The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has finalized its extensive preparations for the annual ‘Salakatla Brahmotsavams,’ which are set to begin on September 24. The goal is clear: to provide every devotee with a truly smooth and hassle-free darshan experience during this auspicious nine-day festival.
Speaking to the media after a comprehensive review meeting with district officials and police, TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal emphasized that these arrangements align perfectly with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision. The aim is to offer world-class facilities to pilgrims while reverently upholding the sacred spiritual traditions of the temple.
The grand nine-day festival will commence with the age-old ‘Dhwajarohanam’ ritual. During this sacred ceremony, the Chief Minister will personally present ‘pattu vastrams’ (silk clothes) to Lord Venkateswara. Additionally, a significant milestone will be achieved on September 25, with the inauguration of the new PAC-5 facility.
Significant investments have been made to enhance the infrastructure: ₹9.5 crore for civil works and ₹5.5 crore for electrical upgrades. Furthermore, the temple will be adorned with exquisite floral decorations costing ₹3.5 crore, utilizing a staggering 60 tonnes of flowers—all generously funded by donations, highlighting the community’s devotion.
Ensuring Comfortable Accommodation
Anticipating a massive influx of pilgrims, TTD has taken decisive steps to streamline accommodation and darshan. All recommendation-based room allotments have been canceled, with 3,500 rooms now exclusively reserved for common devotees through offline booking. Daily quotas have been set: 1.16 lakh special entrance darshan (SED) tickets and 25,000 SSD tokens. To ensure fairness, all privilege darshans have been temporarily suspended, with VIP darshan strictly limited to protocol dignitaries. For the convenience of all, 36 giant LED screens will broadcast the captivating ‘vahana sevas,’ complemented by 20 dedicated help-desks and numerous Srivari Sevaks on hand to guide pilgrims and gather valuable feedback.
Robust Security Measures in Place
A robust security plan is in full effect, featuring a formidable team of 4,700 police personnel, 2,000 TTD vigilance staff, and 3,500 dedicated Sevaks. Overseeing these efforts will be 450 senior officers, with constant surveillance maintained by an extensive network of 3,000 CCTV cameras, ensuring round-the-clock safety and order throughout the festivities.
To uphold hygiene and provide immediate medical assistance, additional sanitation staff will be deployed, alongside 1,150 barbers, 50 doctors, 60 paramedics, and more than twelve ambulances. Transportation will be seamless, with RTC operating an impressive 3,200 bus trips between Tirumala and Tirupati on the crucial Garuda Seva day. Parking facilities are ample, with capacity for over 7,900 vehicles in Tirupati and 4,000 in Tirumala.
A Rich Showcase of Cultural Heritage
The Brahmotsavams will also be a vibrant cultural spectacle. Approximately 298 cultural teams, representing 28 different states, will perform devotional art forms during the twice-daily processions. On Garuda Seva day, 37 special troupes will showcase their unique traditional arts, transforming this nine-day event into a truly national celebration of faith and devotion, uniting pilgrims from across India.
Among the distinguished officials present during these planning discussions were TTD Additional EO Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, Tirupati Collector Venkateswarlu, SP Subbarayudu, Municipal Commissioner Maurya, CVSO Murali Krishna, and Tirumala ASP Ramakrishna, highlighting the collaborative effort behind these grand preparations.