Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) [India], October 3 (ANI): The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will visit Tirumala on Friday to participate in the annual mega Brahmotsavam festival and offer Pattu vastras on behalf of the State government, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) official said.
As per the TTD Executive Officer, Rao will also attend the Pedda Sesha Vahanam Seva and inaugurate the Vakula Mata Central Kitchen, which will cater to around 1.1 lakh devotees, on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters about the festival preparations, Rao said, "This year, the festival will run from October 4 to October 12. Every morning and evening, there will be a procession of vahanas called Vahana Sevas." He added that on October 8, Garuda Vahana Seva will take place, and around 3.5 lakh devotees are expected on that day.
To manage the crowds during the nine-day event, TTD has made various arrangements. "TTD is making sure that devotees have a great darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara and can observe the processions. We are providing food, water, and milk for children, along with accommodation, and we are ensuring that cleanliness is maintained," said the TTD Executive Officer.
On Garuda Vahana Seva day, VIP services have been cancelled, and only VIPs who come for the seva themselves without referrals will be allowed. Rao added that TTD will distribute 1.32 lakh Senior Citizen Darshan (SCD) tokens and issue 24,000 Sarva Darshanam tokens daily. Additionally, a buffer stock of 7 lakh laddus will be available, with 65 counters set up for distribution.
"Regarding accommodation, we have rooms for around 40,000 devotees and locker systems. Around 60,000 devotees can use these facilities on the Tirumala Hills," he added. Medical facilities will also be in place, with 40 doctors and 70 paramedical staff on duty, supported by staff from SV Institute of Medical Sciences, Byrd Ruya Hospital, and Apollo's Heart Care Center.
For security, 1,250 TTD vigilance staff and 3,800 police personnel will be deployed, including 1,200 additional police officers on Garuda Vahana Seva day. "We are using 2,900 CCTV cameras for monitoring," Rao added.
TTD has also arranged public transportation, with APSRTC providing 100-400 buses making 2,000 trips a day and 3,000 trips on the day of Garuda Vahana Seva. Parking arrangements for 4,000 vehicles have been made in Tirumala, along with five holding points to manage the heavy footfall on Garuda Vahana Seva day. (ANI)
