The big day during the annual Brahmotsavams of Sri Venkateswara, Srivari Garuda Seva witnessed huge turnout of pilgrims on the fifth day evening on Monday.
From the first rituals till the completion of the nine day religious event, the Brahmotsavams involves Garudalwar , the vehicle of Sri Venkareswara showcasing the importance of the King of Aves, Garuda.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GARUDA
Starting with Garuda Pataka Dhwajarohanam, Garuda Seva is held on the fifth day and concludes with Garuda-dhwajavarohanam, where the Brahmot-savams involves a grand ‘Grand Affair’ with Garuda. 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.
GARUDA VAHANAM COMMRNCES BY 7PM
As soon as Lord Malayappa Swamy, sitting gracefully on the mighty Garuda Vahanam, moved from Vahana Mandapam at the scheduled time of 7pm, the entire hill town reverberated to the frenzied rhythmic chants of “Govinda Govinda “.
KASULA HARAM A SPECIAL ATTRACTION
The mighty Garuda Vahanam surged ahead with the Lord wearing the Sahasranama Kasula Haram, along the sacred Mada streets. The devotees, became ecstatic with bhakti elixir by witnessing the grandeur of Lord with utmost devotion.
Rare ornaments, which normally adorn presiding deities in Srivari temple are brought out of the sanctum sanctorum to adorn the utsava idols during Garuda Seva.
The beauty of the Sri Malayappa Swamy has enhanced with the rare ornaments. Sitting majestically on the shoulders of Garuda, His regular Vahanam, Lord Malayappa Swamy, went out in a procession along the four Mada streets.
ELABORATE ARRANGEMENTS BY TTD
For the devotees who remained outside the galleries since morning hours, TTD has made their stay comfortable with water, buttermilk, beverages, snacks etc. They also witnessed Garuda Seva through LED screens erected at various places in Tirumala.
Additional toilets were in place to meet the demands of aged, women and children in their long wait. Tirumala JEO Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju continuously monitored the galleries situation from time to time while the police and vigilance took measures to ensure free movement of Annaprasadam carts into the galleries, besides medicare to the needy.
TTD security and police administration in unison made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the mega fete.
TECHNOLOGY PLAYS KEY ROLE
Technology has been fully adopted for crowd management. The CCTV and Video Fire Wall monitoring is being done continuously from Common Command Centre.
TTD had decked up the hill shrine with flowers, bright electrical arches with mythological concepts and portraits of Goddesses etc. Special parking facilities were provided in Tirumala and also at Tirupati near Alipiri with shuttles.
They are ready to supply around 6 lakh meals to the devotees who come for the celestial event. Three lakh packets of buttermilk have also been stocked to serve devotees.
SRIVARI SEVAKULU, SCOUTS AND POLICE
About 3,000 strong contingent of Srivari Sevaks, 5000 police, 1000 scouts, several thousands of employees provide all services to devotees.
SPECIAL ATTENTION ON SANITATION
Sanitation and hygiene have been given top priority and 1500 sanitary workers have been deployed for clearance of garbage, cleaning toilets, roads, four mada streets and also rest houses for Garuda Seva.