Date:15/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/15/stories/2007091551300300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Stage set for annual Brahmotsavams

Staff Reporter

‘Ankurarpanam’ performed at Tirumala temple as prelude to the big event

3,000 health workers appointed for duty
Free food to be distributed to 40,000 devotees

TIRUMALA: The stage is set for the grand conduct of the nine day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara, Tirumala scheduled to commence with ‘Dwajarohanam’ on Saturday.

Heavy turnout

The TTD management which is expecting a heavy turnout from the pilgrim crowd that is normally experienced every year has made elaborate arrangements to meet the requirements. Steps have been initiated to provide free food to more than 40,000 pilgrims at the massive Nithya Annadanam complex every day during the festival period against the normal number of 20,000 pilgrims daily. Free food packets shall be supplied to all the pilgrims waiting in the darshan queue lines. The management has dispensed with the advance reservation of the cottages and guest houses. Accommodation shall be provided to the devotees on first-come-first-serve basis.

While the engineering department has completed the barricading of the open top galleries all along the streets through which the daily processions of the Lord shall be observed the electrical department has completed electrifying the temple town. Huge electrical cut outs depicting various images of Lord were installed at all the vantage . Information centres have been set up at all the vital points.

The TTD executive officer K.V. Ramanachary has issued standing instructions to the health department for the maintenance of proper hygienic conditions. It is in this connection that the management also has roped in more than 3,000 health workers for the festival duty.

‘Ankurarpanam’ - was observed on Friday at Tirumala temple in connection with the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara slated to commence on Saturday.

In connection with the festival, the commander-in-chief of Lord’s army, Lord Viswaksena was taken around the mada streets encircling the hill shrine in a grand procession this evening.

According to mythology it is believed that Lord Viswaksena goes round the temple complex supervising the arrangements being made for the grand conduct of nine-day festival. In course of his inspection he also collects ‘Putta Mannu’ (sacred earth) at Vasantha mandapam required for the ‘Yagasala’ located inside the temple complex.