TTD Arranges VIP Break Darshan for 116-Year-Old Pilgrim After Tirumala Trek
A 116-year-old devotee who walked to Tirumala for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara was provided a VIP Break Darshan by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) after her journey gained attention on social media. The special darshan was extended not only to the elderly pilgrim, Navaneethamma, but also to her family members.
TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu shared the development on X, stating that the temple administration had arranged the special darshan after identifying the devotee and learning about her remarkable pilgrimage.
Social Media Video Led to Identification
Navaneethamma, who is over a century old, reached Tirumala on foot through the Alipiri footpath on Saturday to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. A video of her walking uphill was widely shared across social media platforms, drawing widespread attention and admiration.
Initially, several social media posts incorrectly claimed that the elderly devotee was from Karnataka. After noticing the viral posts, TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu appealed through X for anyone with information about the woman to contact TTD officials so that appropriate assistance could be provided.
Following the appeal, TTD Vigilance personnel gathered details about the pilgrim and confirmed that she was Navaneethamma, a resident of Tamil Nadu. The information was subsequently conveyed to the TTD Chairman.
VIP Break Darshan Arranged for Family
After learning about Navaneethamma's identity and pilgrimage, B.R. Naidu instructed officials to arrange a VIP Break Darshan for her and her accompanying family members.
On Monday morning, TTD officials facilitated the special darshan, enabling the family to offer prayers at the Tirumala temple.
TTD Honours Elderly Devotee
Following the darshan, TTD Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra honoured Navaneethamma at the Ranganayakula Mandapam. Vedic scholars offered Vedic blessings during the ceremony, while officials presented her with a traditional silk cloth and sacred Theertha Prasadam.
The Executive Officer also greeted the elderly devotee with respect and received her blessings, marking the occasion as a gesture of honour towards her devotion and determination.
Chairman Thanks Social Media Users and Vigilance Staff
In a subsequent post on X, B.R. Naidu expressed gratitude to everyone who helped identify Navaneethamma. He thanked social media users whose posts and responses assisted the temple administration, as well as the TTD Vigilance officials who traced the devotee and confirmed her identity.
He said helping fulfil the lifelong wish of a devotee brought happiness and satisfaction to everyone involved in the effort.
The incident has highlighted how timely coordination between the public, social media users and temple authorities enabled TTD to recognise an elderly pilgrim's extraordinary journey and facilitate a memorable darshan at one of the country's most visited pilgrimage centres.