Heading to Tirupati Balaji for Darshan? Read This First; Devotees Falling Victim to Fake Ticket Scams
Heading to Tirupati Balaji for Darshan? Read This First; Devotees Falling Victim to Fake Ticket Scams
TTD warns of fraudulent agents selling counterfeit darshan and accommodation tickets; strict action promised against culprits
If you’re planning to visit the sacred Tirupati Balaji temple for darshan, here’s an important update you must know. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the revered Venkateswara Swamy Temple, has issued a stern warning against agents who are duping devotees with fake darshan and accommodation tickets.
Every day, lakhs of pilgrims visit the temple. While some purchase special entry tickets worth ₹300, most devotees queue up in the general darshan lines. However, taking advantage of this religious faith and eagerness, a number of agents have reportedly been selling counterfeit tickets, promising devotees priority entry and even accommodation within the temple premises.
Tirupati Balaji Temple, situated in the Tirupati urban mandal of Andhra Pradesh, holds deep spiritual significance for millions. The temple allows two primary ways to seek darshan—general queueing or purchasing the ₹300 ticket for quicker access. Unfortunately, fraudsters have begun exploiting the special darshan system to trick pilgrims.
TTD, an independent government trust responsible for managing temple operations, finances, and services, has taken note of the rising complaints. On Friday, the temple’s Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, K.V. Muralikrishna, announced that strict legal action will be taken against those found selling or distributing fake tickets.
In a formal statement, Muralikrishna cited a complaint from March 2025 filed at the Tirumala Town Police Station by D. Sanghamitra, a medical student from Siddhartha Medical College in Vijayawada. She alleged that two individuals, Madela Deepu Babu alias Sandeep and Pawan Kumar, cheated her of ₹2.6 lakh by promising Supadham tickets, protocol darshan, and accommodation at the temple.
He added that such complaints are becoming increasingly common, with multiple reports of devotees being asked to pay large sums by agents claiming to provide confirmed bookings for darshan and stay. In response, the TTD has deployed special surveillance teams to monitor suspicious activity and verify all tickets at entry points. If any ticket is found to be fake, questioning of the ticket holder will also be initiated.
TTD has appealed to all devotees to remain cautious and not fall prey to such scams. Pilgrims are advised to book tickets only through official channels and avoid dealing with unauthorised agents.
