Tirupati: VIPs’ Presence Near Vahanams Disrupts Srivari Vahana Sevas
On occasions, VIPs end up stopping members of cultural groups for photographs, hindering the movement of Srivari vahanam itself.
Tirupati: VIPs and their entourages in the mada streets during the vahana sevas around the Tirumala Temple are causing resentment among common devotees.
They point out that Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) provides the VIPs privileged darshan at the Vahana Mandapam itself. “Why should they again be allowed within the close vicinity of vahanas going in procession,” asked G. Hemanth Kumar, a devotee from Tirupati.
Thousands of devotees wait for hours behind the iron railings and fences in galleries to watch the vahana sevas during the ongoing Salakatla Brahmotsavams.
Rope parties are deployed around the vahanams for keeping the procession route clear and ensuring the safe movement of the vahanam.
As ordinary devotees are already confined behind iron fences, the presence of VIP and their entourages around the vahanas creates difficulties for the rope parties.
One among the rope personnel says they face problems when VIPs insist on moving closer to the vahanam for photographs or harathi. “Our duty is to keep the space around the vahanam clear. However, the VIPs insist on coming forward, thereby disrupting the movement of the procession," said the rope party member.
The VIPs also cause inconvenience for the cultural troupes presenting their show ahead of the vahanam. The troupes require clear pathways for the dance, bhajans, or kolatam sequences.
On some occasions, the VIPs end up stopping members of the cultural groups for photographs, interrupting the movement of the vahanam following behind.
Senior TTD officials are finding themselves in a difficult position. They have to balance the VIPs’ protocol requirements against the smooth movement of the procession.
Common devotees say VIP protocol should not affect the movement of the vahanam or the experience of those who wait for hours to watch the seva. “We have no problem with VIPs being extended privileges.
But once the vahana seva starts, there should be no disturbance for the thousands who are waiting for the darshan,” said S. Rajeshwari, another devotee from Tirupati.
