Bhavani Deeksha Viramana: Ticket darshan irks devotees in Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: Bhavani devotees are unhappy over the temple authorities’ decision to continue the ticket darshan system during the Bhavani Deeksha Viramana scheduled to start from Thursday.
Temple authorities usually provide free darshan during Bhavani Deeksha as lakhs of devotees come for darshan in a short span of five days. But the temple officials have decided to continue the sale of 100, 300 and 500 ticket darshan this year, which is drawing flak.
“A majority of Bhavani devotees come from remote areas and they are from economically weaker backgrounds. They walk all the way and perform the 8km-long Giri Pradakshina before heading for darshan. Temple authorities are indirectly insisting them to buy tickets for darshan by offering quick darshan. The devotees have to wait for long hours and hence it is not fair,” said K Prasad Guru Bhavani.
Devotees are also unhappy as only three queue lines were erected for free darshan. The remaining three are for ticket darshan.
“Low priority is given to the free darshan queue lines. Temple authorities are much focused on revenues and are creating a feeling that devotees with tickets will get quick darshan. We are unhappy over this,” said Sambhani Rambabu, a Bhavani devotee who visited the temple from Vizianagaram.
Temple authorities clarified that all devotees will be given priority in darshan and ticket darshan is only to regulate the crowds.