Tirumala: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has begun distributing food to devotees waiting in the galleries to witness the Garuda Seva, a major event during the ongoing Brahmotsavams in Tirumala.
Devotees started arriving in the early hours, filling all 200 compartments in the galleries along the four Mada streets surrounding the shrine before noon. TTD officials stated that the galleries have a total seating capacity for two lakh pilgrims awaiting the Vahana Seva.
The distribution commenced at 5 am, with pilgrims receiving milk and coffee, followed by upma until 8 am. From 10 am to 12 pm, devotees were served with sambar rice, tomato rice, and sweet pongal, providing much-needed relief to those waiting.
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The distribution of food continued throughout the day, with pilgrims receiving pulihora in packets until snack distribution at 4 pm. In the evening, coffee, milk, and sundal were distributed. Annaprasadam continued to be provided until 6 pm in the North and East Mada Streets, which house the last galleries, just before the commencement of Garuda Vahanam at 7 pm.
TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and TTD Executive Officer A V Dharma Reddy inspected the galleries and interacted with the devotees, appreciating the services of Srivari Sevaks volunteers who have been diligently assisting devotees since the early hours.
Approximately 1,500 Srivari Sevaks were involved in food packing, distribution in galleries, and providing water assistance from the Health department. Senior officers were also praised for their efforts in supervising services across all four Mada Streets, under the direct oversight of TTD Joint Executive Officer Veerabrahmam.
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This year, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operated more trips, but there were fewer pilgrims transported from Tirupati to Tirumala for the Garuda Seva compared to the previous year. Till 5 pm, RTC operated 1,646 trips, transporting 55,349 pilgrims on Friday, which was 19,000 fewer than the previous year’s Garuda Seva.
Stringent security arrangements were made by the police, along with TTD security and vigilance teams, which resulted in some pilgrims facing inconvenience due to unfamiliar entry points into the galleries.
