Pradeep Vennelakanti & Dusi Venkateswara Rao Tirumala

ChiefMinister N Chandrababu Naidu will present silk robes to Lord Venkateswara on behalf of the state government during the annual Srivari Brahmotsavams at Tirumala on September 15. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has completed preparations for the nine-day festival.

Speaking to the media after the TTD trust board meeting in Tirumala on Wednesday, chairman B R Naidu and executive officer M Ravichandra said that the annual Brahmotsavams will be celebrated from September 15 to 23. The festivities will formally begin with Ankurarpanam at 7 pm on September 14, followed by the Dwajarohanam ceremony between 5.30 pm and 7 pm on September 15 in Meena Lagnam.

Following Dwajarohanam, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will offer the traditional silk garments to Lord Venkateswara. He will later take part in the Pedda Sesha Vahana Seva scheduled for 9 pm. On September 16, the Chief Minister is scheduled to inaugurate 25 electric buses donated by Reliance to TTD and unveil the TTD calendars and diaries for 2027. In view of the Chief Minister’s visit, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place at Tirumala.

The chairman said all arrangements had been completed to conduct the annual Brahmotsavams on a grand scale and ensure that devotees do not face difficulties during the festival. With a large number of pilgrims expected to converge on Tirumala, the temple administration has strengthened arrangements across darshan, accommodation, Annaprasadam, transport, security, medical services, sanitation, power supply and floral decorations.

Special focus has been placed on the Garuda Seva, which is expected to draw a particularly heavy pilgrim turnout. While 6.13 lakh devotees were served Annaprasadam during Garuda Seva last year, TTD has made arrangements to cater to around 9.30 lakh devotees this year, representing an increase of nearly 52 per cent. Security will be maintained by around 5,600 personnel, including 3,000 police personnel.

The temple administration has also decided to maintain a buffer stock of 10 lakh Srivari laddus to meet the increased demand during the Brahmotsavams. Sanitation arrangements have been stepped up as well, with the number of sanitation workers in Tirumala being increased from 3,000 to 3,300 during the festival period.

The Brahmotsavams will also feature a series of cultural programmes ahead of the Vahana Sevas. Artists representing 27 groups from 25 states, besides performers from Singapore and Germany, are expected to participate. TTD has earmarked Rs 1.60 crore towards their travel and accommodation.

Meanwhile, the 2026 booklet containing details of the annual Srivari Salakatla and Navaratri Brahmotsavams was unveiled during the board meeting. TTD Chairman BR Naidu, Executive Officer M Ravichandra and board members jointly released the booklet. It may be noted that the Navaratri Brahmotsavams are scheduled to commence on October 12.

The chairman said that TTD officials are coordinating closely with the police and district administration to manage the movement of pilgrims and provide essential facilities throughout the festival.