TIRUPATI: Devotees are upset as they are unable to touch the Srivari footprints 4 km from Tirumala.

The TTD had closed the footprints with a frame to protect them, as it was getting damaged due to lakhs of pilgrims touching it daily. The frame is removed only for VVIPs. This has upset some devotees who feel that they are being discriminated against.

“I am from Vizag; I come here once in four years. When we visited last time I could touch the footprints of the Lord. But, I am not at all satisfied this time as the footprints are covered with a frame. The TTD should do something about this. With the Mahalaghu Darshan in Tirumala, I was unable to see the deity clearly. So I thought of touching the footprints but could not do it,” said Mr K. Sankara Chary.

“Securing the footprints with a frame is a bad idea. How can they allow only VVIPs to touch the footprints, and not the ordinary person? We are standing in a queue while others are allowed to go past. This is most unfair,” said Ms M. Prasanthi, a devotee from Guntur.

A TTD official on condition of anonymity said, “A devotee had damaged those footprints by breaking a coconut on it some years back. Many other incidents are reported near the footprints. We are trying our best to prevent such incidents. The devotees have to wait in the queue for hours as everyone wants to touch their forehead to the footprints and say a prayer. No we don’t plan to keep the area open. It will be opened only for VVIPs.”