Thousands of devotees would receive better services thanks to this move, according to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the trust that oversees the temple. According to the announcement, the face - recognition technology will undergo testing first at Vaikuntham 2 and AMS systems on 1st March 2023.

The new technology, according to TTD, will be used to stop a devotee from obtaining more tokens. Along with this it also helps to prevent a person from obtaining extra tokens at the Sarva Darshan Complex and at the Caution Deposit refund counters."

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) have made the decision to use face recognition technology (FRT) at Srivari Sarvadarshanam for the distribution of Laddu Prasadam, room allocation, and refund payments counter starting on March 1, 2023, on an experimental basis.

By increasing transparency in the procedures for allocating accommodations and tokenless darshan, FRT aims to better serve the large number of pilgrims who go to other countries.

Authorities from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) had earlier commissioned an investigation into the purported drone video of the temple that had been going viral on social media. TTD, which oversees the operations of the Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, reportedly took note of the video posted by a guy from Hyderabad.

The usage of the drone camera has been all but eliminated by TTD officials. They suspect that still photography may have been used to capture the video. Additionally, it's possible that Google was used to retrieve the footage. 

"It is false to claim that a video of the Tirumala Temple that is becoming viral on social media was shot with a drone. But it will be delivered to the forensic lab for confirmation, "TTD Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (CVSO) Narasimha Kishore said.

According to him, the entire Tirumala is protected by high-tech security measures, making it impossible to record video with a drone. Drones and aircraft are not permitted to fly over the hill shrine in accordance with Agama Shastra regulations. According to reports, a man from Hyderabad published the contested video to his Instagram account in November of last year. 

But over the past few days, it has gained popularity, causing the TTD authorities to take notice and respond. The video has been removed from Instagram as a result of this development.

How to Travel to Tirupati or Tirumala for a Visit

Pick the one that best suits your pilgrim's travel requirements from the options listed below.

Air travel/flight is very pricey for family travel requirements.

By Train - Long-distance travel is difficult and not hygienic.

Buses are uncomfortable for long distance travel, and the scheduling and weather are unsuitable for large families.

Using Taxis/Cabs: Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan is taking place in Tirumala in the meantime. 

From January 2 to January 11, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, a 10-day celebration, is observed. 

Every day, more than 50,000 pilgrims go to the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. As of December 23, 2022, 62,055 pilgrims had come, according to TTD.

How Do I Purchase Tickets for Tirupati Special Darshan Online?

Visit the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam website at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in.

On the Home Page, pick "Online Booking," and then click "TTD Darshan Booking Online."

You must enter your email address and password to create an account before selecting "Submit."

After that, complete the online TTD ticket booking form by entering the necessary information and supporting paperwork.

You can use online payment methods like a credit card, debit card, or net banking to make purchases.

After making payment, you can obtain a 300 TTD ticket from the TTD website or receive it via email.