The Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple has recorded a significant surge in devotee footfall and overall operations during 2025–26, marking a year of notable growth driven by technology adoption, improved management practices, and enhanced transparency by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
According to official data, the average number of devotees visiting the temple daily increased to 73,000 in 2025–26, up from around 70,000 in the previous two years, registering a growth of 4.57 per cent. The rise was particularly evident on weekends, with June 2025 witnessing between 90,000 and 95,000 devotees on Saturdays alone. During the auspicious occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi, an additional 1.4 lakh devotees had darshan over a 10-day period compared to the previous year.
Officials attributed the improved crowd management to the deployment of an AI-integrated command and control centre, which enabled real-time monitoring of queue congestion and waiting times. This dynamic decision-making system ensured smoother movement of devotees and allowed more people to complete darshan efficiently. Strict adherence to temple schedules, with no delays in daily rituals or ‘Break Darshan’ slots, further enhanced the overall experience.
To accommodate the growing influx, sanitation measures were significantly upgraded, with mechanised systems and a workforce of around 2,000 personnel deployed to maintain cleanliness across the premises.
A major highlight of the year was the surge in Hundi collections. Traditionally exceeding Rs 120 crore only during peak months like July and August, the temple recorded over Rs 120 crore in donations for six consecutive months in 2025–26. Overall, Hundi revenue crossed Rs 1,420 crore during the year, reflecting increased devotee participation.
In a landmark reform, TTD successfully eliminated the long-standing middleman system in accommodation allocation. Previously, rooms were often allotted without linkage to darshan bookings, leading to black-market practices. With the introduction of a mandatory darshan ticket requirement for room allotment — both online and offline — transparency has improved significantly. As a result, accommodation revenue rose from Rs 133 crore in 2024–25 to Rs 141 crore in 2025–26.
The temple administration has also modernised the preparation of the famed Srivari Laddu Prasadam. The use of AI technology and automated machinery for grading raw materials has enhanced both quality and consistency, according to officials and devotees alike. Production has been scaled up to meet rising demand, with laddu sales increasing from 12.49 crore in 2024–25 to 13.95 crore in 2025–26, marking a growth of 12.68 per cent. Eco-friendly packaging solutions, including jute and disposable bags supported by the Food Corporation of India, have also been introduced, while UPI payment facilities are expected to be rolled out soon.
Parallel to the rise in footfall, services at the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam Complex have been expanded significantly. The number of devotees receiving free meals has seen a steady increase— from an average of 1.87 lakh per day in 2023–24 to 2.21 lakh in 2024–25, reaching as high as 2.85 lakh in 2025–26.
With sustained growth across darshan, revenue, prasadam distribution, and welfare services, the temple administration’s focus on technology-driven governance and devotee-centric reforms appears to have set a new benchmark in managing one of India’s busiest pilgrimage sites.
Also read: TTD approves gold-plated armour for Mumbai Venkateswara Temple
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