A stampede broke out at the Tirupati Temple on January 8, causing the deaths of at least six people and leaving several others injured. The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam, close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of `darshan` tokens. The stampede was triggered by overcrowding, according to the Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Devotees from across the country had gathered in large numbers since January 8 to collect tokens. By the end of the day, the crowds grew so large that congestion occurred, leading to the tragic incident. The families of those who died are deeply grieving the loss.