Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​Safety and piety: On safety and religious pilgrimage sites

​Safety and piety: On safety and religious pilgrimage sites

A sense of fairness must drive the capping of visitors to religious sites

Despite the hundreds of thousands who throng (भीड़) the Tirumala temple in Tirupati every year for the Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations, stampedes (भगदड़) at the world-renowned hill temple have been rare. However, the tragic incident on January 8, 2025 underscores the need to rethink crowd management strategies at religious pilgrimage sites. As an editorial in this daily on December 27, 2024, noted, India has the highest number of religious stampedes globally. According to National Crime Records Bureau data, between 1996 and 2022, over 3,000 lives were lost in stampedes at religious events nationwide. This statistic starkly (स्पष्ट रूप से, कठोरता से) highlights the need for systemic changes in the way large-scale gatherings (सभा) are organised and managed. The Tirupati stampede, which resulted in six devotees passing away and injuries to over 40 others, was despite the extensive (व्यापक, विस्तृत) arrangements by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the Andhra Pradesh government. Elaborate crowd control mechanisms, such as a well-dispersed token distribution strategy and the deployment of over 3,000 police personnel and other staff and volunteers were in place for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshan. Nonetheless, what appears to be miscommunication at one of the centres in the city to handle a surge (A sudden and powerful forward movement) in devotees at a token distribution centre, seems to have triggered chaos and panic. The probe that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced would shed more light on where the lapse (चूक, त्रुटि) occurred. The tragedy unfolded just weeks after another stampede-like situation in Hyderabad. While the TTD has been making commendable (प्रशंसनीय, सराहनीय) efforts over the years to streamline operations — online booking systems and additional security personnel during peak periods — the scale and the spontaneity (सहजता, आकस्मिकता) of human behaviour at such events demand innovative solutions.

One such idea could involve prioritising pilgrims who have never visited Tirupati over repeat visitors, thereby ensuring a more equitable darshan. VIP darshans too need a rethink. A robust database and a roster system could help regulate devotee flow and ensure fairness. Additionally, there is a need to consider the ecological impact on the Tirumala Hills, which are a part of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve. Growing anthropogenic pressures stemming from deforestation, urbanisation, and massive footfalls pose a significant threat to its biodiversity. Balancing the human need to connect with the divine with the imperative (अनिवार्य, आवश्यक) to preserve nature requires innovative and sustainable approaches. These could include capping the number of pilgrims every day, promoting virtual darshan experiences, and enforcing stricter conservation policies. A collaborative effort between religious and government authorities, environmental experts, and the public is essential to create a framework that prioritises safety, accessibility, and ecological preservation.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Piety (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - धार्मिकता
English Meaning - Devotion and reverence to God or religion.

2.Throng (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - भीड़
English Meaning - A large, densely packed crowd of people or animals.

3.Stampede (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - भगदड़
English Meaning - A sudden rush of a crowd, usually due to fear or excitement.

4.Starkly (Adverb)

Hindi Meaning - स्पष्ट रूप से, कठोरता से
English Meaning - In a severe or strikingly plain manner.

5.Gathering (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - सभा
English Meaning - An assembly or meeting of people.

6.Extensive (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - व्यापक, विस्तृत
English Meaning - Covering a large area or scope.

7.Lapse (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - चूक, त्रुटि
English Meaning - A temporary failure or error in judgment or behavior.

8.Commendable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - प्रशंसनीय, सराहनीय
English Meaning - Deserving praise or admiration.

9.Spontaneity (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - सहजता, आकस्मिकता
English Meaning - The quality of being natural and impulsive without premeditation.

10.Imperative (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अनिवार्य, आवश्यक
English Meaning - Of vital importance or absolutely necessary.

11.Disperse (Verb)

English Meaning - To scatter or spread over a wide area.

12.Surge (Noun)

English Meaning - A sudden and powerful forward movement.