AI Meets Almighty: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Pushes Digital Reforms To Ease Persistent Pilgrimage Queues

Last Updated:November 06, 2025, 05:58 IST

TTD is collaborating with major technology firms, including giants like TCS, Jio, Amazon, and Google, to build customised tech platforms

Beyond queue management, the integration of AI and facial recognition technology is intended to verify genuine devotees, prevent fraud and black-marketing of darshan tickets, and quickly locate missing persons. Representational image

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is embarking on a massive digital overhaul, with Chairman BR Naidu announcing that his second year in office will be fundamentally centred on implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) solutions to revolutionise the devotee experience at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple. The core objective is ambitious: to drastically shorten the notorious long queues, minimise physical discomfort, and ensure a seamless, spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for the millions who visit the sacred hill shrine annually.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Naidu stated that the TTD is collaborating with major technology firms, including giants like TCS, Jio, Amazon, and Google, to build customised tech platforms. This push is aimed at making long queue lines “a thing of the past". The TTD’s strategy focuses on utilising advanced digital tools for real-time crowd management and predictive analytics across the entire pilgrim journey—from initial booking to darshan, accommodation, and annaprasadam (free food) distribution.

A key component of this technological shift is the newly established AI-Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC) at the Vaikuntam Queue Complex-I. Described as the country’s first AI-powered pilgrim management hub, the ICCC utilises over 6,000 AI-enabled cameras and high-performance computers. This system is designed to process millions of data points daily, providing TTD officials with real-time crowd prediction, 3D visualisation of congestion, and faster clearance of queues. The goal is to reduce the waiting time for Sarva Darshan (free darshan) significantly, moving towards a goal of providing darshan within one to two hours.

Beyond queue management, the integration of AI and facial recognition technology is intended to verify genuine devotees, prevent fraud and black-marketing of darshan tickets, and quickly locate missing persons, thereby enhancing the overall security of the premises. Naidu emphasised that this move is part of a larger plan to safeguard the temple’s sanctity and transparency, citing initiatives from his first year, which included enhancing annaprasadam quality, streamlining procurement, and cracking down on corruption.

By embracing these cutting-edge digital reforms, the TTD is looking to balance the preservation of ancient spiritual traditions with the efficiency of modern technology, ensuring its service to Lord Venkateswara flourishes globally.

Pathikrit Sen Gupta

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via ...Read More

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via ...

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