On Thursday, D Sambasiva Rao, the Cheif Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam, took the decision to make Aadhar Card mandatory for ‘privileged special entry darshan’ and laddus. This decision was taken so as to prevent the misuse of this facility by people.
All those individuals, who now trek the Tirumala hills will now have to provide individual Aadhar cards so as to avail special services and special darshan in the temple. The temple Public Relations Officer Talari Ravi said that at present devotees are given laddus for free and also at reduced prices along with the special darshan. He also added that those who do not possess an ID card must submit an authorized identity card to get the special darshan facility midway to access the special services in the 10km walk that leads to the shrine. He also said that those do not possess ID proof will be allowed into Tirumala but would not be eligible the ‘privileged special entry darshan’.
Over the years the number of people opting for privileged special entry darshan has increased considerably. While this service is available for everyone, those who misuse this privilege has also increased. to prevent this from happening, TTD took the decision to make the Aadhar Card mandatory.
