Last Updated:January 09, 2025, 09:22 IST The stampede at Tirupati occurred when a large crowd surged forward as gates were opened to distribute tokens for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam. Six people died in the chaos. Police personnel try to control the crowd as hundreds of devotees jostle for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam in Tirupati (Photo: PTI) Overcrowding at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills caused the stampede in Tirupati, which killed six people on Wednesday. According to officials, nearly 5,000 people came in together as the gates for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam opened. Dozens of others were injured in the incident. Commenting on how the stampede occurred, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu, “A DSP opened the gates and immediately everybody pushed ahead, which led to this stampede.” He also said that there was some suspicion that it happened due to (the temple) administration. “The reason (for the stampede) is overcrowding, and it is an unfortunate incident,” Naidu said while speaking to reporters. #WATCH | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh: TTD (Tirumala Tirupati …