Tirumala devasthanams warns against agents offering fake Srivari darshan

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has issued a stern warning to devotees against falling prey to middlemen and brokers offering illicit promises of special Srivari Darshan, Arjitha Sevas, or accommodation at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple.

TTD Chairman B R Naidu highlighted that certain brokers have been misleading devotees by posing as officials or claiming influential positions, collecting large sums of money under the pretense of guaranteeing priority darshan or premium accommodation. “We appeal to all devotees not to trust middlemen or brokers for any temple-related services,” Naidu said.

The TTD emphasized that devotees should book Darshan, Sevas, and accommodation only through official channels, namely the TTD website or the TTD Devasthanams mobile application, using their Aadhaar card. A toll-free helpline is available for devotees seeking authentic information or guidance.

While the temple body has identified many of these fraudulent brokers and initiated legal action, middlemen continue to operate, exploiting the gap between overwhelming demand and the limited availability of official services. Over the years, TTD Vigilance officials have investigated numerous complaints, filed FIRs, and in some cases arrested agents involved in cheating devotees.

Despite these enforcement efforts, some challenges persist. The sheer volume of devotees visiting Tirumala daily makes it difficult to completely eliminate illegal activity. Occasional reports allege attempts at political influence or pressure on enforcement, though no verifiable evidence has emerged of systemic negligence by the Vigilance team.

Naidu also called on devotees to actively report middlemen or any suspicious activity to TTD Vigilance officials, emphasizing collective responsibility in safeguarding the sanctity and security of Tirumala.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams manages one of the world’s richest Hindu shrines, the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, which draws millions of devotees annually. The temple administration continues to strengthen its monitoring and booking systems to ensure transparent and fair access to services, while cracking down on illegal agents exploiting devotees’ faith.