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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams online darshan ticket counter

Mr. N.Srikanth joint executive officer of TTD said that online darshan ticket counters will be opened with in couple of months in Srirangam, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli.

Mr. Srikanth told reporters that there was encouraging response to the sale of such tickets. Out of about 7,500 online tickets priced at Rs. 50 for Sudarshan Darshan, over 200 tickets are sold in Erode alone. Similarly, over 1,500 are sold at other centres.

“At present in Tirumala, the TTD has buildings to accommodate over 6,000 pilgrims a day. Following heavy rush additional rooms to accommodate 1,000 more pilgrims will be constructed and the work will be completed before 2009,” Mr. Srikanth said.

On the conduct of Thiru Kalaya Utsavam in rural areas by the Devasthanams, he said: “If people wanted to conduct it, the TTD is ready to arrange the Utsavam.”

He also said investigation was in progress in the case of missing jewels. All security arrangements in and around the temple had been strengthened.

Sri Vari Seva Trust managing trustee R. Umapathy said the trust had decided to construct a Mandapam in Erode to conduct atavism for Lord Venkateswara and an online counter would also be opened in the Mandapam.

Mr. Umapathy said a minimum of 200 devotees from Erode were visiting Tirupati every day. He appealed to the Andhra Pradesh State Transport Corporation and also Andhra Pradesh tourism department to operate more buses from the trust office to Tirumala. He said already representations had been made with the Railway Ministry to operate a daily train service either from Coimbatore or from Erode to Tirupati. TTD liaison officer Haridev Prasad, Trust secretary R. Mohanraj and others were also present.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams - festivals


Festivals

It is believed that Lord Sri Venkateswara enjoys festivals (utsavams), and therefore, every moment in Tirumala is considered a festive occasion.

The most important festival is the Brahmotsavam.

Brahmotsavam

The Annual Brahmotsavams of Srivari Temple Tirumala will be conducted from29-09-2011 to 07-10-2011 . The following are the Brahmotsavam programme as per TTD Panchangam.

Daily Celebrations

Brahmotsavam

Description of Activities

Schedule

Festival Timings

Picture Tour

The Important Days of Brahmotsavams (2011)
29-09-2011ThursDayDwajarohanam
03-10-2011MonDayGarudotsavam
04-10-2011TuesDayGolden Chariot
06-10-2011ThursDayRadhotsavam
07-10-2011FriDayChakrasnanam and Dwaja Avarohanam

Note:

1.Advance Booking of Accommodation is cancelled during Annual Brahmotsavam period (29-09-2011 to 07-10-2011)

2.Regular quota of Sudarshanam is reduced to 50% during Annual Brahmotsavam Period.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams - Darshan at Sri Venkateswara Temple

Darshan at Sri Venkateswara Temple

As more than fifty thousand pilgrims visit the Sri Venkateswara Temple every day, TTD has organised efficient systems to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims.

Vaikuntam Queue Complex

Vaikuntam Queue Complex

The entrance for darshan is through the Vaikuntam Queue Complex. The complex is a series of inter-connected halls that leads to the main temple. An efficient queue system ensures that pilgrims move in an orderly fashion through the Queue Complex, towards the main temple.

The halls in the Queue Complex are clean, spacious and airy.TTD provides a wide range of facilities in the Queue Complex:

  • Food is provided for the waiting pilgrims free of cost.
  • Milk, Coffe & Tea provided for waiting pilgrims free of cost.
  • Medical aid
  • Sale of photographs, calendars and other TTD publications
  • Toilets
  • Closed Circuit Television, through which devotional programmes and music are relayed
  • Cloak rooms near the Vaikuntam Queue Complex entrance
  • Places where footwear can be deposited, free of cost (at the entrance)

There are officers to look after the facilities in the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, regulate the queues and attend to complaints.

Sarvadarsanam

Sarvadarsanam means 'darshan for all'. The timings for Sarvadarsanam are different on different days of the week. Please refer the weekly temple programme for the timings.

On normal days, about 18 hours are allotted for Sarvadarsanam and on peak days, it is open for 20 hours.

