Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has issued a high-priority warning to devotees regarding the proliferation of fraudulent websites and unauthorized middlemen. The alert was triggered after a devotee from Kerala, Suresh Babu, filed a complaint with the Andhra Pradesh government. He reported being cheated by an individual who promised accommodation at the “Karnataka Pravasi Soudha” in Tirumala. Following a comprehensive investigation by the TTD Vigilance wing, officials discovered a network of fake websites using official photos of the Tirumala temple and the TTD logo to mislead pilgrims into making online payments for non-existent services.
The TTD Vigilance department noted that these malicious websites often appear prominently in Google search results, making them a significant threat to unsuspecting pilgrims. In response, TTD has filed official police complaints and initiated legal action under the Copyright Act against entities using temple imagery and TTD branding without authorization. Devotees are strictly advised to use only the official website, [అనుమానాస్పద లింక్ తీసివేయబడింది], for booking darshan slots, accommodation, and Arjitha Seva tickets. TTD has also urged the public to immediately report any suspicious phone calls or websites promising “confirmed” temple services through unofficial channels.
In a separate update, TTD announced the temporary closure of its Annaprasadam (free meal) distribution centers on March 3rd due to a lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahanam). This closure affects several major centers, including the SV Nitya Annaprasadam Complex in Tiruchanur, the employee canteen at the TTD Administrative Building in Tirupati, and various guest house canteens. However, to ensure patients and their attendants at government hospitals do not suffer, the distribution of meals at those locations will be conducted ahead of schedule before the eclipse period begins.
