TTD JEO K.S. Srinivasa Raju on Tuesday blew the bugle for the grand conduct of the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara scheduled to commence from 23rd September.
Addressing the media after presiding over a meeting with heads of various departments, Mr. Raju said the mega religious event would take off to a colourful start with Dhwajarohanam on September 23 and culminate with Chakrasnanam on October 1. While the auspicious Garuda seva will be organised on September 27, the Rathotsavam will be conducted on September 30, the penultimate day of the festival.
‘Silk Vastrams’
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will make the customary presentation of a pair of ‘Silk Vastrams’ on behalf of the State government on September 23 evening soon after the conclusion of the Dhwajarohanam ceremony.
More emphasis will be laid in meeting the requirements of the visiting devout, particularly on the Garuda Seva day, when the influx in the pilgrim crowd will be at its zenith. In addition to the supply of free food packets, the management also plans to distribute six lakh water packets and three lakh buttermilk sachets to the devotees on the grand occasion.
Special parking lots are being identified and no two-wheelers will be allowed to ply on the ghat roads on the day of Garuda Seva. The APSRTC will operate 3,000 trips during the day and a fleet of about 150 buses will be kept ready.
A total of 35 doctors in addition to 65 paramedical staff will be additionally drafted for the festival. More than 2,000 devotees have already enrolled themselves under the Srivari Seva.
Speaking on the occasion, Tirupati (Urban) SP Abhishek Mohanty said the police would work with the concept of ‘Safe Darshan’ and would also take up the geo-tagging of the children in a big way.
Several trainee IAS officers also took part in the meeting to study the nuances relating to the crowd management.
