A stampede occurred at the Vaikunthadwar ticket counter in the Tirupati Balaji Temple complex during token distribution. Six people lost their lives in the tragedy, while over 150 devotees were injured, with five reported to be in critical condition. More than 4,000 devotees were standing in line near the counter. When they were instructed to queue up at the Bairagi Pattada Park, a rush ensued as devotees competed to secure their place in line, leading to the stampede. Amid the chaos, devotees fell over one another, creating a scene of panic and confusion. Tirupati Balaji Temple is renowned as a disciplined shrine known for its advanced arrangements, including online booking systems to manage crowds and ensure a smooth darshan experience. On the occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had announced the distribution of around 1.2 lakh free tickets, prompting devotees to rush to secure tickets for themselves and their families. With Vaikunthadwar darshan set to begin on January 10, millions of devotees from across the country have gathered in Tirupati. To prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, it is essential for all temple administrations to take necessary precautions and improve their crowd management strategies.
