Tirupati: Only 500 devotees would be allowed entry into Tirumala temple per hour said TTD Chairman Y V Subba Reddy. He is personally monitoring the resumption of pilgrim services at the temple. It was only a darshan with a difference for the 6000 odd devotees when the doors of the lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirumala reopened on Monday, after stay-in closed for 80 days due to Covid-19.

The TTD authorities make elaborate preventive measures to ensure all Covid-19 norms are in place. There was no pushing or shoving, social distancing and hygiene were paramount.

Their main focus would be on ensuring the devotees or not inconvience despite the strict norms in place. He also said that before Covid-19 crises, nearly 4500 to 6000 devotees use to have Darshan per hour. Y V Subba Reddy said that for the first three days we decided to allow only TTD employees, their families and the Tirumala locals for Darshan so that any short comings in the arrangements can be spotted and improved upon to ensure that the best amenities and safety measures are in place when pilgrim services resume from June 11.

He also said we will be allowed not more than 6000 devotees in a day for Darshan till the end of June. TTD will actively monitor the situation and if time and other constrains permit, we will try our best to facilitate Darshan for more number of devotees in the weeks to come. But resumptions of Aarjitha sevas for devotees will remain cancelled till lockdown in completely lifted, he added.

TTD has also resumed the Laddu distribution, tonsure services and Annadanam services in strict adherence with Covid-19 safety protocol. Meanwhile, other TTD temples across the country except for those in the containment zones also reopened from pilgrim worship on Monday.