Inaugurated during the chief minister’s two-day visit, Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh | The new centre uses 3D and virtual-reality technology to explain temple rituals and Tirumala’s spiritual significance.
Chandrababu Naidu Opens 3D Pilgrim Centre at Tirumala
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated the Pilgrim Experience Centre at the Vaikuntham Queue Complex in Tirumala, introducing an immersive digital facility for devotees visiting the Lord Venkateswara temple.
The centre uses 3D videos and virtual-reality technology to present the daily kainkaryams, puja rituals and spiritual traditions associated with Lord Venkateswara. It also explains the religious and historical importance of Tirumala to devotees waiting for darshan.
Naidu toured the centre with Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy and Revenue Minister Anagani Satyaprasad. During his visit, the chief minister experienced a virtual-reality presentation designed to recreate the Tirumala darshan experience.
Tirumala centre presents temple rituals in 3D
The Pilgrim Experience Centre has been designed to help devotees understand rituals that may not be visible during the regular temple visit. Large digital displays present visual stories about Lord Venkateswara, Tirumala’s history and the significance of services performed inside the shrine.
The initiative combines devotional content with modern presentation tools while preserving the temple’s traditional character. Its immersive videos aim to make information about the sacred site more accessible to visitors of different ages and backgrounds.
Reports ahead of the inauguration said the centre was established in the 17th compartment of Vaikuntham Queue Complex-1 as a pilot project. The main hall can reportedly accommodate around 120 devotees and contains a large display measuring approximately 8.4 metres in length.
Pilgrim centre aims to improve waiting experience
Devotees can spend several hours inside Tirumala’s queue complexes during periods of heavy footfall. The new facility is intended to transform part of that waiting period into a devotional and educational experience.
The centre includes spaces for meditation, spiritual presentations and training activities. Visual installations inspired by Kalamkari art and the Dashavatara theme have been incorporated to create a serene atmosphere resembling Vaikuntham.
Through devotional films, Vedic recitations and stories connected to Tirumala, the facility seeks to encourage reflection and Govinda namasmarana among pilgrims before they enter the temple for darshan. TTD may eventually extend similar digital displays to more waiting compartments across the Vaikuntham Queue Complexes and Narayanagiri Gardens, according to planning reports.
Naidu experiences virtual Tirumala darshan
Naidu personally viewed the centre’s virtual-reality-based darshan presentation after inaugurating the facility. The technology provides a simulated view of the temple environment and key devotional experiences connected with Tirumala.
The digital darshan is not a replacement for physical worship at the temple. Instead, it serves as an orientation and spiritual-learning tool that allows devotees to understand the shrine’s rituals before their scheduled darshan.
The initiative reflects TTD’s broader effort to use technology for pilgrim services. In recent years, the temple administration has introduced digital systems for queue monitoring, crowd management, security and information delivery.
Brahmotsavam visit includes temple programmes
The inauguration formed part of Naidu’s two-day visit to Tirumala during the annual Brahmotsavam celebrations. He had earlier offered traditional silk garments to Lord Venkateswara on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government and participated in temple rituals.
The chief minister was also scheduled to flag off electric buses near Gogarbham Dam Circle and inaugurate the Sri Venkateswara Museum during his Tirumala programme. The Pilgrim Experience Centre is expected to become a permanent part of the pre-darshan journey, combining devotion, heritage education and digital technology for visitors to one of India’s busiest pilgrimage destinations.
