Andhra Pradesh   

Brahmotsavam fetches Rs. 9.87 crore to TTD

Staff Reporter

Major chunk of collection comes from `Hundi' deposits

TIRUMALA: The hill temple of Lord Venkateswara netted a record income of Rs. 9.87 crore for eight days during annual Brahmotsavam, which concluded on Tuesday, against Rs. 8.87 crore during the nine-day annual ritual last year.

A major chunk of the income was derived from the temple `Hundi' which alone netted Rs. 7.08 crore in the past eight days. While Rs. 1.22 crore was derived by sale of darshan tickets, laddu sales fetched Rs. 1.12 crore. Listing out details to mediapersons, TTD Executive Officer A.P.V. Narayana Sarma said that of the 7.61 lakhs devotees ferried by the APSRTC authorities, the temple management could provide darshan to as many as 5.06 lakhs pilgrims.

Free food

Thanking heads of various departments and all the TTD employees, Mr. Sarma said over 9.63 lakh devotees were provided free food under the `Nitya annadanam scheme on all the days of the festival period against 5.50 lakhs during last year. Free milk was also provided to as many as 9.63 lakh devotees, including those in the queue compartments and queue lines.

TTD Joint Executive Officer Balaramaiah said that the management had also roped in additional barbers on piece rate system besides women barbers to tackle the rush at the Kalyana Katta - tonsuring centre. He said the management was left with no other alternative but to introduce Maha laghu darshan system during the festive days and cleared the pilgrim rush. Thanking the `Srivari sevaks' for their untiring service he said the visiting pilgrims were also very cooperative.

Thousands take holy dip

Meanwhile, the nine-day Brahmotsavams concluded on a grand note on Tuesday with the `Chakrasnanam' ritual conducted on the banks of the temple Pushkarini. Thousands of devotees took a `holy dip' in the temple tank.

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