Tirupati temple management slams actor Archana Gautam who alleged she was asked Rs 10,500 for 'quick' darshan

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the trust that manages the famous Tirupati temple, has refuted allegations of actor Archana Gautam who alleged that she was asked Rs 10,500 by TTD employee for a quick darshan.

"Actress Archana Gautam's attack on TTD employees is a heinous act. TTD vehemently refutes the untrue claims made by actress Archana Gautam," TTD said in a post on its official Twitter account.

According to Archana, she went to have the darshan of Lord Venkateshwar in Tirumala. After she could not do that on Monday, she approached the TTD office for some arrangements.


But, the TTD employees allegedly asked for Rs 10,500 for arranging a quick darshan. Archana said that she got furious at this and questioned the management.

She also alleged that while she was recording her selfie video, some of the staff misbehaved with her and tried to push her out of the office.


Meanwhile, TTD in a statement on Twitter said: "Uttar Pradesh based Sri Shivakant Tiwari along with Actress Ms Archana Goutham and seven others brought a letter from a Union Minister for Darshan on 30-8-2022. They registered in the Additional EO Office at Tirumala for Darshan. Later they were allotted Rs.300 tickets on this Referral letter and an SMS in this regard was delivered to the mobile number of Sri Tiwari."

"But they have not availed the darshan. Again when Sri Tiwari went to office on the next day(August 31) seeking tickets for darshan. The on duty staff informed him that as they did not avail Darshan on time, on August 30, their tickets expired."

"In the mean time, Ms Archana Goutham rushed into the office and began shouting at the staff uttering unparliamentary words against them. Sri Tiwari was also seen as a mute spectator watching the entire high drama created by his team member."

"Though the TTD staff tried to explain the rule position and pacify her, she turned deaf and even manhandled one of the on duty office staff members. At last, the Office staff have allotted them Rs.300 tickets for the second time and advised them to go for Darshan," TTD said.

"But instead of going for Darshan, the actress went to the II Town Police and lodged a false complaint against one of the on duty staff alleging that he manhandled and abused her. Following her complaint, the CI called up the TTD staff and in his enquiry it was clearly seen in the video taken by the staff that how the woman behaved in an arrogant manner using filthy words against the staff. She was also seen pushing and hitting an onduty staff member. On seeing the video proof, she left the Police Station."

TTD added, "When the lady insisted on Break Darshan, the office staff advised her to take SRIVANI Trust and go for VIP break darshan on September 1 for which she needs to pay Rs.10,500 (Rs.10,000 to SRIVANI Trust and Rs.500 for the VIP Break ticket). But the lady in the video released by her on Social Media alleged that the Additional EO Office staff have demanded her Rs.10,000 for the ticket which is absolutely false."

TTD termed the allegations as "fake and baseless" that is meant to create a fake propaganda.