Tirupati: Sri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated at various locations across Tirupati and Chittoor districts on Friday, with devotees visiting temples for special rituals and prayers.

The Hare Krishna Lotus Temple of Iskcon in Tirupati witnessed the largest congregation, with temple authorities estimating that more than one lakh devotees visited during the day. Devotees began arriving in the early hours and long queues stretched along Hare Krishna Road, with waiting time for darshan crossing four hours at times.

Police made arrangements to regulate crowds and traffic around the temple, including diversions and deployment of additional personnel. Drones were also used to monitor the movement of devotees. The traditional Utlotsavam was conducted in the evening.

The Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple near Palani Theatre also received a steady flow of devotees. Annadanam was organised for them.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) marked Gokulashtami with Go Puja at the Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshana Shala in Tirupati. TTD Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra participated in the rituals and offered prayers to Sri Venugopala Swamy. He offered new clothes and flower garlands to cows and calves and performed special puja and harathi. He also milked a cow and handed over the milk to priests for the abhishekam of the deity.

In Tirumala, the TTD garden department conducted a special abhishekam to Kaliyamardhana Krishna at Gogarbham Gardens. The deity was offered milk, curd, honey, coconut water, turmeric and sandal paste. The Sri Krishna Janmashtami Asthanam was performed at Srivari Temple between 8 pm and 9 pm inside Bangaru Vakili.

Special pujas were performed at Saptagokulam near the first gopuram of Srikalahasti Temple. At Kanipakam, Janmashtami celebrations were held at the temple Gosala, where pujas were performed for Lord Krishna and the cows. The traditional Utlotsavam was also conducted.

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