TTD gears up for Rathasapthami festival

Tirumala: Elaborate arrangements are being made for the devotees to witness the Vahana Sevas to be held on Friday, on the occasion of the auspicious Rathasapthami festival in Tirumala.

Keeping in view of large congregation of devotees from all over the country expected for the religious fete which also considered a ‘one-day Brahmotsavam’ as the devotees will have the opportunity to have a glimpse of as many as seven Vahanams in a day, the TTD made all arrangements in the galleries on the four Mada streets around the temple in which the deity will be taken in a procession atop the Vahanams one after another from morning to night.

TTD Tirumala Joint Executive Officer KS Srinivasa Raju on Thursday inspected galleries and gave instructions to the Engineering and Annaprasadam staff on the facilities including food and drinking water supply continuously to the devotees, who will wait in the galleries to witness the Vahana Sevas.

Meanwhile, an awareness meeting for Srivari Sevakulu was held ahead of the festival in Tirupati, preparing them for the service of pilgrims on Rathasapthami day.

The top brass officials hailing from three important departments including Annaprasadam, Health and Vigilance took part in this programme.

Addressing the Sevakulu, TTD Chief Catering Officer (CCO) GLN Sastry said that over 37 food courts have been arranged in galleries for the sake of the pilgrims. There will be continuous supply of food packets to the pilgrims and it will be served by the Srivari Sevakulu.

Buttermilk packets, beverages, food menu will be distributed among the pilgrims from morning to evening at regular intervals, the service should be performed without causing any inconvenience to pilgrims, he added.

Health Officer Dr Sermista said, along with the distribution of food packets, the Sevakulu should give water sachets to the pilgrims. “Around six lakh water sachets have been made ready for distribution on Friday,” she said.

AVSO Kurma Rao said the Srivari Sevakulu will be deployed at all vital points in the galleries and also at the gates.

The Sevakulu are also requested to be in their duty spots during Chakrasnanam which is the crucial part of the day to control the pilgrims,” he maintained. Assistant PRO P Neelima presided over the meeting.