Many pilgrims are visiting the Tirumala temple today and there are two ways to do that: either visit the temple without booking tickets or book a ticket in advance. Booking Tirumala Darshan tickets online and in advance is one of the finest ways to have a perfect darshan. All that is required is a visit to the temple’s official website where visitors can make online ticket reservations. All devotees have the option of reserving seats in a variety of darshans.

As a result, special darshan dates have been set aside for July and August. The cost of a pilgrim ticket is Rs 300, and a single laddu is provided free of cost. The concept of special entry darshan, also known as seeghra darshanam, was launched on September 21, 2009 to allow travellers to enjoy a quick darshan. On their website, TTD has said bookings should be made only through their official website https://tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in/. According to the website, devotees can book their tickets through the TTD official mobile app TT Devasthanams as well.

How to make an online reservation for special entry darshan?

• Log on to the temple’s official website.
• Enter your mobile number, then enter your OTP which you get on the mobile.
• Your calendar will now be displayed, allowing you to chose the dates you desire.
• The calendar displays colour coded availability. Green denotes availability, red denotes quota full, blue denotes quota not released, and white denotes slot not available. Yellow denotes fast filling.
• The spaces will then be chosen, and you will get to select the date.
•  Select the number of individuals from the drop down menu.
• Make a list of how many laddus you need.
• You can also make hundi offerings if you want. Please keep in mind that the offerings are accepted in INR.
•  After filing out all the necessary paperwork, click the continue button.
• Enter every detail such as age, name, gender, photo ID proof, and ID card.
• Pilgrims can reserve special entry darshan tickets for the next day, three hours before the darshan slot.

Things to be kept in mind during darshan

1. To gain access to the terminal, you should have some sort of identity proof.
2. Devotees are not allowed to enter the temple premises without tickets
3. All reservations are final, with no postponement, cancellation, advancement or refund permitted.
4. Children under the age of 12 must provide evidence of age to gain free admission.

December 22 marks the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh guru. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh founded the Sikh warrior community called Khalsa. He is also known for introducing the Five Ks- Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (a steel bracelet), Kanga (a wooden comb), Kaccha – also spelt, Kachh, Kachera (cotton underwear), Kirpan (steel sword).

Even though he was born on 22nd December, Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is observed in January by Sikhs across the world.

Why Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated on January 20 and not on December 22?

The day is dedicated to the great warrior, poet, philosopher, and spiritual leader. According to the Georgian calendar, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born on December 22, 1666, but his birth anniversary is based on the lunar calendar. That’s why Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated in January. This year marks the 355th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Who was Guru Gobind Singh Ji?

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. When Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was merely nine years of age, his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was killed by Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam, becoming the tenth and final human Sikh Guru. Following his father’s death, Guru Gobind Ji emerged as the leader and protection of the Sikhs and continued to struggle against the Mughals’ atrocities against his community. His four sons died during his lifetime – two in battle, two executed by the Mughal army.

Read Also: Guru Gobind Singh birth anniversary: Wishes, quotes, and messages to share with your friends and families

Notable contributions of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Sikhism

• He is the founder of the Sikh warrior community Khalsa
• He introduced Five Ks, the five articles that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times.
• He is credited with creating the Dasam Granth, a collection of hymns that are used in Sikh prayers and Khalsa rituals.
• He is also recognised for finalising and enshrining the Guru Granth Sahib as the primary scripture and immortal Guru of Sikhism.

Amid vibrant celebrations of Durga Puja across Bangladesh, a string of attacks on temples and Durga Puja pandals occurred in Comilla district, Durga Puja is considered as the biggest Hindu religious festival in Bangladesh. As per reports, a temple in Comilla saw violent clashes on Tuesday between the Muslim and Hindu community, after the rumours of disrespecting the Holy Quran spread through social media.

Authorities have taken serious note of the incidents and deployed paramilitary forces to act against the perpetrators. If reports are to be believed, a temple in Comilla became the flashpoint on Tuesday night for the allegedly disrespecting the Quran.

According to local officials, some miscreants planted a copy of the Holy Quran at the feet of a Hindu God and took some pictures of it and then ran away. Within a few hours, miscreants shared the photos on social media and used it like propaganda to mislead both Hindu and Muslim communities. This event occurred at the Durga pantheon in Nanuyar Dighir Par Temple on Tuesday night.

Reacting to this, angry mobs vandalised puja pandals, idols and, temples at many places, which led to communal violence in Comilla.

To control the situation, ruling party Awami Leauge workers along with the local police came into action and cordoned off the Durga Puja pandals and temples. Later in the day, Border Guard Bangladesh personnel were deployed in Comilla and other sensitive areas by Bangladesh government to prevent any rising communal tensions.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh issued an emergency notice, which said, that government have come across news that the religious text had been disrespected in Comilla. Ministry urged public not to take law into their own hands and reiterated calls to maintain peace and harmony.

The Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council also appealed for calm in a statement released on Twitter, “We would like to say to our Muslim brothers, please do not believe the rumours. We respect the Quran. There is no need for the Quran in Durga Puja. This is someone conspiring to create a riot. There will be a fair investigation. Please don’t attack any more Hindu temples.”