Around 50,000 pilgrims visit the main temple every day.
Special Entry Darshan (Seeghra Darshan)

The Seeghra Darshanm facility is introduced 0n 21-09-2009 to provide quick Darshan for the Pilgrims. The cost of the Ticket is Rs.300/- per pilgrim. The tickets will be issued at VQC-I in a separate queue line with 4 counters, after taking the tickets, the pilgrims are directly allowed for Darshan. Seeghra Darshan tickets will be issued on all the Sarva Darshan timings.

The darshan timings are the same as that for Sarvadarsanam.

Special Entry Darshan Timings
Saturday,Sunday, Monday4.00am to 5.00am , 7.00am to 6.00pm and 9.00pm to upto Ekantha seva.
Tuesday, Wednesday08.30am to 01.00pm ,
Thursday09.00am to 6.00 pm and 9.00pm to upto Ekanthaseva.
Friday10.00am to 6.00pm and 9.00pm to upto Ekanthaseva.

Divya Darshan

1. Divya Darshan facility is provided for pedestrian who come on foot to Tirumala through Gali Gopuram or Srivari Mettu.

2. Bio-metric counters are established on these foot paths, to facilitate free darshan, free accommodation (P.A.C) and free food facilities at Tirumala.

Sudarshan token System

The Sudarsanam token system was introduced to minimise the waiting time for Sarvadarsanam, Special Darshan and other paid darshan/sevas. Some of its features: The tokens are available Rs.50/- token at the

    1.Second Choultry (behind the Railway Station),

    2.Bhudevi Complex,

    3. Alipiri Tollgate,

    4.Sreenivasam in Tirupati,

    5.Srivari Sannidhi, Tirupati,

    6. RTC Bus stand in Tirupati,

    7.TTD Information centre ,Renigunta (opposite to the Renigunta Railway Station).

    The time of darshan is indicated on the tokens.Pilgrims can enter the Vaikuntam Queue Complex at Tirumala at the time indicated on the tokens. . As this system saves on waiting time, it provides pilgrims with enough time to visit temples in the vicinity like Sri Govindarajaswami Temple and Kapila Teertham at Tirupati, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple at Tiruchanur and Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram.To help TTD keep a track of the number of pilgrims and ensure their smooth flow, one token is issued per head. Collective tokens for groups are not issued.Sudarshan tokens to a tune of 5000 perday, Tuesday and Wednesday 2000 perday will be issued from 05:00am

    Some precautions for you to take:

  • Collect your Sudarsanam token only from TTD-run counters. Tokens issued by others are not valid.Do not exchange tokens.
  • Do not trust touts.

Special Darshan for Physically disabled and Aged

This special darshan is arranged for the physically disabled and the aged, the infants along with parents through a separate gate at the Maha Dwaram,the main temple entrance. If necessary, such pilgrims can be accompanied by an attendant.

