A devastating stampede occurred at the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati on Wednesday evening, resulting in the loss of six lives and injuring over 30 devotees. The chaos erupted during the distribution of Vaikuntha Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens, which grant access to a special darshan believed to offer a glimpse of the divine gates of heaven.
The stampede occurred at two locations, Vishnu Nivasam and Padmavati Park, as gates were opened to allow an unwell devotee to exit the queue. Thousands of devotees, who had been waiting since early morning, surged forward, causing severe overcrowding and disorder. Witnesses reported inadequate crowd management, with some stating that even police personnel were absent when the gate was opened.
Devotees criticized the token distribution process, citing a lack of organization and planning. One survivor noted that the tragedy could have been avoided if the system in place after the Covid pandemic had been followed.
The Vaikuntha Dwara Sarva Darshan event is a significant occasion for devotees, attracting lakhs of people, particularly during the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had planned to distribute tokens through 94 counters across nine centers, but the sudden influx of devotees overwhelmed the system.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu expressed shock over the tragedy and instructed senior officials to visit the site and ensure the injured receive proper care. An investigation into the incident is underway.
