Take steps for smooth Ratha Sapthami: JEO tells officials

Tirumala: Tirumala JEO  KS Sreenivasa Raju on Tuesday directed the TTD officials to make elaborate arrangements for the convenience of thousands of devotees expected to visit Tirumala to witness the holy Ratha Sapthami festival on February 12.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting at Annamayya Bhavan here, the JEO directed the officials of Annaprasadam, Engineering, Health, Garden, Sri Vari Temple, Srivari Sevakulu, Vigilance, SVBC channel and HDPP to take necessary steps for smooth and successful conduct of all seven vahanams’ procession to be held on that day.

He wanted the officials ensure all essential services like medical, medicine and ambulance be kept ready on Mada streets for any medical emergency for  devotees. About one lakh devotees are expected to throng the hills to witness the seven vahana sevas that would be conducted one after another from morning to evening, providing a rare opportunity to the devotees to have a glimpse of Lord Malayappa taking ride on the vahanms passing in the four Mada streets.

JEO said engineering department should install 20 LED screens on Mada streets and Annaprasadam department to provide drinking water, buttermilk, sambar rice, curd rice etc. in the galleries. The health department should ensure supply of drinking water etc. through Srivari Sevakulu and scouts and guides. Raju also directed the garden department to decorate the shrine with flowers green and banana plants all around.

He said in order to extend the number of food counters at the existing kitchen at PAC-2 will be expanded. In view of devotees rush on Ratha Sapthami day, all Arjitha sevas and special entry for aged, physically challenged and parents with infants were cancelled. The TTD vigilance officials were also directed to take steps for fool proof security to devotees on  the Mada street galleries and at Swami Pushkarani temple tank.