The allocation of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tokens was set to begin early Thursday morning, but crowds of devotees began gathering at the centers from Wednesday evening itself.
New Delhi: In a tragic incident ahead of the token distribution for Lord Venkateswara’s darshan in Tirumala, a stampede at the Tirupati temple claimed four lives and left 150 injured. The allocation of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tokens was set to begin early Thursday morning, but crowds of devotees began gathering at the centers from Wednesday evening itself.
According to the initial reports, a stampede-like situation arose at the abode of Lord Vishnu in Tirupati. Tragically, a woman devotee from Salem, Tamil Nadu, lost her life, while four others sustained injuries.
All the injured have been taken to the hospital.
Hundreds of devotees turned up from across the country for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam commencing from January 10. “Three women and a man died in the stampede,” the official confirmed to PTI. Meanwhile, videos of police administering CPR on a couple of woman devotees and injured persons being shifted in ambulances went viral.
In Tirupati, 90 counters have been set up across 8 centers. These counters are located at Indira Maidan, Ramachandra Pushkarini, Srinivasam Complex, Vishnu Nivasam Complex, Bhudevi Complex, Bhairagipatteda Ramanayudu High School, MR Palli Zilla Parishad High School, and Jeevakona Zilla Parishad High School. Additionally, SSD tokens will be issued to Tirumala residents at the Balaji Nagar Community Hall.
Dy CM Pawan Kalyan Expresses Condolences
I am deeply distressed to know that six people died in the stampede that took place at the centers set up for Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tickets in Tirupati. It is unfortunate that devotees who came for the darshan of the Lord met with a tragic death.
I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I suggest the Medical and Health Department to provide better medical services to the injured. It has been learned that some of the deceased and injured have come from other areas. I suggest the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam authorities to make appropriate arrangements immediately to provide appropriate information and assistance to their families.
Similarly, the TTD Governing Council should take the responsibility of visiting the families of the deceased and providing them with moral support.
In the wake of this incident, I appeal to the Jana Sena leaders and Jana Sainiks to provide assistance to the officials and police personnel in managing the queues at the ticket counters in Tirupati city.
