Andhra Pradesh is all set for the annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala, with the annual event ready to commence on October 2.
The New Indian Express reported:
For the first ever time, both the Ghat Roads to Tirumala will remain open round the clock from October 1 to 12. Earlier, the Ghat Roads used to be cloed from 12 in the night to 3 am due to the foraying of wild animals. Dhwajarohanam, which heralds the formal commencement of the nine-day festival, will be performed in Meena Lagnam between 5:47 pm to 6:15 pm on October 3.
Andhra chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is also expected to attend the festival on October 3 to offer ‘Vastrams’ to the deity on behalf of the state government.
Meanwhile, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is in charge of organizing the fete, stated that arrangements were in place.
A report in The Hindu states that security has been stepped up and adds:
About 3,500 police personnel have been drafted for Brahmotsavam duty. There will be an additional deployment of over 1,200 personnel for Garuda Seva. The security forces will focus their attention in facilitating the pilgrims have a comfortable darshan, including those of the regular processions. A total of 536 CCTV cameras have been installed at all the vital points.
Earlier in the week, Andhra Director General of Police N. Sambasiva Rao visited the Tirupati command and control centre to review the security arrangements for the event.
Srivari Brahmotsavam is one of the biggest annual events that is organized by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and is held for nine days.
The presiding deity Lord Venkateswara is also carried around in a procession around the temple streets during the festivities.
The fete attracts a huge influx of pilgrims from across the country.