Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, 2025–26 – The seven‑hills of Tirumala have entered a new era of record‑breaking growth in devotee footfall, hundi‑income, prasadam distribution, and accommodation management, turning the shrine into a model of “Kaliyuga Vaikuntham” (modern‑age Vaikuntham).
Rising devotee numbers, better queues
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Daily darshan records:
For the past two years, about 70,000 devotees per day used to visit Tirumala for darshan. In 2025–26, that figure climbed to an average of 73,000 per day, marking 4.57% year‑on‑year growth in pilgrim traffic. -
Peak‑festival performance:
During special festivals like Vaikunta Ekadashi, the administration provided darshan to an additional 1.4 lakh devotees over a 10‑day stretch compared to earlier years, despite massive crowds. -
AI‑driven crowd control:
The AI‑integrated Command and Control Centre monitors queues in real time and adjusts compartment‑operations dynamically, which has sharply cut down waiting times for common devotees and prevented long‑hour grid‑locks at the Q‑complexes.
Hundi income enters a new league
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Unprecedented monthly collection:
In the past, hundi income crossed ₹120 crore only in 1–2 peak months (like Vaikunta Ekadashi period). In 2025–26, this level was sustained for six straight months, with each month collecting over ₹120 crore in cash‑canukalu. -
Annual record:
Over the full financial year, hundi offerings have exceeded ₹1,420 crore, setting a new all‑time high and showing that devotees’ trust and generosity have surged along with growth in pilgrim numbers.
End of “dalali” system, transparent accommodation
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Breaking the middle‑man chain:
For years, dalali/vasati‑brokerage networks thrived in Tirumala by hoarding rooms and reselling them at black‑market prices. TTD has now enforced a strict “darshan first, room next” rule both online and offline, ensuring that only those with confirmed darshan tokens/get in to accommodation bookings. -
Impact on devotees and revenue:
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Rooms have become easier and fairer to access for ordinary pilgrims.
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Accommodation revenue has grown from about ₹133 crore to ₹141 crore, proving that transparency boosts both crowd‑management and temple income.
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AI‑assisted laddu, better taste, higher sales
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Prasadam quality revolution:
TTD has introduced AI‑based grading for ghee and other raw materials used in Srivari laddu preparation, which has improved consistency and taste, as widely appreciated by devotees. -
Sales and future plans:
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In 2024–25, about 12.49 crore laddus were sold.
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In 2025–26, that climbed to 13.95 crore laddus, around 12.68% growth.
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TTD plans to introduce UPI payments at laddu counters soon, making transactions faster and more convenient for pilgrims.
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Annaprasad acts as “Akshaya Patra”
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Growing food‑distribution scale:
Through the Matrushri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprakscriptsannadham complex, Tirumala is feeding a record‑breaking number daily:-
In 2023–24, about 1.87 lakh devotees per day received food.
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In 2025–26, that has jumped to 2.85 lakh devotees per day, a massive 52% increase in just a couple of years.
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Why the numbers are rising
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Hikes in daily annaprasad trusts and donations allow the temple to scale up without shortage.
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As hotel options shrink and padakaya‑rich travelers seek free, assured meals, TTD’s Akshaya‑Patra‑style prasadam has become a key attraction.
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This 2025–26 chapter turns the narrative that “Tirumala is only crowded” into “Tirumala is also efficiently managed, more generous, and more accessible”, thanks to strong planning, AI integration, and devotee‑centric reforms.
