3.4 lakh devotees throng Tirumala for Ratha Sapthami festivities

Tirupati: A record number of 3.4 lakh devotees took part in the Ratha Sapthami festivities at Tirumala on Jan 25, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) executive officer Anil Kumar Singhal said on Tuesday. Nearly 1.8 lakh devotees were seated in the galleries around the four mada streets, who have witnessed the highly venerated Garuda Seva procession from close quarters, he added."Over 14,000 vehicles reached Tirumala on the festival eve, leading to the unprecedented pilgrim rush. Free food was distributed to all 3.4 lakh devotees who took part in the festivities. TTD also handled 3.5 lakh bags and gadgets this year. Around 23,000 devotees availed the free medical services arranged by the temple body. Nearly 98 percent of devotees expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by TTD for the Radhasapthami festival this year," Singhal said. He also complimented APSRTC for ferrying 1.4 lakh devotees on the twin ghat roads, and the police and TTD vigilance department for making elaborate security arrangements and ensuring an incident-free ‘Mini Brahmotsavams'.TTD additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary said the integrated command control centre established by the temple trust at Tirumala played a key role in facilitating a hassle-free procession darshan for devotees.