The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board, responsible for managing the sacred Tirupati temple, issued major directives on Sunday, August 13, regarding restrictions for devotees using the Alipiri walkway to access the temple. These changes have been made in the interest of safety, particularly focusing on children and the movement of two-wheelers along the path.
According to a TTD press release, visitors accompanied by children under 15 years of age will only be allowed to use the walkway routes between 5 am and 2 pm. The movement of two-wheelers has also been restricted between 6 pm and 6 am along the ghat roads.
This decision has been made in response to the tragic incident involving six-year-old Lakshitha, who lost her life in a suspected attack by wild animals last Friday night. The press release stated, “In the wake of attacks by wild beasts, especially targeting children, TTD has taken two important decisions. Pilgrims with children aged below 15 years are allowed to trek on both Alipiri and Srivari Mettu walkway routes from 5 am to 2 pm only. In another decision, the movement of two-wheelers will be halted from 6 pm to 6 am on the ghat roads.”
TTD officials have identified leopard movement at five locations, including the 38th Turning, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy(LNS) temple, and three areas near Alipiri and Galigopuram. The board has requested cooperation from pilgrims, emphasizing adherence to the newly implemented rules as they work towards resolving the problem with wild animals in the vicinity.
Additionally, TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakara Reddy has scheduled a high-level meeting on Monday with the TTD Executive Officer, District Collector, and Superintendent of Police. They will discuss and evaluate the measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims, both on the footpath routes and the ghat roads.
These precautions highlight TTD’s commitment to ensuring the well-being and security of the devotees visiting the revered shrine. The new restrictions have been promptly enforced, underscoring the significance of safety in the spiritual journey of the pilgrims. The board continues to actively monitor the situation and is working closely with local authorities to mitigate risks, aiming to preserve the sanctity and safety of one of India’s most prominent religious sites.