Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Expands Smart Footwear Management System
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is embarking on a significant expansion of its innovative smart footwear tracking system at the sacred Tirumala temple complex. This decision follows an exceptionally successful six-month pilot project that has revolutionized how millions of devotees manage their footwear during their pilgrimage.
Addressing a Decades-Old Pilgrimage Challenge
Tirumala, which attracts an astonishing over 2.5 crore devotees annually, has historically faced substantial challenges in managing the millions of pairs of footwear deposited by visitors. Before entering the temple's queue lines or the four mada streets that encircle the sanctum, devotees must remove their footwear as per strict temple regulations.
The sheer scale of this operation created persistent problems. With entry and exit routes to the temple being far apart and complex, devotees frequently forgot the exact counter where they had left their footwear. This logistical nightmare was compounded by instances of footwear getting accidentally swapped between pilgrims, leading to widespread confusion and frustration among visitors.
Technological Solution to Pilgrimage Management
Taking serious note of this decades-old issue, TTD additional executive officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdary spearheaded a comprehensive initiative. He conducted a series of strategic meetings with TTD officials and external technology experts to develop an effective, modern solution to this persistent problem.
The collaborative effort resulted in the launch of a QR code-based smart footwear tracking and management system, implemented for the first time at Tirumala. This innovative system was introduced with support from Coromandel International Limited during the eve of the Srivari annual Brahmotsavams in September 2025.
Remarkable Success of the Pilot Project
Initially launched as a pilot project at high-pilgrimage congregation points, the smart footwear tracking system has demonstrated extraordinary effectiveness. Over the past six months, TTD has successfully managed the deposit and delivery of 8.45 lakh pilgrim footwear through this technological solution.
"Since the launch of this new initiative, devotees can seamlessly deposit their footwear, which is safely stored at the TTD's footwear deposit counters," explained Chowdary. "With the help of the QR code, devotees can easily reach the footwear counters and retrieve their footwear without going through any chaos like in the past."
System Expansion Across Tirumala
Encouraged by overwhelmingly positive feedback from devotees and the demonstrated operational success, the Tirupati trust has now made the strategic decision to expand the smart footwear tracking system. The technology will be implemented at all high-pilgrim-congregation points across the entire Tirumala complex.
This expansion represents a significant advancement in pilgrimage management, leveraging technology to enhance the devotional experience for millions of visitors. The system not only streamlines operations but also provides devotees with greater peace of mind during their spiritual journey, eliminating previous uncertainties about footwear retrieval.
The implementation of this comprehensive tracking solution marks a new era in temple management, combining traditional spiritual practices with modern technological innovation to serve the ever-growing number of pilgrims visiting one of India's most sacred sites.
