In a record, more than three lakh devotees got their heads tonsured at the hill temple of Lord Venkateswara in fulfilment of their prayers during the first week of the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams currently under way.
Briefing the media, TTD Deputy EO (Kalyanakatta) S. Venkataiah said that over 1,500 hair dressers, including 277 women, were involved to meet the huge challenge. The figures relate to the period from October 3 to 8.
In addition to the main Kalyanakatta building (tonsuring complex), tonsuring centres at both the I & II Pilgrim Amenities Complex (PAC) besides the one at SV rest house functioned round-the-clock from the commencement of the mega festival. “We had also provided quality material like blades, dettol, sandal paste and face mask to every hair dresser,” he said.
On the other hand the TTD administration has rolled out an effective and fool proof security arrangements for the ensuing annual Brahmotsavams, says Tirumala JEO Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju.
He reviewed the security arrangements with the heads of Engineering, Reception, FMS (Facilitation Management services) at the CRO office in Tirumala today to give finishing touches and fine tune the security system at Tirumala.
Speaking on the occasion the JEO directed the TTD vigilance officials to coordinate with the Police department to provide fool-proof protection to devotees on a 24×7 basis.SPECIAL arrangements were made for parking of VEHICLES on , the crucial day of Garuda Seva when lakhs of devotees are expected to attend.
He said on Garuda seva day annaprasadam, buttermilk and water packets would be distributed on the four mada street galleries where devotees would be allowed to enter afternoon itself. The devotees should be given hassle free experience without any trouble in getting darshan, rooms and anna prasadams, he advised the officials.
Similarly the devotees should also cooperate with the vigilance, police and TTD staff in making the Brahmotsavam a grand success.
