TIRUPATI, INDIA, November 11, 2016 (Sakshi Post): Devotees visiting the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala were hit hard on Wednesday as taxi drivers and owners of hotels and shops refused to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 (US$7.50-15.00) denomination currency notes after the government’s sudden move to demonetize them.
The pilgrims, who flock from all over the country to the temple town, had a tough time buying food and other essential items of daily use. Some were facing difficulties even in buying milk for their children. “After reaching at the railway station on Wednesday morning, we learnt that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are no longer valid. Since we were travelling, we are carrying only high denomination currency notes,” said G. Rammohan, a devotee from Visakhapatnam.
The TTD accepted Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for darshan tickets. Arrangements were also made to enable devotees swipe their credit and debit cards for accommodation and other services provided by the TTD. With banks and ATMs closed for the day, the pilgrims and visitors had no option but to borrow or buy on credit, or to rough it out. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which runs the affairs of the hill shrine – the richest in the country – intervened to provide some succor to the pilgrims. It arranged for free food, snacks and milk for all pilgrims.