Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced a temporary suspension of Slotted Sarva Darshan (SSD) token issuance at Tirupati ahead of the annual Ratha Saptami celebrations, aiming to manage expected heavy crowds and ensure smooth darshan for devotees.

Under the latest advisory from TTD Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chowdary, SSD tokens will not be issued from January 24 to January 26 at all designated Sarva Darshan token counters in Tirupati. This includes the usual advance issuance for the Tirumala temple darshan.

TTD officials said this measure is part of comprehensive crowd regulation plans, given the expected large influx of devotees during the Ratha Saptami festival on January 25 — a major event marked by processions of Lord Venkateswara on multiple vahanams (holy vehicles).

Key Changes and Instructions:

No issuance of Sarva Darshan tokens from Jan 24–26 to help manage crowd flow. VIP and privilege darshan services suspended, including for senior citizens, parents with infants, NRIs, and other concession categories — only protocol dignitaries will be permitted special break darshans.

Recommendation letters for VIP break darshan will not be accepted on Jan 24. Standard darshan operations, including free Sarva Darshan entry via the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, will resume after the festival period.

TTD has called on devotees to plan their visit and darshan itinerary, considering these temporary changes, and to cooperate with arrangements for security, queue management, medical assistance, and other facilities being reinforced during the festival.

What Devotees Should Know About Ratha Saptami

Ratha Saptami, celebrated on 25 January, is a significant annual festival at Tirumala, often likened to a minor Brahmotsavam. The day features a series of vahana sevas, including Surya Prabha, Chinna Sesha, Garuda, Hanumantha, Chakrasnanam, Kalpavruksha, Sarvabhoopala, and Chandraprabha processions.

During this period, TTD also expects enhanced crowd movement on ghat roads and at temple precincts, prompting additional coordination with police and administrative teams for traffic and safety management.