Guide Lines for online Booking of Sevas/Accommodation

Guide Lines for online Booking of Sevas/Accommodation: Registration with TTD Website is mandatory for booking Srivari Arjitha sevas / Accommodation, wherein pilgrim is provided with username and password. Only one seva (persons allowed more than one) and one accommodation will be allotted for one registered user with in 90 days from the seva/accommodation date. Note: Maximum of 2 tickets can be booked for the same day for the same seva, where one person is allowed.
1.Internet Booking : Advance Booking of Srivari Arjitha Sevas can be booked from the Websitewww.ttdsevaonline.com, 90 days in advance.
2.e-Darshan Counters: Advance Booking of Srivari Arjitha Sevas (Suprabhatam, kalyanotsavam,Arjitha Brahmotsavam,Dolotsavam,Vasanthotsavam, sahasra Deepalakarana Seva,Nija Pada Darshanam,Vishesha Pooja), Rs.50/- Darshan, and Rs.50/-, Rs.100/-, Rs.300/- accommodation can be booked from the available e-Darshan Counters, 60 days in advance.
3.Advance Booking: Advance Booking of Srivari Arjitha Sevas can be done by sending Demand Draft in favour of the Executive Officer, T.T.D to the Assistant Executive Officer, Arjitham Office, Sri T.T.,Tirumala - 517 504 , 90days in advance. The Demand Draft for Advance Booking of seva can be accepted only for the following sevas:Suprabhatam, Kalyanothsavam, Dolothsavam, Arjitha Brahmothsavam, Visesha Pooja, Vasanthothsavam, Sahasra Deepalankarana seva, Nijapada darshanam.
4.Current Booking: Current Booking is the facility to book Arjitha sevas one day in advance or for the same day which are issued at Tirumala in Single Window Counter opposite to CRO, Tirumala.
The Quota to book Srivari Arjitha Sevas through e-Darshan, Internet and Advance Booking and Current Booking :
Arjitha Seva Tickets Available for booking from March 5th 2010
Name of the Seva
Current booking
Advance booking Available
Internet Booking
E-darshan booking
Seva Performing days
Cost (Rs.)
Persons Allowed
Bahumanam
Suprabhatam
100
95
50
50
Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun
120.00
One
2 Small laddus
Thomala Seva
Nil
Nil
10
Nil
Tue-Wed-Thu
220.00
One
2 Small laddus
Archana Seva
Nil
Nil
10
Nil
Tue-Wed-Thu
220.00
One
2 Small laddus
Kalyanotsavam
100
150
150
100
Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun
1000.00
Two

Two [2] Big laddus

Two [2] vadas

Five [5] Small laddus

One [1] Art silk Upper (or)

One Blouse Piece and 3 Grams Silver Dollar

Arjitha brahmothsavam
25
13
Nil
12
Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun
200.00
One

Two [2] small Laddus

Unjal Seva (Dolothsavam)
10
10
Nil
10
Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun

200.00

One

Two [2] small Laddus

Vasanthothsavam
25
13
5
12
Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun
300.00
One

Two [2] small Laddus

Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva
70
25
Nil
25
Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun

200.00

One

Two [2] small Laddus

Nijapada Darshnam
100
200
100
200
Fri
200.00
One
One [1] Small Laddu
Vishesha Pooja
25
25
25
25
Mon

600.00

One

One [1] Big Laddu,

One[1] Vada

One [1] Art silk Upper (or)

One Blouse Piece

Astadala Paada Padmaradhana
Nil
Nil
10
20
Tue

1,250.00

One

Two [2] Big laddus

Two [2] vadas

One [1] Art silk Upper (or)

One Blouse Piece

Sahasra Kalasabhishekam
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Wed

850.00

One

One [1] Big laddu

One [1] vada

Two [2] Appams

Two [2] Dosas

One [1] Art silk Upper (or)

One Blouse Piece

Pulihora,Chakkera Pongal, Payasam

Thiruppavada
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Thu

850.00

One

One [1] Big Laddu

One [1] Vada, One [1] Jilebi, One [1] Tentola

One [1] Art silk Upper (or)

One Blouse Piece

Pulihora

Poorabhishekam
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Fri
750.00
One
Two [2] Vadas, Two [2] small laddus
Melchat Vasthram
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Fri
12,250.00
Two (the couple will be allowed for Abhishekam)

Two [2] Big laddus

Two [2] Vadas

One [1] Art silk Upper (or)

One Blouse Piece

Notes

To reserve seva tickets in advance, you can send a Demand Draft drawn on any nationalised bank, in favour of The Executive Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati, (attach xerox copy of photo Id Proof (PAN card, Driving License , Voter Id, Passport, House hold card) along with the requisition letter ) and sent to the following address:

    Assistant Executive Officer
    Arjitham Office
    Sri T.T.,Tirumala - 517 504

    Contact No.0877-2263589, 2263679

    Advance reservations are not allowed for Ekanta Seva and Archanantara Darsanam is cancelled.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Tirumala Tirupati Darshan booking tour package tickets online services from Chennai

Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Devasthanam is the worlds most popular and India’s important pilgrimage center and also most visited place of worship in the world. The temple itself is no less than a wonder; it is a magnificent epitome of God's creation. Crores of people visit this Paradise on earth. Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is a famous Hindu Temple of Lord Balaji located in the Seven hills town Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, India. more..

