Streamlined darshan system doubles Rahu-Ketu puja footfall at Srikalahasti temple

Tirupati: Stringent reforms coupled with streamlining Darshan booking systems have helped the Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy Devasthanams to register a considerably spike in the sales of the most sought after Rahu-Ketu Sarpadosha Nivarana Pujas at the Srikalahasti temple.The Srikalahasti temple, hailed by the devotees as the Dakshina Kashi, is one of the busiest pilgrim shrines located in Tirupati district. This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Gnana Prasoonambika Devi has also emerged prominent for the Rahu-Ketu Sarpadosha Nivarana Pujas performed here.According to Srikalahasti Devasthanams EO BK Venkateswarulu, while around 2,500 devotees used to perform Rahu-Ketu pujas at the Srikalahasti temple on an average every day, the number has gone up to 4,000 devotees a day ever since the Darshan/seva tickets booking were made accessible through different online platforms.“Introduction of online ticketing system, enabling the devotees to book the Rahu-Ketu pujas and other arjitha sevas and Darshan tickets through WhatsApp and other online platforms has helped us not only to create a hassle free booking experience for the devotees but also to eradicate the rampant black marketing menace to a great extent”, BK Venkateswarulu noted.Srikalahasti TDP MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy pointed out that while 96745 and 86131 devotees took part in the Rahu-Ketu pujas in Jan and Feb this year, this number jumped to 1,14,310 in March; 1,01,389 in April, and 1,24,511 in May this year.

Sudheer Reddy noted that this significant jump in ticket sales leading to higher revenues would in turn help the Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Devasthanams to infuse more funds to create better pilgrim amenities and infrastructure to deliver the best of pilgrim services to the visiting devotees