The procession of Golden Tiruchi marked the commencement of the annual Navaratri Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.
Processional deity Lord Malayappa and his two divine consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, mounted atop the golden palanquin, were taken around the mada streets on the inaugural day on Wednesday.
Call to officials
A series of rituals dominated the religious proceedings on the opening day. The pre-dawn rituals were followed by special ones like ‘suddhi’, ‘koluvu’, ‘ekantha thirumanjanam’ inside the temple.
Tirumala-based TTD JEO K.S. Srinivasa Raju at a high-level meeting with HoDs of various departments urged the officials to render uncompromising services to the visiting pilgrims who he said are expected to throng the town in huge numbers. The officials in charge of core areas should remain more vigilant and address the grievances that crop up during their discharge of duties.
Underlining the need for a better coordination between various departments, he urged the officials to focus more on the maintenance of hygiene atop the town. He also exhorted them to come up with a ballpark figure with regard to the requirement of Srivari seva volunteers and their deployment in select areas like mada streets, health and annadanam during the festival period.
Later in the night the procession of seven hooded golden Pedda Sesha vahanam was organised.
