A tragic stampede near Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati left four devotees dead, including three women, and several others injured during the distribution of Vaikunta Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens. The tokens were being issued for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at the famous Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple on Tirumala Hills, set to commence on January 10.
Incident Details
Hundreds of devotees from across the country gathered to secure tokens for the darshan. Visuals from the scene show a massive crowd jostling for tickets, leading to chaos and the unfortunate stampede. Emergency responders, including police personnel, were seen administering CPR to victims, and ambulances quickly transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
Chief Minister’s Response
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deep sorrow over the incident. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) issued a statement saying that the CM is closely monitoring the situation. He has been in constant communication with district officials and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) authorities to ensure swift relief and medical attention for the injured.
The CM also directed higher officials to visit the site and oversee the relief measures personally. Efforts are being made to provide the best possible treatment to those injured in the stampede.
About Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam
Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam is an annual spiritual event at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple that attracts thousands of devotees from across India. The special darshan is highly sought after, and token distribution is a crucial aspect of crowd management.
