Arrangements on in full swing for Tirumala twin Brahmotsavams

Elaborate security and other arrangements are being made at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala for the smooth conduct of forthcoming twin Brahmotsavams.

Due to "Adhika Masam" (extra month) this year with 13 months that falls once in three years against the usual 12 months in the traditional Hindu lunar calendar, two Brahmotsavams lasting nine days each would be conducted this year, a temple official told PTI.

Previously, twin Brahmotsavams had been conducted here in the months of September and October in 2015.

Of the twin Brahmostavams, the first nine-day festivities called Adhika Masa Brahmotsavm would begin on September 13 with the hoisting of Garuda flag by the high priests, amid chanting of vedic hymns, atop the sacred golden flag mast (Dwajasthambham) at the hill temple, the official said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on behalf of the state government, would make an offering of a set of silk cloths to the hill temple on the commencement day of festivities, the official said.

The "Garuda Seva" that attracts lakhs of devotees would take place on the fifth day of the festivities (September 17) and the chariot procession (Rathostavam) would be held on September 20, the official added.

The second Brahmotsavam popularly known as Navaratri Brahmotsavam would commence on October 10, the official said.

Security has been tightened in Tirumala including at the 10-km long walkers' stone stairway leading to the hill shrine from Tirupati and the vehicular routes.

As part of enhanced security arrangements over 280 surveillance cameras have been installed inside the shrine and all along the streets surrounding the temple complex, he said.

Ahead of the Brahmotsavams, on September 11, a purification ceremony called Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam would be conducted to clean the entire temple complex with a mix of herbs, turmeric, vermilion and camphor, he added.