The TTD said that elaborate arrangements had been made for the lakhs of devotees expected to throng the annual Navaratri Brahmotsavams.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has made elaborate arrangements for the multitude of devotees expected to throng Tirumala for the annual Brahmotsavams, which begin on October 4, according to EO J Syamala Rao.
Speaking to the media at Annamaiah Bhavan today, the EO, along with Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdhary, said that on the first day, October 4, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu would present Pattu Vastrams to the Srivari temple on behalf of the State government, and would have a darsan of Lord Venkateswara.
"After Vedaseervachanam in the Ranganayakula Mandapam, the Chief Minister will release the 2025 TTD calendars and diaries. He will then participate 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, equipped with advanced kitchen gadgets and facilities to enhance the Annaprasadam activity at Tirumala, keeping in mind the larger interests of the visiting pilgrims," they said.
Elaborating on the arrangements, the EO said that in view of the annual Brahmotsavams from October 4 to 12, the TTD had cancelled all arjita sevas, anga pradakshinas and VIP break darsans (except for protocol, which would also be cancelled on October 8 due to Garuda Seva). And that privileged darsans such as those for parents with infants, senior citizens and physically challenged individuals would also be suspended during this period.
"We have also prepared a buffer stock of seven lakh laddus to meet the demand. Accommodation in Tirumala, including in rest houses and PACs, can house nearly 45,000 pilgrims. We are expecting around 3.5 lakh pilgrims for the Garuda Seva on October 8, and all the necessary arrangements have been made. The galleries along the four mada streets have been spruced up to accommodate nearly two lakh pilgrims. Approximately 3,000 round trips have been planned to transport three lakh people on the Garuda Seva day in over 400 APSRTC buses, with 2,000 trips scheduled for other days," the EO added.
"We have increased the portions of Annaprasadam from 1.75 lakh last year to two lakh this year for the Garuda Seva. Similarly, additional drinking water points have been set up, and 600 extra sanitary workers have been deployed. 80 supervisory staff were on duty last year, but this year we have increased that number to 149 to improve sanitation management. Apart from the five existing information counters, five more have been set up at Rambhagicha, Ramastupam, PAC2, opposite the RTC bus stand, and the S V Museum to provide information to the public," he said.
He added that a total of 28 LED screens had been installed at different locations in the temple town, 23 of which were in the four mada streets. Last year these screens were operational for only three days, but this year they would function throughout the Brahmotsavams, he said. Security had also been strengthened, with 1,250 TTD security personnel, around 3,900 police officers, and an additional 1,100 police officers deployed on the Garuda Seva day. To offer better services to the pilgrims, 4,000 Srivari Sevaks had been invited this year, compared to 3,000 last year. Medical facilities for pilgrims had also been enhanced, he said.
"Parking for 9,000 vehicles in Tirumala and 6,000 vehicles in Tirupati has been arranged. On Garuda Seva day, the ghat roads will be open 24/7, though two-wheelers will be restricted from 9 pm on October 7 to 6 am on October 9. Last year, artists from 12 States performed in front of the Vahana Sevas; this year, 21 States have been approached, and so far 19 have confirmed their participation," Rao said.
JEOs Goutami and Veerabrahmam, CVSO Sridhar, CE Satyanarayana, Deputy EO Lokanatham and others were present.