TIRUMALA, INDIA, November 28, 2008: The TTD management has dispensed with the system of VIP darshan passes both on January 1 and on the auspicious Vaikunta Ekadasi festival day falling on January 7 according to the almanac. The decision was taken to provide for longer darshan hours to common devotees.
TTD Executive Officer K.V. Ramanachary said that the management was expecting a heavy turnout of pilgrims on both these auspicious days and hence has taken a strong decision to cancel issuance of darshan passes to VIPs despite all the opposition it is bound to create. No seva tickets will be issued to the public from December 31 to January 2.