TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is making elaborate arrangements for the annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara to be held from September 29 to October 7.Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country are expected to throng the hill shrine during the nine-day temple festival.Speaking to media here on Saturday, TTD executive officer LV Subramanyam that all arrangements were being made for the smooth conduct of the event.He said in view of heavy pilgrim influx, the RTC has been asked to ply 386 buses between Tirumala and Tirupati making 1,543 trips for transporting about one lakh pilgrims every day on an average.As many as 485 buses will be operated on the Garuda Seva day to clear heavy pilgrim rush,’’ he said.He said they have requested the RTC and police departments to provide an exclusive bus bay at the Tirupati railway station to transport pilgrims from there to Alipiri and Srinivasam pilgrim amenities complex.He appealed to the devotees, particularly youth, who are trekking Tirumala hills, to utilise the Srivari Metlu, another footpath route to Tirumala from the foothills.He said a baggage counter will be set up there.Subramanyam said the TTD was releasing 12 spiritual books during the Brahmotsavams.For the convenience of pilgrims staying in various mutts in Tirumala during Brahmotsavams, a temporary Kalyanakatta will be arranged at the proximity of the mutts.Services of various barber associations will be utilised.He said all Arjita Sevas and VIP break darshan stand cancelled during Brahmotsavams.He appealed to the devotees not to throw coins on the processional deities as it was found to be damaging the ornaments and sometimes even the idol itself.The newly constituted TTD board, which will be meeting in Tirumala shortly will also review the arrangements and formally invite the chief minister and other dignitaries for the Brahmotsavams.District collector Solomon Arokiyaraj said a special committee will fix the fare for taxis plying on the ghat section to ensure that pilgrims are not charged exorbitant amounts.He said prescribed rate stickers will be pasted on taxis.Similar measures will also be taken to contain hawkers from fleecing devotees.Earlier, the EO addressed a meeting of heads of TTD, district collector Solomon Arokiaraj, SP J Prabhakar Rao, RTC Tirupati RM Nagasivudu to chalk out a plan for the smooth conduct of the temple festival.
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