TTD Thanks Officials, Staff and Devotees for Successful Conduct of Navaratri Brahmotsavams
Tirumala, Oct 20 (TNT): The Srivari Navaratri Brahmotsavams concluded successfully at Tirumala with 6.46 lakh devotees having darshan of Lord Venkateswara between October 12 and 19, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman B.R. Naidu said on Tuesday.
Durign the period, the srivari hundi offerings amounting to Rs. 25.79 crore.
Addressing a media conference at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala, Naidu, along with TTD Executive Officer M. Ravichandra, thanked officials, staff, priests, Srivari Sevaks, police, district administration, media and devotees for their collective efforts in conducting the nine-day festival despite inclement weather conditions.
He said the coordinated efforts of various departments ensured that devotees from across the world could witness the Moola Virat Seva and Vahana Sevas comfortably.
Despite continuous heavy rain on the day of Garuda Seva, devotees participated in the celebrations with devotion, while personnel continued their duties efficiently, said Naidu.
During the festival, 22.60 lakh Anna Prasadam packets were distributed, 2.44 lakh devotees offered tonsure and 34.34 lakh laddus were sold, according to TTD.
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operated 13,608 trips from Tirupati to Tirumala, carrying 4.01 lakh devotees, and 13,667 return trips, transporting five lakh devotees, he said.
TTD’s transport wing deployed 39 electric buses, which ferried seven lakh devotees in 6,900 trips over ten days, he informed.
The Chairman said the arrangements made for Garuda Seva received positive feedback from pilgrims.
Security was provided by 2,800 police personnel and 2,000 vigilance staff, with an additional 1,000 police personnel deployed on Garuda Seva day, he said advance parking arrangements ensured smooth traffic movement in Tirumala and Tirupati.
Around 4,500 Srivari Seva volunteers rendered services during the festival. Medical arrangements included 75 doctors, 10 Srivari Arogya Seva doctors, 60 paramedical staff, 20 ambulances and four mobile clinics, he said.
On Garuda Seva day, 3,500 sanitation workers were deployed in Tirumala and cleared around 183 tonnes of segregated wet and dry waste, he said.
Around 600 TTD employees from various departments in Tirupati also rendered special services, while sectoral and in-charge officers monitored pilgrim facilities round the clock, he said.
Cultural programmes featured 6,777 artistes from 252 troupes representing 26 States, besides Qatar and Dubai.
On Garuda Seva day alone, 863 artistes from 31 troupes representing 17 States presented various art forms.
The TTD Executive Officer felicitated four outstanding cultural troupes every day.
Floral decorations used approximately 60 tonnes of flowers, five lakh cut flowers and 80,000 seasonal flowers. Electric illuminations in Tirumala and Tirupati attracted devotees, while 36 large digital screens facilitated viewing of the Vahana Sevas.
Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel telecast the celebrations worldwide in enhanced quality, with commentary by eminent scholars.
TTD also implemented safety measures for animals participating in the Vahana Sevas, including elephants, cows, horses and bulls.
Devotees were prohibited from seeking blessings directly from elephants as part of the safety arrangements.
An exhibition organised by the TTD Public Relations Department at Kalyana Vedika showcased rare Tirumala photographs and information on TTD temples, Ayurveda, the SV Institute of Sculpture, and the Forest and Garden departments. It received an encouraging response from devotees.
Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, Chief Vigilance and Security Officer Muralikrishna and other officials were present at the media conference.
TNT LE