TOUR TO TIRUPATI TIRUMALA

Tirumala Tirupati Darshan booking tour package tickets online services from Chennai

We Arrange different tour packages to Tirupathi Tirumala from various city's, Currently we offer packages from South India Chennai, Our Tour starts daily from T.NAGAR at Night 10 P.M. & Morning 5.30 A.M, Coaches will return by 8.00 P.M & 10.P.M more..

TIRUPATHI TIRUMALA BALAJI DARSHAN TEMPLE

Tirupati devasthanam is said to be the richest and holiest temple in India, this temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history spanning several centuries. Pilgrims from all over the country visitTirupati Tirumala devasthanam to have the Lord's Balaji's Darshan. Lord Balaji is considered an incarnation of God Vishnu. It is also said to be the Tirupati devasthanam is the only Vaikuntam on earth, The various names ascribed to the main deity are Balaji, Srinivasa, Srivari, Perumal, Vaikundanatha, Elumalaiyaan, Venkateswara and Venkatachalapathymore..

Tirumala venkateshwara temple is well maintained by the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam (TTD) and has done various arrangements for deities to have a peaceful darshan and also maintains twelve temples and their sub-shrines in the Tirumala Tirupati region more...

ANNUAL BRAHMOSTSAVAM 2011

Brahmotsavam is a festival of nine days in in Lord Venkateshwara Temple at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. This Brahmotsavam festival will start during Durga Navratri begins with Ankurarpana on September 28th 2011 and ends Oct.6th 2011 with Chakrasnana Mahotsavam. - More

ANNUAL BRAHMOSTSAVAM listed below
Dwajarohanam,Pedda Sesha Vahanam, Chinna Sesha Vahanam, Hamsa Vahanam,Simha Vahanam, Muthyapupandhiri Vahanam, Kalpha Vriksha Vahanam, Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam,Mohini Avatharam, Garuda Vahanam, Hanumantha Vahanam, Gaja Vahanam, Surya Prabha Vahanam, Chandra Prabha Vahanam,Rathotsavam, Aswa Vahanam, Chakrasnanam,Dwaja Avarohanam

Bangaru Thiruchi Vahanam, Pedda Sesha Vahanam, Chinna Sesha Vahanam, Hamsa Vahanam, Simha Vahanam, Muthyapupandhiri Vahanam, Kalpha Vriksha Vahanam, Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam, Mohini Avatharam, Garuda Vahanam, Hanumantha Vahanam, Gaja Vahanam, Surya Prabha Vahanam, Chandra Prabha Vahanam, Bangaru Rathotsavam, Aswa Vahanam,Chakrasnanam,Navarathri Koluvu Asthanam

TIRUPATI BALAJI LIVE TOUR

WELCOME TO TIRUPATI BALAJI
The town of Tirupati-Balaji is one of the most sacred places in India. It is famous for Lord Venkateshwara Deity. The name Tirupati-Balaji means the 'lord of Lakshmi'. The shrine is located on a hill at Tirumala, a cluster of seven hills known as Venkatachalam with an elevation of 853m above the sea level. It is said to be the richest temple in the world, this temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history. The architecture of the temple is such that the Cupola over the sanctorum is covered entirely with gold plate and is known as "the Ananda Nilayam". The shrine consists of three 'Prakarams'or enclosures.

Tirupati town is 67-km from Chittoor, the southern portion of Andhra Pradesh. The most important place of interest at the place is the historic shrine of Sri Venkateswara, the Lord of Seven Hills, who is famous all over the country.

Everyday is a day of festivity at Tirumala. The most famous is the annual festival called 'Brahmotsavam', which is celebrated on grand scale for nine days in September, attracting pilgrims and tourists from all parts of the country. The fifth and ninth days of the festival are especially significant in as much as Garudostavam and Rathotavam takes place on those days.

