Gadkari was received by TTD Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chowdary and was later with theertha prasadams and a photograph of the deity following his darshan. The minister’s visit came amid increased footfall at the shrine, a key pilgrimage destination attracting millions annually.
Meanwhile, to easing pilgrimage travel, the Central Railway has announced the launch of weekly special trains connecting Shirdi in Maharashtra and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The services will run for two months, offering pilgrims an opportunity to visit both the Shri Sai Baba shrine and the Lord Venkateswara temple.
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According to the release, the Sainagar Shirdi–Tirupati Weekly Special will depart every Monday at 7:35 pm from 4 August to 9 September 2025, arriving in Tirupati early on the third day. In the return direction, trains will leave Tirupati every Sunday at 4:00 am from 3 August to 28 September 2025, reaching Shirdi the following morning.
The special trains will make halts at several stations including Kopargaon, Aurangabad, Latur Road, Secunderabad, and Gudur, among others. Each train will comprise a mix of AC, sleeper, and general coaches, with bookings having opened on 1 August.
This coordinated push to improve transport connectivity and renewed emphasis on spiritual discipline would enhance the pilgrimage experience for devotees visiting one of India’s most sacred temple towns.
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Moreover, the TTD has issued a strong advisory urging devotees to respect the spiritual sanctity of the temple premises. The temple body expressed concern over a rising trend of visitors filming social media reels — some of which were described as “indecent” and “mischievous” — in front of the sacred shrine.
“Some people have recently been filming videos (reels) performing mischievous acts in front of the Tirumala Temple and uploading them on social media,” the TTD said in a press statement. These activities, the board added, not only disturb the spiritual ambience but also offend the sentiments of devotees.
In response, the TTD has instructed its vigilance and security teams to take strict legal action against individuals caught recording objectionable content. Devotees have been urged to cooperate in preserving the sacred environment of the temple and refrain from activities that violate its religious decorum.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
