August 18, 2025

A heavy crowd of devotees flocked to the Ootlavaripalle Sri Subramanya Swami temple in Pakala mandal, Tirupati district, making it a buzzing hotspot. But the day’s nonstop drizzle poured misery on pilgrims and locals alike. This 'extended weekend' after Independence Day drew surprise visitors rushing to Tirupati. Saturday and Sunday followed one after the other, and many took an unplanned trip to the temple city. The famous Tirumala temple was packed to the brim with devotees. Meanwhile, the Tirupati railway station and the APSRTC central bus station offered no rest to the tired travelers. Pilgrim stay places like 'Srinivasam' and 'Vishnu Nivasam,' located near these stations, were jammed with vehicles coming and going. The rain made matters worse. Roads turned into slush pools filled with potholes, turning every step and wheel movement into a slow crawl. The irregular rain surprised many passengers, leaving them stuck and frustrated. With the long weekend in play, private buses heading to Hyderabad and Bengaluru were in hot demand, adding to the busy, buzzing vibe of the pilgrimage season.

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Tirupati, Pilgrims, Rain, Traffic, Weekend rush,