Meta glasses, fake sites and drones: Tirumala temple security has many headaches

From fake websites and touts to unwelcome drones and Meta glasses, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, is fighting security battles on many fronts. The TTD is now stepping up its crackdown on all forms of cheating and security violations — from touts and corrupt staff to fake booking websites and banned gadgets.

According to officials, the TTD has lodged 30 criminal cases against touts, who they claim lure devotees with false promises of everything from “darshan” at the temple to accommodation in VIP rooms at exorbitant prices, before disappearing. Officials said the TTD has taken disciplinary action against 43 employees this year for violating the code of conduct, including cheating devotees.

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“The TTD has made it clear that uncompromising action will be taken against anyone involved in such activities,” an official said.

Another front the TTD is battling is fake websites, with authorities saying the devasthanam has identified 249 such platforms using attractive advertisements, posters, and false promises regarding “darshan” and room allotments.