Srivari Brahmotsavams: TTD expects 3.5 lakh pilgrims; enhances security, amenities

Tirumala: TTD has made elaborate arrangements for the huge rush of devotees expected to throng Tirumala during the annual Brahmotsavams scheduled to commence from October 4 onwards, said TTD EO J Syamala Rao.

CM Naidu to present Pattu Vastrams on the first day

Speaking to media persons at Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala on Thursday, the EO along with the TTD additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdhary said, that on the first day, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu will present the Pattu Vastrams at Srivari Temple on behalf of the State government and will have darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. After Vedaseervachanam in Ranganayakula Mandapam, he will release the 2025 TTD calendars and diaries. Thereafter, he will take part in the Peddasesha Vahana Seva.

On October 5, the CM will inaugurate the newly constructed Rs 13.45 crore modern kitchen behind the Panchajanyam Rest House with all modern kitchen gadgets and facilities to enhance the Annaprasadam activity in Tirumala keeping in view the larger interests of visiting pilgrims.

Special rituals suspended

Elaborating on the departmental arrangements the EO said, in view of annual Brahmotsavams from October 4-12, TTD has cancelled all Arjita sevas and Anga pradakshina. VIP break (except for protocol) also remains cancelled on October 8 owing to Garuda Seva. Similarly, privileged darshans allowing parents with infants, senior citizens and physically challenged darshans will also be suspended.

We keep a buffer stock of seven lakh laddus to meet the pilgrim demand. The accommodation in Tirumala including rest houses, PACs could accommodate nearly 45,000 pilgrims.

“As we are anticipating around 3.5 lakh pilgrims for Garuda seva on October 8, we have made all arrangements to meet the pilgrim needs. The galleries along the four mada streets have been spruced up to accommodate nearly 2 lakh pilgrims,” the TTD said.

As many as 3,000 round trips have been planned to commute 3 lakh people on the day of Garuda seva in 400 plus APSRTC buses while 2,000 trips on other days.

Additional staff to be deployed

Annaprasadams have been increased from 1.75 lakhs last year to 2 lakhs this year. Similarly, the drinking water points have also been increased and an additional 600 sanitary workers have been deployed.

Last year, eight supervisory staff were deployed and this year we have enhanced the figure to 49 for better management of sanitation, the officials said.

Apart from the existing five information counters, we have set up five more at Rambhagicha, Ramastupam, PAC2, opposite RTC Bustand, SV Museum to provide necessary information to the public.

A total of 28 LED screens will be placed at different places in Tirumala out of which 23 will be in the four mada streets. Last year they functioned for only three days while this year they continue services during the entire Brahmotsavams.

The security has been beefed up which includes 1,250 TTD cops, and around 3,900 police officials, with an extra deployment of 1,100 police on Garuda Seva day.

To offer better services to the pilgrims, this year 4,000 Srivari sevaks have been invited as against 3,000 last year. Similarly, the medical facilities for the pilgrims have also been enhanced this year.

Parking for 9,000 vehicles in Tirumala, and 6,000 vehicles in Tirupati have been arranged, the officials said.

On the day of Garuda Seva, the ghat roads will be open 24X7 while the movement of two-wheelers remains restricted from 9 pm on October 7 till 6 am on October 9.

While last year artistes from 12 States presented their art forms in front of Vahana Sevas, this year 21 states have been approached out of which 19 have been confirmed.