Concern over TTD security as three devotees reach main entrance of Tirumala temple with footwear on

Devotees removing their footwear at the Mahadwaram before making their way into the temple, in Tirumala on Saturday.

In a shocking security lapse at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple here on Saturday, three devotees reached the main entrance of the shrine with their footwear on.

The devotees, who had reportedly purchased the Srivani tickets for darshan, made their way to the Mahadwaram, crossing two highly guarded security barriers in the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the TTD security.

It was only when the staff at the Mahadwaram intervened that the devotees left behind their footwear, after which they were allowed into the temple.

Reports also suggested that the footwear the devotees wore was akin to the cloth guest slippers generally provided in star hotels.

Meanwhile, former TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, while addressing the media, lashed out at the management and demanded the immediate dissolution of the trust board for the alleged “series of lapses” that were of late rocking the institution.