Date:31/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/31/stories/2006123104430600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Heavy rush at Tirumala

Staff Reporter

TIRUMALA: The hill temple of Lord Venkateswara on Saturday witnessed unprecedented crowd resulting in jamming of queue lines. There was an estimated crowd of more than one lakh for the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival observed today and New Year eve hardly a day away.

Visits by VIPs including Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers and other dignitaries also compounded the difficulties of the TTD.The second Vaikuntam complex meant for the ordinary pilgrims was full to its capacity with crowds spilling over two kilometres. According to information available till this evening while the waiting time for general darshan was put around 114 hours it stretched beyond 92 hours for devotees opting for Rs. 50 special entry tickets.