Devotees await spectacular Garuda Seva at Tirumala

Tirumala, Sep 29 (UNI) Devotees are pouring into Tirumala in their thousands from various parts of the country to witness 'Garuda Seva' tonight, when the Lord is taken around the 'Mada' streets on his vehicle, the eagle, on the fifth day of the annual Brahmotsavam.

Around four to five lakh pilgrims come for Garuda Seva every year.

During the seva, the processional deity Malayappa Swamy would be adorned with rare jewels like 'Lakshmi Hara' and 'Makara Kantika.' Tulsi garlands from the Andal Temple in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, which were brought here yesterday, would be adorned on the Lord.

As is customary, silk 'vastrams' (vestments), presented on behalf of the state government by Chief Minister Y S Rajashekara Reddy, would also ornament the deity of Lord Venkateswara.

Rayalaseema IG Sambasiva Rao and Chittoor District Superintendent of Police V Gopalakrishna inspected security arrangements.

Barricades had been put up for orderly viewing of the procession and to prevent stampedes. During the nine-day Brahmotsavam, TTD Vigilance and police have deployed 1200 armed security personnel.

Everyday, 10,000 vehicles were passing through Alipiri point and being checked thoroughly. Nearly 300 'Sri Vari Sevaks' (volunteers) had been entrusted with the job of supplying water to pilgrims.

The rush is so much that waiting for darshan of the lord in the general queue went beyond 90 hours while the Rs 50 special entry darshan tickets registered a waiting period of more than 70 hours.

However, to lessen waiting time, authorities began 'Maha Laghu' darshan - no approach inside the sanctum sanctorum - yesterday and dispensed with VIP 'break darshan' and cellar tickets.

As many as one lakh devotees offered worship between 0600 hours and midnight yesterday and all 23 compartments were full with sarva darshan pilgrims, a TTD official said here today.

The situation was difficult at Padmavathi Guest House, where only VVIPs were accommodated. The three huge pilgrim amenities complexes were filled to the capacity and those, who could not secure any accommodation had to take shelter on roadside platforms. MORE UNI KNR RL HT1630