TIRUMALA: The temple town of Tirumala witnessed an unprecedented turnout of people for the auspicious ‘Garuda Seva' festival observed on Tuesday, the fifth day of the Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara.
Devotees, particularly from the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and various parts of the State, started descending atop the temple town since Tuesday morning. The second ghat road leading to Tirumala experienced heavy vehicular traffic.
Crowds start swelling
On the other hand, tens of thousands of devotees reached the hill town on foot. The crowd started swelling as the day progressed and the open-top galleries constructed along the Mada streets encircling the holy shrine, exclusively for the benefit of devotees, were full to their capacity by evening. The processional deity of Lord Malayappa mounted atop the Golden ‘Garuda' vahanam was taken around the Mada streets in a celestial procession. The deity was adorned with very rare and precious jewels, including the centuries old Makara Kanti, Lakshmi haram, Sahasranamavali haram, besides other diamond-studded ornaments.
Vehicles regulated
Several areas in the town were choked and all the parking lots were packed. The traffic police imposed curbs and regulated the movement of vehicles. The town reverberated with pilgrim activities and wore a festive look.
Devotees entering the Mada streets were thoroughly frisked by the local police and the TTD security sleuths at all the entry points.
Earlier in the morning, the Lord was brought out in a grand procession donning the ‘Mohini' avatharam.
The deity was mounted atop the exquisitely decorated ivory palanquin and was taken around the Mada streets encircling the shrine. About 3,000 security personnel, including the district police, have been drafted for bandobust duty for the festival.
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