TTD to allow only Sarva Darshan during Brahmotsavam

By Our Special Correspondent

There will be no special darshan or arjita (paid) seva darshan during the Brahmotsavam festival this year. In a meeting chaired by the Executive Officer (EO) of TTD on Thursday, it was decided to provide only Sarva Darshan to give priority to common pilgrims.

District Collector Venkataramana Reddy, SP Parameshwar Reddy and various district officials including TTD officials participated in the meeting held in Tirumala.

After a gap of two years, pilgrims are allowed for the nine-day Brahmotsavam. The mega religious festival is scheduled between September 27 and October 5.

After the meeting in Tirumala, TTD EO AV Dharma Reddy along with District Collector K. Venkataramana Reddy told the media that it has been decided to allow only Sarva Darshan with the aim of giving priority to common devotees who come to Tirumala during the annual Brahmotsavam.

"In view of the heavy rush, we have decided to cancel all other darshan formats including Rs 300 (Special Entry Darshan), VIP Break (except Self Protocol VIPs), Srivani Trust, Donors, Disabled, Senior Citizens, NRIs, Infants etc. days," said the EO.

Dhwaja Rohanam, Garudaseva, Swarnaratham on September 27, Rathotsavam and Chakrasnanam will be held on October 1st, 2nd and 4th. On the first day of the Brahmotsavam, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will present silk clothes on behalf of the state government.

"The most important vehicle of the year, the Garuda Seva, is held on Saturday, which also happens to be the 'third Saturday' of the month of Puratasi, which is considered especially auspicious for Tamil pilgrims.

The EO said that it is expected that a large number of devotees will come on that day and the district administration has been asked to cooperate with TTD to organize the Garudaseva, which is the most important event of Brahmotsavam.

All the departments of TTD working specially in Tirumala have been directed to make extra effort to maintain buffer stock of laddus, make extra arrangements to provide Annaprasad to all the pilgrims and ensure the success of the mega ceremony with uninterrupted power supply.

The EO officials were directed to complete all the pending works within the stipulated time and to provide parking facilities for more vehicles. The EO asked the district police to cooperate in maintaining strong security during the festival.

Around 3,500 Srivari Sevakulu (volunteers) will be recruited to assist the TTD staff to make the celebrations a success. RTC operates additional bus services for pilgrims.

The chief priests of Tirumala temple Venugopala Dixitulu, Govindaraja Dixitulu, Krishna Seshachala Dixitulu, chief priest Shri Kiranswamy and others participated in this meeting. JEOs Sada Bhargavi, Veerabraham, CVSO Narasimhakishor, District SP Parameshwar Reddy, RTC Regional Manager Chengal Reddy and other senior officers participated.