ord Balaji 'Garuda Seva' draws sea of devotees

Braving heavy rains, over 2.5 lakh devotees Sunday night witnessed the sacred Garuda Seva procession of LordVenkateswara at the famous hill shrine at nearby Tirumala, held as part of the ongoing annual 'Navaratri Brahmotsavam' festivities.

As part of the sacred spectacle, the centuries-old processional idol of the Lord Venkateswara, mounted on the golden 'GarudaVahana' (carrier), was taken in a grand manner around the ancient temple complex on the fifth day of the nine-day festivities, atempleofficialtoldPTI.

The idol was adorned with several sets of diamond ornaments, including a diamond crown, two-meter-long multi folded golden 'Sahasra Nama Kasula Haram' and a life-size precious gem set golden Makara Kanti Haram.

An estimated over 2.5 lakh devotees from various parts of the country offered worship at the procession, considered one of the most sacred events of the festival, theofficialsaid.

The devotees started congregating around the colossal temple complex on the hills right from Sunday afternoon, with many climbing the 10-km-long stairway leading to the shrine on foot from the foot of the hills here to witness the procession, he said.

Tirumala Tirupati Devathanams, which governs the shrine, has supplied milk for infants and food packets to the devotees.

A thick security blanket, involving over 5,000 police personnel, besides TTD Security and Vigilance workforce were put in place on the hills, the official said.