Photo gallery: Devotees throng Tirumala Tirupati's Lord Balaji temple in holiday season

An Unexpected crowd appeared at lord Balaji's temple at Tirumala in Tamil Nadu for Tirupati darshan. The reason for the increase has been touted as several public holidays that came together. Tirumala, the abode of richest Hindu God Lord Venkateshwara, sees a throng of devotees almost every day, to take darshan of the Lord. For a common devotee, it usually takes from few hours to even a day in the queue to reach the sanctum sanctorum.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams ( TTD ) recently announced the removal of VVIP Darshan slots called L1, L2, L3. L denotes list and 1,2,3 are the segments within to classify the level of VVIPs or VIPs. L1 is considered to be the topmost in the VVIPs category. MLAs, Ministers, (any State & Centre) MPs, IAS, IPS, Judges, Industrialists, Celebrities and other VVIPs deemed fit from all sections of society by the officials of TTD get the privilege of having darshan under this category which takes just few minutes from entry point to ``Moola Virat''.

An appeal was issued to pilgrims that while VIP self arrival would be accepted, VVIP referral letters are not being accepted.

VVIP referral letters for the weekend-- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were already rejected in views of common piligrims facilities.

Only Sarvadarshanam (free darshan for common man) will commence and VIP darshan will be restricted only for special dignitaries, said TTD Special officer AV Dharma Reddy.

On Saturday, a total number of 90,623  had darshan, the number is likely to increase on Sunday.

All online, offline booking tickets, Divya Darshan (token for walk piligrims to Tirumala) quota for the weekend is already full.