There has been an alarming raise of Covid-19 cases in Tirumala and Tirupati. Of late, daily, more than 500 cases have been reported from Chittor district where Lord Balaji Temple is situated. As many as 40% of Covid-19 cases in Chittor district have been reported from Tirupati alone. More than 160 Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam trust employees, too, have tested positive, including 18 priests. So, the government authorities have declared Tirupati a containment zone and a complete lockdown has been re-imposed up to 5 August.
People are allowed to buy essentials from 6 am to 11 am only. Superintendent of Police A. Ramesh Reddy has appealed to trade and commerce outlets to extend cooperation in containing Covid-19. He said: “Extra care is necessary since many people come to the temple town daily.”
Despite the complete lockdown imposed in Tirupati, darshans for Lord Balaji go on; the devotees will be permitted from Tirupati bypass road to the hills of Tirumala. Nowadays 12,000 devotees are allowed to have darshan due to the fresh lockdown, it’s reduced to 9,000 as Sarvadarsan tickets stopped at the temple. Only online bookings are allowed now — no physical selling of tickets.
On the other hand, trouble is brewing among the priests since the government has not suspended darshans and the priests are asked to attend duties. But it is learnt that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy is not willing to suspend the darshans completely as of now. The TTD, too, could not take any decision in this regard since it is linked to the sentiments of the people. Its chief, Y.V. Subba Reddy, has repeatedly said that not a single devotee has so far contacted the virus and authorities are taking all necessary precautions.