No Offline Quota of SriVani Darshan Tickets at Tirumala From January 9
File Photo via The Hindu
In a significant step aimed at improving pilgrim convenience and bringing greater transparency to the darshan system, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced that offline SriVani darshan tickets at Tirumala will be discontinued from January 9. The decision marks a major shift in the administration of one of the most sought-after darshan categories at the hill shrine.
Under the new arrangement, SriVani darshan tickets that were earlier issued through offline counters at Tirumala will be migrated entirely to an online current booking system on a pilot basis. The move is intended to reduce congestion, eliminate long queues, and streamline the overall darshan management process for devotees visiting Lord Venkateswara.
Key Features of the New System
As per the revised mechanism announced by TTD, 800 SriVani darshan tickets, which were earlier issued daily through offline counters at Tirumala, will now be released online every day. These tickets will be made available through the current booking system, starting at 9 am and remaining open until 2 pm, or until the quota is exhausted.
The allocation will follow a first-come, first-served principle. Devotees who successfully book tickets will be required to report for darshan on the same day at 4 pm, ensuring smoother crowd movement and time-bound access to the temple.
To prevent misuse and ensure transparency, TTD has made Aadhaar authentication and mobile number verification mandatory during the booking process. Additionally, ticket allocation will be limited to one family per booking, comprising up to four members (1+3).
TTD officials stated that the online shift would eliminate the prolonged waiting hours and overnight queues that devotees often faced at offline counters in Tirumala.
Impact Analysis
The decision is expected to have a significant positive impact on pilgrims, especially senior citizens, women, and families who previously struggled with long queues and uncertainty at offline counters. By moving the bulk of SriVani darshan tickets online, TTD aims to ensure fair access, reduce crowding in sensitive areas, and improve overall safety and comfort.
Administratively, the move aligns with TTD’s broader push towards digital governance and technology-driven pilgrim services. Online ticketing allows better monitoring, data-driven planning, and quicker grievance redressal, while also reducing opportunities for middlemen and unauthorised practices.
However, some devotees, particularly those unfamiliar with digital platforms, may initially face challenges. TTD officials have indicated that the pilot phase will help identify such gaps and allow refinements before the system is made permanent.
What Remains Unchanged
While offline booking at Tirumala will stop, the offline current booking of 200 SriVani darshan tickets per day at Tirupati airport will continue. This provision is expected to benefit pilgrims arriving by air who may not have had the opportunity to book tickets in advance.
In addition, the existing online advance booking quota of 500 SriVani darshan tickets per day will remain unchanged. TTD has clarified that a comprehensive review of the advance booking system will be conducted after three months, while the new current booking model at Tirumala will be reviewed after the initial one-month pilot period.
Future Outlook
The success of the pilot phase will play a key role in determining whether the online-only model for SriVani darshan tickets becomes permanent. TTD officials said feedback from devotees, crowd flow data, and operational efficiency will be assessed before taking a final call.
If successful, the model could pave the way for further digital reforms in darshan and seva ticketing, reinforcing TTD’s objective of balancing tradition with modern administrative practices.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
TTD’s decision to discontinue offline SriVani darshan tickets at Tirumala and move to an online current booking system reflects a growing emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and pilgrim comfort. While the transition may require some adjustment, especially for digitally less-savvy devotees, the move has the potential to significantly reduce chaos and waiting times. The pilot phase will be crucial in ensuring that accessibility and inclusivity remain central to the new system.
