6 killed, 30 injured in stampede in queue for event tokens at Tirupati temple | India News – Times of India

A stampede claimed the lives of six devotees and left over 30 injured during the issuance of Vaikuntha Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens for Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati Wednesday evening.
The chaos erupted around 8pm when Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials began distributing tokens at various centres, including Vishnu Nivasam, Srinivasam and Padmavati Park. The stampede occurred at two locations as the gates were opened to allow an unwell devotee to exit the queue. Devotees, many of whom had been waiting since early morning, surged forward, resulting in severe overcrowding and disorder.
Mallika, a devotee from Salem in Tamil Nadu, died of her injuries while being transported to Ruia Hospital in the temple town. Three others died during treatment at Ruia Hospital, and two more passed away at SVIMS. Authorities fear the toll may rise as some of the injuries are critical.
In constant touch with district, TTD officials, says CM Naidu
Witnesses reported inadequate crowd management. “Even four police personnel were not present when the gate was opened. Thousands of people waiting for hours rushed to collect the tokens,” a survivor said. Another devotee at Padmavati Park criticised the token distribution process: “This tragedy could have been avoided had the system followed after the Covid years been in place.”
Vaikuntha Dwara Sarva Darshan is a major event for devotees, offering a special darshan believed to grant a glimpse of the divine gates of heaven (Vaikuntha). The event draws lakhs of devotees, particularly during Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival, when crowds can peak at over 2-3 lakh. TTD had planned to distribute tokens through 94 counters across nine centres for Vaikuntha Dwara Sarva Darshan, scheduled for Jan 10, 11 and 12. However, the sudden influx of devotees overwhelmed the system.
Andhra CM Naidu expressed shock over the tragedy and said he was in constant communication with district and TTD officials. He had instructed senior officials to visit the site and ensure the injured receive the best care.