​Safety and piety: On safety and religious pilgrimage sites

Despite the hundreds of thousands who throng the Tirumala temple in Tirupati every year for the Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations, stampedes at the world-renowned hill temple have been rare. However, the tragic incident on January 8, 2025 underscores the need to rethink crowd management strategies at religious pilgrimage sites. As an editorial in this daily on December 27, 2024, noted, India has the highest number of religious stampedes globally. According to National Crime Records Bureau data, between 1996 and 2022, over 3,000 lives were lost in stampedes at religious events nationwide. This statistic starkly highlights the need for systemic changes in the way large-scale gatherings are organised and managed. The Tirupati stampede, which resulted in six devotees passing away and injuries to over 40 others, was despite the extensive arrangements by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the Andhra Pradesh government. Elaborate crowd control mechanisms, such as a well-dispersed token distribution strategy and the deployment of over 3,000 police personnel and other staff and volunteers were in place for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshan. Nonetheless, what appears to be miscommunication at one of the centres in the city to handle a surge in devotees at a token distribution centre, seems to have triggered chaos and panic. The probe that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced would shed more light on where the lapse occurred. The tragedy unfolded just weeks after another stampede-like situation in Hyderabad. While the TTD has been making commendable efforts over the years to streamline operations — online booking systems and additional security personnel during peak periods — the scale and the spontaneity of human behaviour at such events demand innovative solutions.

One such idea could involve prioritising pilgrims who have never visited Tirupati over repeat visitors, thereby ensuring a more equitable darshan. VIP darshans too need a rethink. A robust database and a roster system could help regulate devotee flow and ensure fairness. Additionally, there is a need to consider the ecological impact on the Tirumala Hills, which are a part of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve. Growing anthropogenic pressures stemming from deforestation, urbanisation, and massive footfalls pose a significant threat to its biodiversity. Balancing the human need to connect with the divine with the imperative to preserve nature requires innovative and sustainable approaches. These could include capping the number of pilgrims every day, promoting virtual darshan experiences, and enforcing stricter conservation policies. A collaborative effort between religious and government authorities, environmental experts, and the public is essential to create a framework that prioritises safety, accessibility, and ecological preservation.