Trekking devotees also bore the brunt of the ‘failure’ of the TTD as ‘Divyadarshan’ was indefinitely suspended
Tirupati: The failure of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and the cops in terms of making elaborate arrangements to meet with the ‘expected’ heavy influx of crowds during the ‘Garuda’ seva procession cast a blow to the festive mood as the devotees were not only caned but also subjected to extreme hardships on Tuesday.
The ‘well planned’ arrangements as boasted by the ‘top brass’ of the TTD went haywire as early as the morning itself with lakhs of devotees pouring into the hill shrine. The miseries of the devout began the moment they reached the Alipiri tollgate as it took no lesser than 2-3 long hours for the devotees to get pass the tollgate.
According to official statistics close to 15,000 vehicles recorded entry through the tollgate on Tuesday. But on their arrival at Tirumala, it became quite clear for the devotees that the temple administration had miserably failed in ‘estimating’ the ‘traffic’ inflow and as such had also failed in terms of making elaborate traffic and parking arrangements. Devotees were forced to walk not less than two kilometers along with their kith and kin to reach only the entry points.
Trekking devotees also bore the brunt of the ‘failure’ of the TTD as ‘Divyadarshan’ was indefinitely suspended. Meanwhile, with the galleries in the four mada streets brim to their full as early as the morning itself, TTD and cops denied the opportunity to lakhs of devotees to take part in the ‘Garuda seva’ festivities.
Heated arguments between the devotees and the cops were witnessed at all the 25 odd entry points leading to the galleries in the mada streets. And as if the hardships that the devotees went through was not enough, the cops caned them near the Akhilandam for trying to force their way in, as the TTD ‘top’ brass played the role of a mute spectator. Stampede like situations were witnessed at several places as well.
Scores of devotees were injured in the excesses against them at Tirumala on Tuesday. ‘Regular’ devotees at the Lord’s Brahmotsavams felt the officials miserably failed in their homework and in ‘organizing’ the most celebrated festival in a smooth manner this time around.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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