Stampede at Tirupati Temple Claims 4 Lives, Several Injured

A tragic stampede occurred late Wednesday evening near the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan ticketing center in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The incident claimed the lives of at least four devotees and left several others injured. The injured were rushed to Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital for urgent medical care.

Details of the Incident at Tirupati Temple

1. Cause of the Stampede:
   • The stampede was triggered by a massive rush of devotees attempting to secure tokens for the 10-day Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam, which begins on January 10.
   • Hundreds of devotees had gathered from across the country, leading to overcrowding near the ticketing center.
2. Casualties and Injuries:
   • Deaths: At least four devotees lost their lives.
   • Injuries: Several others sustained injuries and were quickly transported to Ruia Government General Hospital for treatment.

Response from Authorities

1. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu:
   • Expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
   • Spoke to officials to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.
   • Directed senior officials to visit the scene, oversee relief measures, and prevent further incidents.
2. Emergency Measures:
   • Rescue teams and police were deployed to manage the crowd and restore order.
   • Immediate steps were taken to address the needs of injured devotees and their families.

Significance of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam

• Spiritual Importance:
  • Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam is a sacred 10-day event attracting thousands of devotees annually to the Tirupati temple.
• Devotee Turnout:
  • The event draws pilgrims from across India, making crowd management a significant challenge.