TTD Urges Devotees to Avoid Middlemen and Use Official Website for Darshan Bookings

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has urged devotees to only use its official website for booking darshan tickets to avoid being cheated by unscrupulous middlemen. Complaints have been received about brokers charging exorbitant fees and providing fake tickets. TTD is actively identifying fake websites and middlemen, and is taking stringent action against them.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, has issued a public appeal urging devotees to use only its official website for booking darshan tickets. This measure aims to shield them from unscrupulous middlemen who have reportedly been defrauding the public.

According to TTD, there have been numerous complaints of brokers extorting substantial sums of money from devotees under the guise of providing darshan tickets, which turn out to be fake. ''Use the official website, https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in with Aadhaar card for booking online darshan and other services,'' the TTD advised in a press release.

TTD has stressed its commitment to detecting fraudulent websites and identifying cheating middlemen. Their vigilance wing routinely scrutinizes darshan tickets to prevent unauthorized entry. Recently, officials identified four devotees from Tamil Nadu with fake tickets, who had been duped by an internet center operator in Vellore. The operator, who altered ticket numbers to make them look genuine, has been reported to authorities. Consequently, TTD warns of stringent actions against those deceiving devotees.

(With inputs from agencies.)