Tirupati: The big day during the annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara, Srivari Garuda Seva witnessed unprecedented turnout of pilgrims on the fifth day evening on Wednesday.
From the first rituals till the completion of the nine day religious event, the Brahmotsavams involves Garudalwar which shows the importance of the King of Aves Garuda.
Starting with Garuda Pataka Dhwajarohanam, Garuda Seva is held on the fifth day and concludes with Garuda-dhwajavarohanam, Brahmot-savams involves a grand ‘Grand Affair’. Hence Tallapaka Annamacharya penned in one of his popular sankeertans, “Garuda Gamana Garuda Dhwaja” while describing the majesty of Lord on sacred Garuda Vahanam
The Vedas provide the earliest reference of Garuda, where this mighty bird is said to have brought nectar to earth from heaven. Garuda is also considered as Veda Purusha.
As soon as Lord Malayappa Swamy, sitting gracefully on the mighty Garuda Vahanam, moved from Vahana Mandapam at the scheduled time of 7:30 pm, the entire hill town reverberated to the rhythmic chants of "Govinda Nama." As the Lord moved along the streets surrounding the temple on his favourite carrier Garuda wearing the new Sahasranama Kasula Haram, the devotion zoomed among the pilgrims sitting in galleries who witnessed the grandeur of Lord with utmost devotion.
All the roads lead to galleries in four-mada streets. Every inch is occupied by pilgrims since 8 am. The galleries with a holding capacity of 1.8 lakh pilgrims acted as open air auditorium for the mega procession. More than two lakh pilgrims are outside the galleries watching on the screens.
To make pilgrims feel comfortable, TTD made elaborate arrangements of food, water, buttermilk, beverages etc.
JEO K.S. Sreenivasa Raju, police and vigilance took measures to ensure free movement of Annaprasadam carts into the galleries.
TTD security and police administration in unison made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the mega fete.
Shops in Tirumala are closed with not even medical shops open in the hill town. Most of the roads were kept blocked around the temple, which gives a trouble to the devotees.
An elephant of TTD was disturbed during Garuda Seva and got irritated. It was noticed and controlled by TTD Mahuts immediately.
