva Darshanam) – This Darshan is open to the general public. The timings are different each day of the week.
Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday – The Darshan starts from 7:30 AM – 7 PM in the evening. It resumes from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
Wednesday and Friday – The Darshan starts from 9 AM till 7 PM in the evening and again from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
Thursday – The Darshan starts early from 8 AM till 7 PM and then again from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
VIP Darshan (Sheeghra Darshan): It is for immediate Darshan. The ticket cost is Rs. 300 per person. This Darshan starts from 9 AM daily till 3 PM.
Tirumala Darshan by Walk (Divya Darshan): This Darshan facility is only for those pilgrims who walk up the hill to reach the temple. Alipiri Mettu and Srivari Mettu are the two routes.
Special Darshan for Senior Citizens: Pilgrims can have darshan in two-time slots of 10 AM and 3 PM daily. However, they must show proof of their age to the authorities.
Special Darshan for Physically Challenged: Pilgrims can have darshan in two-time slots of 10 AM and 3 PM daily. However, they must show proof of their disability to the authorities.
Infant Darshan: TTD has facilitated special darshan for parents carrying infants under one year of age.
Newly Married Couple Darshan: There is also a special darshan for newly married couples through the Supadham entrance.
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