Travel: Tirupati Balaji Darshan became costlier, know complete information from online booking to accommodation!

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the management trust of the temple, has launched an online ticketing system. Starting January 12 and running till February 28, visitors to the TTD website can buy a discounted special darshan ticket for Rs 300. Registration for tickets started on 9 January at 10 am.

In Tirumala, however, the TTD has increased the rents of newly renovated guesthouses and cottages by almost ten times. An article in Times Now News said that the tariff has increased from Rs 150 to Rs 1,700.

Narayangiri Guest House has increased its accommodation rates from Rs 750 to Rs 1,700. In this sequence, the rent of a special cottage has been increased from Rs 750 to Rs 2200.

The dramatic hike in rates has created a stir, with politicians and residents alike calling on the TTD Trust to reduce housing costs so that they are more reasonable for the average person. According to TTD, it has modernized SV Rest House and Narayangiri Rest House and revised the fare according to the needs of the devotees.

Online Tirupati Special Darshan Tickets: How to Book?

Visit the official website of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in.

On the home page, select "Online Booking" and then "TTD Darshan Booking Online".

Enter your email ID and password and click "Submit" to create an account.

Complete the online booking form for TTD Tickets by adding the required details.

You can make the payment online using Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.

On payment, you will receive a TTD ticket of Rs.300 through email or download.

TTD publicly disclosed its financial position in November last year for the first time since its inception in 1933. To put this in perspective, the market capitalization of IT services firm Wipro, food and beverage company Nestle, and state-owned oil giants Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is jointly less than the net worth of Is. The world-famous Lord Venkateswara Temple, whose documents are worth more than Rs 2.5 lakh crore.

Several public figures and regular citizens, protesting against the recent rate hike, have urged the TTD Trust to reconsider the house rental rates and bring them back to the ground.