The Srisailam Temple administration is preparing to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based darshan management system as part of a comprehensive ₹145 crore infrastructure project aimed at significantly reducing waiting times for devotees. Inspired by the successful crowd management model adopted at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the initiative seeks to ensure that pilgrims receive darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi within 45 minutes.
Temple authorities have confirmed that a preliminary survey for the project has already been completed, with the tendering process expected to conclude by August. Construction of the proposed queue complex is scheduled to begin shortly thereafter and is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Modern Queue Complex to Transform Pilgrim Experience
The proposed facility will feature a world-class queue management complex equipped with AI-enabled monitoring systems, advanced surveillance, streamlined entry and exit points, spacious waiting halls, and enhanced pilgrim amenities.
Temple Trust Board Chairman P. Ramesh Naidu said the project is designed to improve crowd movement while ensuring a safer and more comfortable pilgrimage experience.
Once operational, the AI system will monitor pilgrim movement in real time, helping temple authorities regulate crowd flow, reduce congestion, and optimize darshan scheduling throughout the day.
Reducing Waiting Time for Thousands of Devotees
Currently, devotees at Srisailam often wait between two and three hours for darshan.
The temple accommodates approximately:
- 6,000 devotees per hour on normal days
- 8,600 devotees per hour during festivals
Under the proposed AI-driven system, officials aim to maintain a steady throughput of around 7,000 devotees per hour while substantially reducing waiting time.
The administration also plans to modify Sparsha Darshan arrangements on high-footfall days such as Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, enabling nearly 20,000 general devotees to receive darshan between 5:30 am and 8:30 am.
Temple Executive Officer M. Srinivasa Rao emphasized that the objective is to ensure continuous movement of pilgrims, eliminating unnecessary stoppages while preserving the spiritual experience.
In addition, new Pilgrim Amenities Complexes are proposed at Dornala and Hatakeswaram to support visitors beyond the temple premises.
Tirumala's AI Success Provides the Blueprint
Srisailam's initiative closely follows the proven AI-enabled crowd management framework implemented by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
TTD currently operates an Integrated Command and Control Centre featuring:
- More than 300 CCTV cameras
- 42 facial recognition units
- AI-powered real-time crowd monitoring
- Three-dimensional visualization of pilgrim movement
- Automated congestion alerts for rapid staff deployment
During the Vaikuntha Ekadasi festival, the system successfully managed more than 67,000 devotees in a single day, maintaining darshan waiting times between 1.5 and 4 hours without major overcrowding or stampede incidents.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, after visiting Tirumala's command centre, described the system as an effective example of technology improving religious tourism through efficient crowd management and scheduling.
TTD is also working toward reducing peak waiting periods—from historically 20–30 hours to just two to three hours—by integrating surveillance, RFID tracking, and ticketing data into AI-based predictive models.
AI Becoming Essential for Temple Crowd Management
The Srisailam project reflects a broader shift across India's major pilgrimage centres, where artificial intelligence is increasingly viewed as a critical public safety and operational management tool.
With millions of pilgrims visiting prominent temples each year, especially during festivals, technology-driven crowd management has become essential for preventing overcrowding, improving emergency response, and enhancing the overall devotee experience.
By adopting Tirumala's proven framework instead of developing a new system from scratch, Srisailam hopes to reduce implementation risks while accelerating deployment.
The project signals a growing trend in India's religious infrastructure, where major temples are increasingly embracing data-driven management systems comparable to those used at airports, metro networks, and other high-capacity public facilities.
Shunyatax Global Insight
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the management of large public gatherings, and religious institutions are becoming important adopters of these technologies. As pilgrimage volumes continue to rise, AI-powered surveillance, predictive analytics, and smart queue management can play a vital role in improving safety, operational efficiency, and the overall devotee experience while preserving the sanctity of religious traditions.
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