scores of devotees to join procession
Tirupati: Preparations are in full swing for Rathasaptami festival at Tirumala on Tuesday. Scores of devotees from different parts of the country are expected to arrive to have the glimpses of this celestial event — also known as one-day ‘Brahmotsavam.’
On the occasion, the procession of Lord Malayappa Swamy will be taken out. The festival will commence with the break of the dawn and Lord Malayappa appearing as Surya Narayana Murthy on the Suryaprabha Vahanam. From 5:30am to 8.00am will be the auspicious occasion of ‘Surya Jayanthi’.
In the religious procession wherein Lord will grace Chinna Sesha Vahanam (from 9am to 10am), Garuda Vahanam (from 11am to 12pm), Hanumantha Vahanam (from 1.00pm to 2.00pm), Kalpavriksha Vahanam (from 4.00pm to 5.00pm), Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam (from 6.00pm to 7.00pm), and it will conclude with Chandraprabha Vahanam (from 8.00pm to 9.00pm). The revered Chakra Snanam ritual will take place between 2.00pm and 3.00pm.
On the other, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management has chalked out measures for crowd control as well as safety of devotees, supply of drinking water and Annaprasadam services. Nearly 200 galleries have been constructed along the Mada street to accommodate devotees, while 66 Annaprasadam distribution counters have been set up. Besides, 351 toilet facilities have been built for the pilgrims.
TTD executive officer J. Syamala Rao, additional EO Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, chief vigilance and security officer Manikanta Chandolu, and Tirupati SP Harshavardhan Raju, are overseeing the final preparations.
Rao gave instructions to TTD employees, police and vigilance personnel to work in close coordination with emphasis on structured communication between different departments, so that any issues can be addressed promptly.
“The coordination between staffers at the ground zero, police, and vigilance team members is the key to run an event successfully. Every employee has been directed to provide real-time updates on the situation to their respective departments,” said Rao.
Additional EO Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary spoke on the importance of field-level discussion for effective execution. “We have reviewed the micro and macro aspects of planning. If the designated officers and staff work in unison, potential challenges can be mitigated,” he stated.
