Telangana Awaits Green Signal to Resume Tirumala Darshan Package
The Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) is optimistic about restarting the Tirumala Darshan package. A formal request has been made to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) board, urging them to allow the resumption of these popular services.
Telangana Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has written a letter to the Andhra Pradesh government, requesting the reintroduction of the package. The Sheegra Darshan facility, which was part of this package, was highly appreciated by devotees. It provided a streamlined way for pilgrims to visit Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy at Tirumala via air and bus services. The package allowed devotees to complete their journey within a day or two, with many starting after 6 a.m. and returning by night. The convenience of booking tickets and securing darshan slots a week in advance made the service particularly appealing.
However, the TTD board had earlier discontinued the package due to reports of irregularities. This decision impacted tourism corporations from four southern states—Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka—which were offering this service to devotees.
Devotees who relied on the package have since appealed to the TTD board to reconsider their decision. They have also urged tourism authorities to advocate for the service’s revival. Managing Director of Telangana Tourism Development Corporation, N Prakash Reddy, shared that a letter has been sent to the Andhra Pradesh government, emphasizing the popularity of the scheme. Similar requests have also been made by other southern state tourism corporations.
Reddy expressed hope for a favorable response, stating, “There are no irregularities from our end, and we are optimistic that the services will resume within a fortnight.” Devotees now eagerly await the TTD board’s decision.
