A tragic stampede at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple claimed six lives and left 40 injured during the distribution of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tokens. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken swift action, calling for a review meeting and pledging measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
KEy Highlights:
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam, close to the ticketing counter for Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan, during the annual Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrations. Key details:
- Casualties: Six devotees lost their lives, including one woman from Tamil Nadu.
- Injuries: Approximately 40 people were injured.
- Crowd Surge: The stampede happened amid a large gathering of devotees.
Offline tokens for darshan have since been made available at various distribution centres in Tirupati to streamline the process.
Government Response
Chandrababu Naidu’s Actions
- Convened an emergency review meeting to assess the situation.
- Announced a visit to the temple to evaluate the arrangements and meet the affected families.
- Pledged ex-gratia compensation for the victims’ families.
Statements from TDP Spokesperson
Prem Kumar Jain, TDP National Spokesperson, expressed condolences and highlighted the government’s proactive measures:
- Proper arrangements had been made, but the unforeseen crowd surge led to the tragedy.
- Ex-gratia support will be provided to the deceased’s families.
- Measures are underway to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
About Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan
Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan is a sacred event at the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple, held from January 10 to 19. It allows devotees to pass through the Vaikuntha Dwara, a sacred gateway, to receive Lord Venkateswara’s blessings.
Given the significance of this event, it attracts lakhs of devotees annually, necessitating meticulous planning and crowd management.
Steps for Future Safety
The state government has announced the implementation of several measures to ensure better crowd management and prevent stampedes during temple events:
- Improved Infrastructure: Expanding ticketing counters and darshan facilities.
- Enhanced Security: Deployment of additional personnel for crowd control.
- Digital Solutions: Promoting online token distribution to minimize physical gatherings.
- Real-time Monitoring: Setting up control rooms for constant surveillance during peak events.
The Tirupati stampede underscores the need for stringent safety protocols during high-profile religious events. While the tragedy has cast a shadow over the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan preparations, the swift action by CM Chandrababu Naidu and the state government aims to restore faith and ensure the safety of devotees in the future.
Devotees and officials alike hope such incidents will never repeat, reaffirming the sanctity and safety of temple visits.
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