Cyclone Michuang effect: Pilgrim count at record low at Tirumala temple

TIRUPATI: The after-effects of cyclone Michuang were strongly felt at the sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala where the pilgrim footfall declined to a record low on Tuesday and Wednesday.The incessant rains, triggered by Cyclone Michuang in Tirupati since Saturday, came under control only on Tuesday after the severe cyclone made landfall near Bapatla.As Tirupati bore the maximum brunt during the cyclonic activity, cancellation of buses, trains and flights leading to the temple city from various destinations across the country, impacted the pilgrim footfall at Tirumala.According to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams official records, only 44,547 devotees worshipped at the Tirumala temple on Tuesday, which is the record lowest and almost half of the daily average pilgrim footfall.With the decline in the pilgrim rush, the Hundi collections at the Tirumala temple also declined drastically to Rs.3.25 crore on Tuesday.The pilgrim rush was so low on the hill town that there was a direct line even for the free darshan devotees right from the morning hours itself both on Tuesday and Wednesday.TTD sources felt that the pilgrim rush would gradually increase now that all the buses, trains and flight services to Tirupati have been restored on Wednesday.