Despite the record footfall, waiting time for darshan was limited to 1.5 to four hours, with no reports of crowding, overcrowding or chaos. | Photo credit: Representative image
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has successfully deployed an AI-driven command and control center to dramatically reduce waiting time for devotees, even amid record footfall during the recent Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebrations.
Launched on an experimental basis, the initiative has received widespread acclaim from pilgrims and administrators alike, prompting plans to expand it permanently across all streams of darshan.
Despite the rush of devotees to the hill shrine, the TTD ensured a smooth and orderly darshan, replacing the traditionally long and arduous wait.
On the first day of Vaikuntha Ekadasi (December 30, 2025) alone, over 67,000 devotees had darshan of Lord Venkateswara without any problem, followed by 70,000 on the following Dwadasi and 65,000 devotees on January 1.
Incredibly, the waiting time for darshan was reduced to 1.5 to four hours, with no reports of stampede, overcrowding, protests, sloganeering, door-smashing or chaos like the previous year.
At the heart of this transformation is the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) set up at Vaikuntham Queue Complex-1.
Equipped with more than 300 CCTV cameras and 42 facial recognition cameras, the system provides real-time 3D visualization of crowd movement across the temple and queue complexes.
Using AI-powered analysis, the system automatically signals congestion – areas with more than 500 devotees turn red on the dashboard, alerting officials immediately, while green and yellow zones indicate manageable or smooth flow.
This real-time intelligence allowed for rapid repositioning of staff and dynamic rerouting of queues, preventing bottlenecks from escalating.
The AI platform worked in tandem with the pre-booked, timed darshan system, ensuring seamless coordination from entry to exit.
Speaking to The Hindu, TTD Additional Managing Director Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, the brain behind the initiative, said the success of the initiative during Vaikuntha Ekadasi has encouraged the temple administration to extend the same AI-powered system to Sarva Darshan devotees from January 2.
There are also plans to deploy similar technology on laddu counters and other high-impact areas.
The ICCC was formally inaugurated during the 2025 Brahmotsavams by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu as part of a broader effort to modernize temple management without compromising sanctity.
A successful experiment, Tirumala has undoubtedly become a model of how ancient pilgrimage centers can use state-of-the-art technology to enhance the devotee’s experience – without diluting the spiritual essence.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 19:59 IST
