All eyes on Tirumala Brahmotsavam spectacle beginning Saturday

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has made preparations to ensure smooth conduct of the events. “We are ready for the holy event and expect more crowds than last year in view of prosperous growth in the economy and peace and tranquility all around the country,” said TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal. The festival begins with a ritual called Ankuraarpana and Senaadhipathi Utsavam held a-day before the commencement of Brahmotsavam. The Garuda flag will be hoisted on Saturday signalling the commencement of the nine-day festival. 

During the Brahmotsavam, Lord Malayappaswamy will be taken out in a procession on Pedda-Sesha-Vahanam, Chinna-Sesha-Vahanam, Hamsa-Vahanam, Simha-Vahanam, Muthyaala-Pallaki-Vahanam, Kalpavruksha-Vahanam, Sarvabhoopala-Vahanam and Mohini-Avatharam. On the fifth day evening, the Lord will be taken out in Garuda-Vahanam. It is a unique occasion when thousands gather to witness the procession known as Garudotsavam. On the sixth day, the Lord rides on the Hanumantha-Vahanam and Gaja-Vahanam. 

In between the two processions, there will be Swarna Rathotsavam when Lord Venkateswara rides on a golden chariot. On the seventh day, the Lord will be taken out in a procession on the Surya and Chandra-Prabha Vahanams.  

Next to Garuda seva, the Rathotsavam on the eighth day attracts a large gathering of devotees to Tirumala. On the evening of the eighth day the Lord graces his devotees on the Ashwa-Vahanam. The Chakra-Snaanam will be held on ninth day morning.

Special trains will be operated from here to Tirupati from September 23 till October 2 in view of the annual Brahmotsavam festival at Tirupati. 

Train no: 05601 Arakkonam – Renigunta passenger special train will leave Arakkonam at 3 pm and reach Renigunta at 5 pm, Train no: 05602 Renigunta – Chennai Beach passenger special train will leave Renigunta at 5.35 pm and reach Chennai Beach at 9 pm from September 23 to October 2.   Train No.05603 Chennai Beach – Arakkonam passenger special train during the same period will be run on convenient timings. Train No.56001 Chennai Central – Arakkonam Fast Passenger train scheduled to leave Chennai Central at 1.15 pm will be diverted to slow line at Pattabiram West Siding to provide stoppage at Thiruninravur from September 23 to October 2. 

A special fare train (no: 07116) from Kochuveli to Hyderabad via Coimbatore, Katpadi and Tirupati will be operated on October 9, 16, 23 and 30.  It will leave Kochuveli at 8.15 pm Mondays and reach Hyderabad at 3.30 am on Wednesdays. Reservation for the above trains will commence at 8 am on September 22. Cancelled The following train services are cancelled due to heavy rains and flooding in NorthEast Frontier Railway. Thiruvananthapuram – Guwahati (via Chennai Central) Express, on September 24, Chennai Central – New Jalpaiguri Express on September 27 and October 4, Tambaram / Chennai Egmore – Dibrugarh Express, on September 28 and Yesvantpur – Kamakhya (via Chennai Central) Express on September 30 and October 7 and Guwahati Express on October 2 have been cancelled.