Confusion and disorder reigned supreme during ‘Garuda Seva’ organised at Tirumala on Wednesday night as part of the ongoing nine-day annual Brahmotsavams at the temple of Lord Venkateswara.
Lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country converged atop the hill town to participate in the celestial procession of ‘Garuda Seva’.
Though the TTD authorities had made elaborate arrangements, their efforts proved futile as officials of various departments overseeing the festival lacked coordination.
Over thirty persons were injured and several instances of near stampede-like situation marred the occasion.
The devotees in Arathi queue lines were subjected to great difficulties, thanks to the jostling that dominated the proceedings despite the presence of hordes of security personnel.
Besides, the on duty police personnel, who stood guard at important entry points in the mada streets, were rather busy helping their kith and kin get the glimpse of the procession. On the other hand, indiscriminate issuance of VIP and VVIP passes also led to the commotion at the ‘vahana mandapam’ much ahead of the commencement of the festival.
However, the decision of TTD Executive Officer M.G. Gopal to advance the procession by over one-and-a-half hours mollified the situation. Earlier, grandeur marked the procession of the golden chariot organised on the sixth day of the annual Brahmotsavams. The processional deity of Lord Malayappa Swamy along with his divine consorts – Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi- was mounted atop the newly built golden chariot.
