Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 9 : Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavams, scheduled from September 15 to 23, followed by the Navaratri Brahmotsavams starting October 13, with the district administration and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) putting in place extensive arrangements to manage the expected influx of devotees.
Tirupati District Collector S Venkateswar said extensive coordination with the TTD is underway following comprehensive field inspections and preparatory meetings led by the TTD Executive Officer.
He said, “Extensive arrangements are being made in coordination with TTD to ensure that devotees face no inconvenience during the Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavams, scheduled to be held from September 15 to 23, and the Navaratri Brahmotsavams, scheduled from October 13.”
The Chief Minister is scheduled to present traditional silk garments to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on the inaugural day of the festival. To manage vehicular movement and regulate traffic, designated parking and holding areas have been established at the Alipiri Check Point, TTD lands near the Zoo Park, Nehru Municipal High School and other strategic locations across Tirupati.
“Preparatory meetings have been conducted under the leadership of the TTD EO and field-level inspections have also been completed regarding the arrangements for this year's Srivari Salakatla and Navaratri Brahmotsavams,” the Tirupati District Collector said.
The district administration said pilgrim flow will be monitored in real time through a Command Control Centre. Whenever necessary, devotees will be accommodated at holding zones equipped with live LED telecasts of Vahana Sevas, drinking water, free meals, toilets and sanitation facilities.
S Venkateswar further said that on the first day of the Brahmotsavams, the Chief Minister would offer silk clothes to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.
“To regulate the movement of devotees' vehicles, parking and holding points have been arranged at the Alipiri Check Point, TTD lands near the Zoo Park, Nehru Municipal High School and other locations in Tirupati,” he added.
Meanwhile, the crowd situation at Tirumala would be monitored through the Command Control Centre. Whenever necessary, devotees would be accommodated at holding points, where live telecasts of the Vahana Sevas would be displayed on LED screens.
Drinking water, food, free meals, toilets and sanitation facilities will also be provided to devotees. Keeping the Peratasi month in view, three more special holding points are being established on the outskirts of Tirupati for devotees arriving from Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other areas, the district collector said.
Extensive sanitation measures are being taken in Tirupati city and surrounding panchayats, along with electrical decorations, as approximately 3.5 to 4 lakh devotees and 12,000 to 13,000 vehicles are expected to arrive for the Garuda Seva on the fifth day; adequate parking arrangements have been made in Tirumala and Tirupati.
Meanwhile, District Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu outlined enhanced security and traffic protocols in coordination with revenue officials, factoring in the overlapping Vinayaka Chavithi festivities.
He said, “Arrangements are being made in coordination with Police and Revenue Department officials in view of the upcoming Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations and the Garuda Seva scheduled to be held on September 19 as part of the Srivari Brahmotsavams.”
Highlighting the massive crowds anticipated for the September 19 Garuda Seva, the SP urged festival organisers to complete Ganesha idol immersions within the first three days and avoid immersion processions on the day of the Garuda Seva to prevent severe gridlock.
He said, “Several instructions have been issued to officials to ensure that the celebrations are conducted peacefully without causing any inconvenience to devotees. The organisers of Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations have been advised to complete the immersion of Vinayaka idols preferably on the first or within three days of the commencement of the festival.”
Police teams have been deployed to ensure law and order remain uncompromised throughout the festive calendar.
Lakhs of devotees are expected to arrive from across the State on Garuda Seva day. The SP appealed to organisers to complete the idol immersions in advance, keeping the expected traffic congestion in view and urged the organisers not to conduct idol immersion programmes on the fifth day, when Garuda Seva is held, and to make immersion arrangements on the other days.
SP Subbarayudu further stated, “All necessary measures are being taken for maintaining law and order and regulating traffic so that devotees can celebrate Vinayaka Chavithi and Srivari Brahmotsavams peacefully and happily.”
Furthermore, in view of the upcoming Brahmotsavams, special arrangements were made for temple purification and ritual preparations.
Tirumala Srivari Brahmotsavams is the most important and auspicious nine-day grand festival celebrated annually for Lord Venkateswara at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.