The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Heavy crowds at Tirumala

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Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Heavy crowds at Tirumala

Staff Reporter

Two lakh devotees participate in ‘Garuda Seva’

Air charged with the chanting of ‘Govinda Govinda’
Devotees find it difficult to secure accommodation

TIRUMALA: Over two lakh devotees participated in the ‘Garuda Seva’ festival observed on the fifth day on Tuesday as part of the ongoing annual Navaratri Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara.

The pilgrim rush which started swelling since afternoon was at its peak by evening. Thousands of devotees fearing non-availability of space by evening when the spectacular procession is carried out congregated on the open-top steps all the along the mada streets encircling the holy shrine several hours in advance.

Festive look

The processional deity of Lord Malayappa mounted atop the Golden ‘Garuda Vahanam’ was taken around the mada streets in a celestial procession. The entire town wore a festive look and the air was charged with the chanting of ‘Govinda Govinda’ by the congregated devotees.

The deity was adorned with very rare and precious jewels including the centuries old Makara Kanti and the Lakshmiharam whose history is rooted deep in the temple legends apart from other diamond-studded ornaments.

Several areas in the town were choked and all parking lots were full to their capacity. The traffic police on their part slapped restrictions and regulated the vehicular movement.

Devotees were subjected to lot of difficulties in securing a minimum accommodation. All the massive three pilgrim amenities complexes which can accommodate over 15,000 pilgrims in a single sitting were full to their capacity. The situation was no better at the darshan queue lines. The TTD on its part suspended the issuance of the cellar darshan tickets and dispensed the VIP darshan recommendation letters with an intention to provide more darshan timing to the ordinary pilgrims.

Free meals

The Nitya annadanam officials rendered a herculean task of providing free meals to all the desirous pilgrims at the massive free meals complex. Free food packets and milk including water sachets were distributed to all the devotees waiting in the darshan queue lines. Even the devotees seated in the second queue complex were provided with food packets in abundance.

Earlier in the morning the Lord donning the ‘Mohini avataram’ was carried out in a grand procession on an ivory palanquin along with Lord Krishna.

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