Kalyana Kattas in Tirumala to get a makeover
Every year, lakhs of devotees undertake tonsure at these complexes as an expression of devotion to Lord Venkateswara. However, with most of the existing facilities built decades ago, authorities have been facing challenges in managing crowd flow, sanitation, and basic amenities. The objective is to blend modern amenities with age-old spiritual practices, making the devotees offer their hair in fulfilment of vows. Authorities felt it necessary to provide comfort and safety to pilgrims while preserving the sanctity of the ritual.
According to TTD sources, the new initiative will see a complete redesign of the KKCs by professional architects and consultants, who will be finalised after a selection process. A design competition will also be held among the empanelled firms to ensure that both functional and cultural requirements are met.
The modernisation plan envisages clean and well-ventilated complexes, comfortable waiting and seating areas, improved lighting, enhanced safety norms and a systematic layout to avoid congestion. The model design will first be implemented on a pilot basis in one complex, and later extended to others depending on its success and pilgrim feedback.
Officials revealed that the immediate steps include preparing modalities for empanelment, defining the scope of work and issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Board will take a final call on execution once the proposals are evaluated.
TTD authorities emphasised that this initiative forms part of their larger mission to upgrade amenities in Tirumala. In recent years, the temple body has invested in queue complexes, improved accommodation facilities and renewable energy projects.
With the revamp of Kalyana Kattas, TTD hopes to ensure that the age-old offering of hair continues in a setting that is both dignified and comfortable for future generations of pilgrims.
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Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Kalyana Kattas in Tirumala to get a makeover
Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to upgrade the Kalyana Katta Complexes (KKCs) in Tirumala to enhance pilgrim convenience, hygiene, and safety, while upholding the spiritual and traditional sanctity of the tonsuring practice. The move, endorsed by the TTD Board under the leadership of BR Naidu on July 22, 2025, represents a major initiative to modernise one of the most essential pilgrim amenities on the holy hills. Every year, lakhs of devotees undertake tonsure at these complexes as an expression of devotion to Lord Venkateswara. However, with most of the existing facilities built decades ago, authorities have been facing challenges in managing crowd flow, sanitation, and basic amenities. The objective is to blend modern amenities with age-old spiritual practices, making the devotees offer their hair in fulfilment of vows. Authorities felt it necessary to provide comfort and safety to pilgrims while preserving the sanctity of the ritual. According to TTD sources, the new initiative will see a complete redesign of the KKCs by professional architects and consultants, who will be finalised after a selection process. A design competition will also be held among the empanelled firms to ensure that both functional and cultural requirements are met. The modernisation plan envisages clean and well-ventilated complexes, comfortable waiting and seating areas, improved lighting, enhanced safety norms and a systematic layout to avoid congestion. The model design will first be implemented on a pilot basis in one complex, and later extended to others depending on its success and pilgrim feedback. Officials revealed that the immediate steps include preparing modalities for empanelment, defining the scope of work and issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Board will take a final call on execution once the proposals are evaluated. TTD authorities emphasised that this initiative forms part of their larger mission to upgrade amenities in Tirumala. In recent years, the temple body has invested in queue complexes, improved accommodation facilities and renewable energy projects. With the revamp of Kalyana Kattas, TTD hopes to ensure that the age-old offering of hair continues in a setting that is both dignified and comfortable for future generations of pilgrims.
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TTD takes stock of water availability in Tirumala ahead of annual Brahmotsavams
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Tirumala hills swamped with devotees over long weekend
Tirupati: Tirumala Hills have been teeming with devotees over the long weekend, with the temple town witnessing a massive surge of pilgrims from Friday in the wake of consecutive holidays. The influx began from the early hours of Friday and swelled further on Saturday and Sunday, resulting in extraordinary crowding at the shrine of Lord Venkateswara. Sarvadarshan pilgrims have been enduring waiting times of nearly 36 hours for darshan, as Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) struggled to manage the heavy turnout. The back-to-back holidays – Independence Day on Friday, followed by Krishnashtami on Saturday and the regular Sunday rush – triggered an unprecedented inflow of devotees. All 31 compartments of the Vaikuntam Queue Complex were packed to capacity, forcing the formation of external queues stretching up to three kilometres. On Saturday alone, 87,759 pilgrims had darshan, while Hundi collections touched Rs 4.16 crore. Accommodation shortages left several pilgrims resting in sheds, office premises, German sheds, beneath trees, and even on pavements. Meanwhile, the Kalyanakatta centres, where devotees offer tonsure, also saw a heavy rush, with over 42,000 pilgrims taking part on Saturday. Tirumala's temple precincts, mada streets, Akhilandam, laddu counters, Annaprasadam halls, Lepakshi and Rambhageecha junctions were all packed with devotees. To cope with the unprecedented rush, TTD arranged for drinking water, milk, tea and Annaprasadam in the queue lines, with Srivari Sevaks assisting in distribution. Officials were seen continuously monitoring queue management across the queue lines taking care of the pilgrims amenities. Demand for Srivani tickets also shot up sharply, with 3–4 times more devotees vying for the 800 tickets allotted per day. Similarly, Slotted Sarva Darshan (SSD) token counters at Bhudevi Complex, Vishnu Nivasam and Srinivasam in Tirupati witnessed long queues from early Sunday, with pilgrims waiting for hours to secure their tokens. However, it appears that from Sunday evening, the rush was gradually receding. Despite the surging numbers, TTD has appealed to devotees to cooperate with staff and volunteers, assuring that all possible arrangements are being made to ease the pilgrim experience.
