The proposal of linking donations to the VIP break darshan, which till yesterday was in a fluid state, is taking a concrete shape amid speculations that the government is likely to pronounce the much-awaited TTD board in a day or two.

Indications are rife that the TTD has resolved to peg the cost of each VIP darshan ticket at ₹20,000 which devotees can avail without any kind of recommendation from any VIP.

Highly informed sources have confirmed that a counter will be exclusively set up for the issue of VIP tickets and devotees will be at free to avail any number of tickets of their choice by tendering the cost.

It will be an open-to-all facility and no kind of recommendation will be entertained in the process.

Devotees purchasing the VIP tickets across the counters will be extended all courtesies which include priority in the darshan, accommodation and laddus.

They will be allowed ahead of the normal VIPs and will be permitted to have the darshan of the presiding deity from at the closest quarters (from Kulasekhara alwar padi) inside the sanctum sanctorum besides being privileged with a ‘harathi’ on par with protocol dignitaries.

Main aim

The main intention behind the proposal is to mobilise required funds to its newly floated Sri Venkateswara Alaya Nirmana (SRIVANI) trust under which the TTD desires to take up construction of temples of Lord Venkateswara at all important cities and towns across the country.

The TTD is confident that the new proposal, if implemented in its true letter and spirit, is sure to check the rampant middlemen system from atop the sacred town and usher in more transparency in the issue of darshan tickets.