The other shrines that you can visit while on a trip to Tirupati-Balaji are the Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple consecrated by Saint Ramanujacharya in AD 1130; Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, the only temple dedicated to Lord Siva; Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, which has Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana as the presiding deities; and the legendary Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple. You can also visit Tiruchanur, where the temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi is situated.
TIRUPATI BALAJI LIVE TOUR
TEMPLE LEGENDS
Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in several Puranas, of which the most important are the Varaha Purana and the Bhavishyottara Purana. The printed work contains extracts from the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa, Vamana Purana, Brahma Purana, Brahmottara Purana, Aditya Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana. Most of these extracts describe the sanctity and antiquity of the hills around Tirumala and the numerous teerthams situated on them.

The legends taken from the Venkatachala Mahatmya and the Varaha Purana, pertaining to the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala, are of particular interest.

According to the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha manifested Himself on the western bank of the Swami Pushkarini, while Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara came to reside on the southern bank of the Swami Pushkarini.

Tirupati Darshan Booking Chennai – Get Tickets


Tirupati Balaji is the most visited place of worship in the world and the most sacred of the 108 Divya Desam - Lord Balaji is no one size. God out of their own will appears on seven hills, and will continue here in seven hills.Tirumala Thirupati is popularly known as Kaliyuga Vaikuntam.Holy Temple of Lord Venkateswara is in top of Tirumala hills. The Holy Hills is located in the ancient literature and scriptures. Millions of people visit the Tirumala Balaji temple in Thirupati. View from a hill start to Alipiri is seen to be believed. Summit opened in the beautiful valley of the broad scope of size and background, as many stores fantasticall stones in the form of roads serpentine.Flora and fauna of the holy hill of provides an example of the ecological balance of nature. Exquisitevely carved and spiritually elevated the shrine with a Hindu deity of the Lord turned out to be seen to be believed. The imposition of a chain of seven hills in the corners and stretch across several rindges recalls the divine serpent Adisesha.

Tirupati Darshan Booking Chennai – Online Booking Tickets

TTD make travel from Tirumala to Akasa Ganga Paapanasanam, Venugopal Swamy temple. Other places of interest in Tirumala is SRIPAADAM (The First appearance of Lord balaji), SILA THORANAM.In yaatrai of Tirumala, take the blessings of Tiruchanur Thayar first, then Secondly to Sri Swamy Govindaraj darsanam,Third to darsanam of Lord Varahaswamy before visiting the main temple. It is the general principle enunciated by the Lord himself. With that, Thiruchanur and Govindaraj Swamy temple at Thirupati Lord himself and Varahaswamy Temple Hills is on.


The Tirumala Tirupati Darshan Booking Chennai Tour Packages – Tickets

Want to Enquiry about details - fill the form below we will respond you in 1 – 3 hours.Tirupati darshan booking chennai


Tirupati darshan booking chennai, Online Booking

Tour Package 1 : Rs 1300 /- Tickets

5.00 amCheck out from T.Nagar by Luxury AC Tempo
9.00 amBreakfast in Thirupati
10.00 amContinues to Tirumala by Bus Government
11.45 amQuick access to the temple Rs 300 / -
01.45 pmBack to Thirupati for lunch
02.15 pmGoing to Alamelumanga Temple (Padmavathi)
04.00 pmDepart to Chennai
10.00 pmOn reaching Chennai, T.Nagar

Tour Package 2 : Rs 950 /- Tickets

10.00 pmCheck out from T.Nagar by Comfortable Tempo
After arriving in Tirumala Hotels Rooms Thirupati good place for recreation
4.30 amSpecial individual fingerprints tickets
7.00 amBreakfast in Thirupati
7.30 amFrom Thirupati continues to Tirumala by Bus Government
10.00 amEntry access to the temple
02.00 pmMove down the hills
02.30 pmLunch at the restuarant
03.30 pmGoing to Alamelumanga Temple (Padmavathi Thayar)
04.30 pmDepart to Chennai
08.30 pmOn reaching Chennai T. Nagar





Live Darshan of Tirupati Balaji Online

Live Darshan of Tirupati Balaji Online


The live channel of Tirupati Balaji is located at

http://tirumala-tirupati-balaji.blogspot.com/

Crores of Hindus across the globe plan to visit Tirumala to have the Darshan of Lord Venkateswara, Lord Balaji, Lord Narayana, Lord Srinivasa, who is all for every hindu. Tirumala is said to be the only Vaikuntam on earth.

