Thu Jan 16 19:08:54 UTC 2025: ## Tirupati Stampede Claims Six Lives Amidst Vaikunta Ekadasi Darshan Rush

**TIRUPATI, Andhra Pradesh (January 17, 2025)** – A tragic stampede at Padmavati Park in Tirupati on January 8 resulted in the deaths of six pilgrims, casting a shadow over the annual Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The incident occurred as thousands of devotees waited to receive darshan tokens for entry to the temple.

The stampede unfolded around 8:25 p.m. near a token distribution center set up at Rama Naidu Municipal Corporation High School. Devotees, many of whom had arrived a day early, were reportedly misled by auto-rickshaw drivers who claimed this center would have smaller crowds. The situation escalated when a police announcement, intended to clear a path for a medical emergency, was misinterpreted by the anxious crowd. A surge forward resulted in the deadly crush.

Victims included S. Lavanya (38), K. Shanti (33), G. Rajani (47), B. Naidu Babu (55), V. Nirmala (53), and Malliga (50), hailing from various parts of India. Heartbreaking accounts emerged from grieving family members, highlighting the devastating loss and the pilgrims’ dashed hopes for a sacred darshan.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu responded swiftly, ordering a judicial probe and suspending several officials, including the Deputy Superintendent of Police and the TTD’s Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshanasala Director. The Chief Minister cited a lack of coordination between the police and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials in managing the crowd. The TTD Executive Officer, J. Syamala Rao, attributed the incident to the sudden opening of the park gate without prior announcement, failing to gauge the public pressure.

Questions remain regarding the responsibility for the incident, which occurred in a public park outside the direct purview of the TTD. Concerns have also been raised about the effectiveness of the “No token – No darshan” policy, which is believed to have exacerbated the rush. The incident marks the second major stampede in Tirupati’s history, prompting a renewed focus on crowd management and safety protocols for future religious events.

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