Temples are becoming overwhelmingly crowded on special days and during festivals. Be it the overwhelming crowds at Srikalahasti or Srisailam during Shivaratri, the earlier rush at the Kasibugga temple, or the continuous heavy footfall at Tirumala and Simhachalam, the issue needs to be clearly highlighted and addressed.
The main reason is the excessive hype around every auspicious date on social media. Many people believe that their presence in a temple on that particular day will bless them with all boons and wash away their sins.
In the middle of this, VIP culture has turned into another major problem. Influential visitors arrive with recommendations, while common devotees are made to wait in long queues.
A temple visit is meant to give peace of mind and a positive spiritual experience. Temples also stand as symbols of great architecture, civilisation and the rich tradition of Sthalapuranas. But how many devotees today have the time or patience or situation to observe the temple structure or understand its history?
Everything has become hype driven and desire oriented. The heavy rush of devotees often leads to unrest and, in some cases, even stampedes.
This issue needs a balanced solution from all sides. Devotees must understand the true meaning of devotion. Temple authorities should improve arrangements so that visitors can have a calm and orderly darshan.
Social media platforms also need to act responsibly and avoid creating unnecessary pressure around every festival day.