Millions visit Tirumala to get darshan gradually, the number of pilgrims who want to have Lord’s Darshan is galloping. It is estimated that 70000 devotees will have Lord’s Darshan in the allotted timetable of the day. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is an autonomous panel, which is stretching to maximum, to accommodate more and more devotees to have Lord’s Darshan in any specified day.


The Tirupati Balaji E-Darshan page is located at the

http://tirumala-tirupati-balaji.blogspot.com/

Today's Tirumala News..


Today's Tirumala News..


Headlines

New dining hall in Annadanam Complex
TTD moots spiritual expo of vahanams
Tonsure Takes Longer Than Darshan!


New dining hall in Annadanam Complex
Tirupati , Sep 23 :

TTD Trust Board chairman K Bapi Raju inaugurated a third dining hall in the massive Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam Complex here on Thursday.


Earlier, he, along with his wife Annapurna, performed pujas to the photo of Sri Padmavathi Venkateswara and later dined in the complex along with other pilgrims.

Before he began consuming Annaprasadam, he recited the Annapurna Devi Stotram along with executive officer LV Subrahmanyam, joint executive officer KS Srinivasa Raju, chief vigilance and security officer MK Singh and other important officials.

After lunch, Bapi Raju inaugurated the buffet system of food serving in the fourth dining hall and served food to pilgrims.

The chairman said the objective of the Annadanam programme is ``serving delicious food to each and every pilgrim who visits Tirumala.

Already, the food that is being served here is very good but we still want to improve the taste and add new delicacies.

We are prepared to serve any number of pilgrims who turn out for upcoming Brahmotsavam,'' he said.

Deputy EO (Annadanam) Gajapathi and other officials were also present.


TTD moots spiritual expo of vahanams
Tirupati , Sep 23 :

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is planning to arrange a spiritual exhibition of the celestial processional vehicles of Lord Venkateswara at the Vaibhavotsava manda-pam at Tirumala soon.

Speaking to the media at Tirumala on Friday, the TTD executive officer, Mr L.V. Subramanyam, and joint executive officer, Mr K.S. Srinivasa Raju, said after a two-hour-long inspection locally, that the Lord takes pleasure rides in various vahanams during the annual
Brahmotsavams, with each vehicle having its own mythological significance.

"The vahanams will be displayed for general pilgrims soon at the Vaibhavotsava mandapam with a certain time slot of opening and closure so that the pilgrims can know about the mythological significance of these vahanams," the officials said.

Booklets were prepared, duly explaining the importance of the vehicles, these to be distributed to pilgrims.

The officials expressed satisfaction with the feedback from pilgrims during inspections at various choultries.


Tonsure Takes Longer Than Darshan!
Tirupati , Sep 23 :

The laxity of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in recruiting regular barbers for the Kalyanakatta, the main tonsure centre, on Tirumala is testing the patience of devotees and upsetting their schedules.

Not a single barber has been re-fruited on a regular basis in the past 15 years though the pilgrim flow has increased 10 times.

Devotees, who wish to offer their hair to the Lord, have to wait for six to eight hours on normal days and for longer periods on holidays and during festival season when the rush is heavy.

Strangely, sometimes, devotees wait longer for tonsure of their head than for the darshan of the Lord.

Yet, the administration has failed to address the problem in right nearnest.

Concomitant with the ordeal of devotees is the
exploitation of labour at the richest Hindu religious institution!

This apart, the delay in appointing barbers and regularising those working on an ad hoc basis has led to a plethora of protest by the dbarbers for a better deal and an acrimonious tussle among the associations representing them in the past three years.

After the abolition of the Mirasi (hereditary) sys-which was in vogue at he Srivari temple on Tirumala and other shrines under TTD administration and also at the Kalyanakatta, about 600 Mirasi barbers were absorbed into TTD service in 1986.

Since then not a single barber has been recruited even though vacancies arose due to the retirement or death of some barbers.

At present, 242 regular barber posts are vacant.

Finding the situation tough, the TTD hired 175 barbers in 2001 on 'piece rate' basis i.e. payment of Rs 5 for tonsure of a pilgrim, which has subsequently been hiked to Rs 7 following criticism from devotees.

