Archive · 28 Sep 2026
TTD Plans For 20% More Pilgrims During Navaratri Brahmotsavams
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is preparing for a large number of pilgrims during the Navaratri Brahmotsavams.
Officials expect about 20% more visitors than during the previous festival.
They are planning extra food, transport, darshan and safety arrangements.
The two festivals are unusually close together this year because of Adhika Masam.
During the last festival, about 73,000 people had darshan each day.
Most pilgrims waited between five and eight hours.
Officials say ordinary devotees will receive priority.
VIP and some special darshan services may be limited if crowds become too large.
The TTD is also preparing for rain and possible emergency support.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams expects about 20% more pilgrims during the Navaratri Brahmotsavams than during the recent Salakatla celebrations.
Additional arrangements are being made for darshan, Annaprasadam, transport, security and other logistics.
The two Brahmotsavams are being held only 17 days apart this year because of Adhika Masam.
TTD says average daily darshan during the Salakatla Brahmotsavams was about 73,000, with waiting times generally lasting five to eight hours.
VIP and other privilege darshan categories may be regulated, reduced or cancelled to shorten waiting times for Sarva Darshan devotees.
- Who
- The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, led in the review by Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, along with other officials.
- What
- The TTD is preparing additional arrangements for an expected 20% increase in pilgrims during the Navaratri Brahmotsavams.
- When
- The arrangements were reviewed on Monday; the Navaratri Brahmotsavams will follow the recent Salakatla Brahmotsavams by 17 days.
- Where
- Tirumala, at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
- Why
- The festival falls during a holiday period and is expected to draw more pilgrims, requiring expanded services and crowd management.
Ordinary Devotee Priority
Privilege Access Management
Managing darshan access
Ordinary Devotee Priority
The TTD says it will prioritize Sarva Darshan and ordinary devotees during the festival.
Privilege Access Management
VIP, privilege, senior-citizen, children, SRIVANI and special-entry darshan may be regulated according to crowd conditions.
Reducing waiting times
Ordinary Devotee Priority
Darshan categories may be reduced or cancelled to bring down waiting times for Sarva Darshan devotees.
Privilege Access Management
Officials may limit access to some special categories when necessary, potentially reducing or cancelling those services.
Festival preparedness
Ordinary Devotee Priority
The TTD is expanding food, transport, security and logistics arrangements because attendance is expected to rise.
Privilege Access Management
The scale of arrangements must also account for rain, security concerns and the possibility of needing NDRF assistance.
- Expected increase
- About 20% more pilgrims than attended the recent Salakatla Brahmotsavams
- Festival interval
- The two Brahmotsavams are being held 17 days apart this year
- Recent daily attendance
- About 73,000 devotees received darshan each day during the nine-day Salakatla Brahmotsavams
- Recent waiting time
- Generally five to eight hours, and no more than 10 hours
- Service satisfaction
- Feedback showed 95% to 98% satisfaction with Annaprasadam, electrical decorations, flower decorations and several other services
- Priority
- Ordinary devotees will receive priority during the Navaratri Brahmotsavams
- Contingency planning
- The TTD is preparing for October rainfall and will coordinate with the district administration for NDRF services if required