3 weeks ago
Free Bus Rides Drive Temple Rush in Rayalaseema
Many women in India are getting free bus rides because of a government plan called Stree Shakti.
Because bus travel is free, lots of women are now going to visit temples.
Temples in the Rayalaseema region are becoming very crowded, especially on weekends.
Most of the people visiting these temples are women.
The buses are almost always full.
One famous temple, Srisailam, used to get 10,000 to 20,000 visitors each day.
Now it gets more than 40,000 visitors every day.
Smaller temples are also becoming popular because people see them on social media and can reach them easily by bus.
Shopkeepers near the temples are happy because they are selling more goods.
The bus company is running full services on weekends to handle all the passengers.
Temples across Rayalaseema are seeing a sharp rise in devotee footfall on weekends, with women accounting for nearly 70 to 75 per cent of visitors.
Officials partly attribute the increase to the Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme for women.
APSRTC bus occupancy averages 88 per cent across the region, rising above 90 per cent during weekends, festivals and long holidays.
Srisailam temple now receives more than 40,000 devotees daily, up from 10,000-20,000 earlier.
Nearly 1.70 crore passengers travelled on APSRTC buses in Nandyal district between August 15, 2025 and May 15, 2026, about 75 per cent of them women.
- Who
- Women devotees, who form 70-75 per cent of visitors, travelling under the Stree Shakti free bus scheme, along with APSRTC and temple officials.
- What
- A sharp rise in weekend footfall at temples across Rayalaseema, including Srisailam and lesser-known shrines gaining visibility on social media.
- Where
- The Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh — Kadapa, Kurnool, Chittoor and Anantapur districts, including Srisailam, Tirupati and Nandyal.
- When
- Weekends, festivals and long holidays; Nandyal district data covers August 15, 2025, to May 15, 2026.
- Why
- The Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme and social media visibility encouraged more devotees to travel by public transport to temples.
Key facts
- Scheme
- Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme for women
- Women share of temple visitors
- 70-75 per cent
- Average APSRTC bus occupancy
- 88 per cent; above 90 per cent on weekends, festivals and holidays
- Buses operated in Rayalaseema
- About 3,865, including hired services; 793 in the Tirupati region
- Nandyal district passengers (Aug 15, 2025 - May 15, 2026)
- Nearly 1.70 crore, about 75 per cent women
- Srisailam daily devotees
- Over 40,000 daily, up from 10,000-20,000 earlier
- Peak daily APSRTC passengers
- More than five lakh across Rayalaseema
Quotes
P.S. Ramesh Babu
APSRTC Kadapa regional manager
““To meet the growing demand, we are operating full services even on weekends. A majority of passengers are women availing themselves of the free travel facility under the Stree Shakti scheme.””
deccanchronicle.com
deccanchronicle.com
““I visit the temple every Tuesday and Friday. I start early in the morning by bus and return by afternoon.””
deccanchronicle.com
Temple official
Official at Srisailam temple
““Earlier, the temple used to receive 10,000 to 20,000 devotees a day. Now, more than 40,000 people are visiting daily, especially during weekends.””
deccanchronicle.com
““In the past, very few devotees visited this temple. Now, it is crowded on special days, and we are seeing a steady rise in visitors.””
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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