No processions to be carried out in four mada streets during Tirumala Brahmotsavams this year

TIRUPATI: The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact religious formalities at the world renowned Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, where the annual Brahmotsavams will be held in 'Ekantham' within the temple premises for the first time in the history of the ancient hill temple.
Tirumala Brahmotsavams - the spectacular utsavam of the vahanams is a nine-day annual festival which is celebrated with utmost pomp and gaiety.The highlight of this festival is the jumbo arrangements the temple body makes in terms of gigantic floral and electrical illuminations, colourful processions of Lord Venkateswara on different celestial carriers, spiritual expo, cultural programmes by renowned artistes from across the country etc.
The nine-day festival draws huge pilgrim crowds from across the globe every year. But the annual festival will lose all its sheen this year as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact the whole world.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams trust board which met under the chairmanship of YV Subba Reddy announced on Friday that this year's Salakatla Brahmotsavams will be performed to Lord Venkateswara inside the main temple complex only. This means none of the Lord's processions will be carried out along the four mada streets encircling the hill temple.
Citing Covid-19 pandemic as the sole reason for deciding to conduct the nine-day festival in Ekantham without allowing devotees, TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy noted that since there are two annual Brahmotsavams this year, TTD will re-evaluate the situation once again in September on how to execute the second Brahmotsavams which falls in the month of October this year.
"If by God's grace the pandemic will lose its intensity by September, October's Brahmotsavams will be carried out as usual. Until then, we have the responsibility of ensuring the visiting devotees as well as TTD staffers and priests do not fall prey to the global pandemic," asserted YV Subba Reddy.
"The World health organization and ICMR have also predicted that the Covid-19 pandemic will lose its intensity by September. Though we have decided to conduct the first Brahmotsavams in Ekantham in September, we are hopeful that the second Brahmotsavams in October will be performed in all glory," noted TTD chairman.