TTD Board to Meet on January 31 for Rathasaptami Preparations

Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams trust board would meet on January 31 to review preparations for the upcoming Rathasaptami festival scheduled for February 4.

This meeting is significant, given the heightened focus on crowd management and safety following the tragic stampede in Tirupati on January 8, which claimed the lives of six devotees. The board will take stock of the arrangements in place to ensure a smooth and safe experience for the millions of devotees expected for this celestial event.

The Rathasaptami festival, often referred to as a "mini Brahmotsavam," is a major in the Tirumala temple calendar. Devotees gather in large numbers to witness the procession of Lord Malayappa, who will be taken in a grand procession atop seven different vahanams along the mada streets of Tirumala.

This procession spans the entire day from dawn to dusk.

Special attention is being given by TTD to the distribution of water, Annaprasadam services and the overall safety of the devotees.

In response to the recent incident in Tirupati, the temple administration is making efforts to strengthen security measures. Issuance of Slotted Sarva Darshan tokens will be suspended from February 3 to 5, and VIP Break Darshans, along with all Privileged Darshans, including those based on recommendation letters, will be cancelled on February 4 to ensure the smooth flow of the festival proceedings.