Panic at tirupati, 60% dip in number of devotees at Brahmotsavam after local tests positive.
Surgical masks and panic have replaced laddoos at Tirupati. The famous Brahmotsavam, which is normally packed during this time of year, has seen a disturbing 60% dip in devotees after one case of H1N1 was confirmed in this pilgrim city.
DNA’s visit to Tirupati, which attracts thousands of Lord Venkateswara (or Lord Balaji) devotees from India as well as abroad, revealed that the average number of devotees visiting Tirupati daily had dropped to a dismal 75,000 from two lakh.
The swine flu has also kept the VIPs away from darshan. Daily, an average of over 1,000 VIPs and VVIPs visit the temple. But this year only three VIPs — Andhra chief minister K Rosaiah and two ministers — have visited the place during Brahmotsavam.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has cancelled Kalyanotsava and other special pujas because of the H1N1 scare.The fear is evident among the locals and visiting devotees. Almost everyone is wearing masks to ward off the infection at Tirumala (in the main gopuram atop the seven hills), where the Brahmotsavam is celebrated for nine days between September 21 and 29.
The disturbing trend of decline in devotees over the past few days is worrying temple authorities as well as the local businessmen. “We don't know why devotees are not coming in large number like last year. We hope the situation improves,” TTD chairman DK Adikeshavalu said.
“Every year, during the utsava we make business of about Rs1 lakh, but this year, due to the swine flu scare, we are not even crossing Rs20,000,” said Nayanaru Krishnaiah, who owns a shop in the area.
Even the bookings have dipped. “Every year during the utsava, we have great demand for rooms and so many are booked months in advance, but this year, the rooms are vacant,” said Pedanna, the owner of Hotel Bhima.
According to Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) officials, who run buses from Tirumala to Tirupati, there has been a major dip in travellers — it’s below 50,000 this year.
Adikeshavalu said the devotees need not fear as the temple authorities have taken precautionary measures. But TTD’s medical officer Dr Sharada says devotees are still fearful. “We have opened 9 screening centres and we’ve got enough Tamiflu tablets and kits. We have also distributed 1 lakh masks and homeopathy medicines among devotees.”
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