As part of this mission, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched a trial of the modern food-serving conveyor system. The new technology would allow food and beverages to be delivered to the lakhs of devotees who wait hours in the long queues of Lord Venkateswara.
Tirumala is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, and often thousands of devotees come in a day, and more than a lakh people visit on weekends, holidays, and special occasions. Managing such large crowds and keeping them comfortable has always been a challenge for TTD. The new conveyor-based food distribution system will make the process quicker and more efficient.
Serving over 1 Lakh Devotees Daily
TTD has been continuously providing Annaprasadam and refreshments to devotees standing in queue lines. Currently, food distribution is carried out along a queue approximately 3.5 kilometres long, from the Octopus Building to Krishna Teja Guest House.
Every day, from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM, around 100 Srivari Sevaks work tirelessly to distribute milk, buttermilk, drinking water, upma, sambar rice, and tomato bhat to devotees. These services help pilgrims remain comfortable and energised while waiting for darshan.
However, TTD is constantly looking for technology-based solutions where efficiency can be improved, as well as volunteer work can be done more efficiently.
Trial Run at Gate 45 Near Shila Thoranam
As part of this effort, TTD has introduced a Food Serving Conveyor System on an experimental basis at Gate No. 45 near Shila Thoranam. The machine was created with the support of donors and is to transport food items and prasadam directly to devotees waiting in queues.
The conveyor allows volunteers to deliver food much faster than traditional manual methods. Srivari Sevaks stationed at the queue line receive food trays and packets through the machine and hand them over to devotees in an organised manner.
The system could help to minimise the delay and help pilgrims to catch refreshments much faster during peak crowd periods, officials said.
Rs 3.5 Lakh Technology Project
The pilot conveyor is going at a cost of Rs 3.50 lakh. TTD officials said this is part of the larger plan to modernise services in the temple and to keep the temple administration’s commitment to the welfare of the temple.
If the trial is successful, TTD will install similar conveyor systems at other important queue points in Tirumala. With this expansion, food distribution across the temple complex would be simplified, and the rest of the pilgrim experience would be improved.
Blending Technology with Devotional Services
TTD’s latest initiative demonstrates how technology can be well integrated into religious and public service activities. Through modern infrastructure and Srivari Sevaks’ efforts, the temple administration will be able to offer devotees refreshments on time and without inconvenience.
The number of pilgrims is growing every year, and the Food Serving Conveyor System could play a big role in minimising crowd growth and improving comfort for the visitors. If successful, this project can be the template for other major pilgrimage centres in India.