Later, more barbers were hired on the 'piece rate' basis, bringing the total number of barbers at Kalyanakatta to 665.

On an average, 25,000 to 30,000 pilgrims tonsure their heads every day.

The number goes up to 40,000 to 50,000 during weekends and 60,000 to 75,000 during summer and festive seasons.

Normally, the present team of barbers can serve a maximum number of 24,000 pilgrims.

One barber can tonsure 40 heads in an 8-hour shift.

Each shift has 200 barbers working, and there are three shifts a day.

It is but natural that middlemen having a clout with politicians and officials are taking advantage of the situation and exploiting unemployed barbers who are keen on getting work or employment at Kalyanakatta.

There is a huge demand for employment at Kalyanakatta, as the barbers believe that entry into the Till service, even on piece rate basis, will lay the path for a comfortable life and also fetch them some extra income in the form of tips from pilgrims.

The TTD has twice given up recruitment of barbers first in October last year and in June this year.

It appointed 120 barbers last year on free service (Srivari seva) basis to cope with the work load while avoiding legal complications.

Again, it prepared a list of 220 barbers for posting on piece rate basis but shelved the move in the face of stiff resistance from barbers, alleging irregularities in the selection.

AP Nayee Brahmana Seva Sangham president Enukonda Subrahmanyam and AP Kshavara Vruttidarula Sangham president Devara-konda Nagaraj squarely blame the TTD for the situation.

"The delay in appointing barbers is the root cause of the problems being faced by devotees as well as barbers," they say.

The TTD needs at least 1,500 barbers to render timely service to devotees.

It has no dearth of money but is dilly-dallying on recruiting.

From time immemorial tonsuring is a significant and inseparable ritual connected with Tirumala pilgrimage and the devout observe it as a token of fulfilment of their vow.

It is unfortunate that the TTD is not giving due importance to streamline the functioning of Kalyanakatta.

"Barbers are often forced to do double duty and slog for 16 hours or even more in return for meagre payments.

No wonder, some barbers fall ill because of the stress.

"Further, the situation has spawned corruption.

Some greedy Till employees fleece the barbers.

If 'mamool' is not paid, they are harassed or even implicated in false cases.

The insecurity of job and the need to grease the palms of administrative staff force some barbers to take or demand tips from pilgrims, tarnishing the image of the Devasthanam.

Recruitment of adequate number of barbers solves all these problems," Subrahmanyam and Nagaraj say.

Executive officer LV Subrahmanyam was candid enough to admit the delay in recruiting barbers, though for various reasons including legal.

"It is shameful that the pilgrims wait for hours to tonsure their heads," he says and assures that the TTD is taking measures to solve the problem soon.

"We have got sanction for recruitment of 600 barbers on a regular basis and plan to get clearance for recruiting 400 more," he says, assuring contract barbers of justice.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The annual teppotsavam at Tirumala is scheduled-2011

The annual teppotsavam at Tirumala is scheduled to take place from March 15 to 19 for as the processional deity of Lord in various guises seated on the "Flotilla" takes pleasure ride in the holy waters of Swami Pushkarini for five days.

Also known as ‘Boat Festival’ or ‘Float Festival’, it is one of the important annual festivals being performed in Tirumala where in the processional deities are taken on demonstration in a float (Teppam), in the temple tank, together with chanting of hymns and the playing of nadaswarams. It is celebrated for five consecutive days in the evenings at around 6pm with religious fervour.

On the first day(March 15), the processional deity takes the guise of Lord Rama and takes pleasure ride along with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman while on the second day (March 16), Lord as Sri Krishna takes ride along with Goddess Rukmini while on the last three days that is on March 17, 18 and 19, Lord Sri Malayappa Swami flanked by his two consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken for a ride in the sacred waters of temple take and are worshipped by tens of thousands of devotees.

TTD has cancelled Sahasradeeplankara Seva during these days owing to the festival. But grihastas who wanted to participate in this festival can pay Rs.2500 on which five persons are allowed to witness the grandeur of lord on Teppam.

 
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