Garuda Seva festival in Tirumala. File
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In a revolutionary decision, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the sole governing body of the temple of Lord Venkateswara, has raised the accident insurance cover for pilgrims and employees from ₹3 lakh to ₹10 lakh, while approving salary enhancements for employees across 48 categories.
The sweeping decisions come as the TTD prepares for the September 15-23 Brahmotsavams, when Tirumala is expected to witness a substantial surge in pilgrim footfall. The measures encompass pilgrim safety, employee welfare, crowd management, uninterrupted prasadam supply and environmental sustainability.
The enhanced insurance protection will be implemented through two schemes in association with the LIC. In another significant employee-welfare measure, CPS and MCS employees will be brought under the Employees Health Fund (EHF), on par with OPS employees, extending them medical assistance.
With the nine-day annual festival rush expected to put considerable pressure on the ‘laddu’ prasadam, the board has resolved to maintain a buffer stock of 10 lakh laddus to ensure uninterrupted supply to devotees. The TTD has also sought the State government’s approval to engage 400 additional workers in the temple kitchen to augment production.
Garuda Seva, the centrepiece of the festivities, has received special attention, with officials anticipating a 20% increase in footfall over regular festival days. Additional barricades, control rooms, drinking-water facilities and annadanam arrangements are being put in place to prevent congestion and minimise inconvenience.
Security will be reinforced with 5,600 personnel, including 3,000 police personnel, as the hill shrine braces for the festival.
The celebrations will also acquire an international cultural dimension, with 27 troupes from 25 States and folk and cultural artistes from Singapore and Japan scheduled to perform during the ceremonial processions. The TTD has earmarked ₹1.6 crore for their travel and accommodation.
The Brahmotsavams will commence on September 15 with the ceremonial hoisting of the Garuda flag. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to offer silk clothes to Lord Venkateswara on behalf of the State government and launch electric buses, a newly modernised museum and the TTD’s calendars and diaries for the ensuing year (2027).
Meanwhile, the TTD has initiated a biogas project to convert wet waste collected from Tirumala hotels into fuel for the Srivari Nitya Annadanam complex. It has also approved a special Padmapeetam at the Narayanavanam temple.
The Navaratri Brahmotsavams will commence on October 12.
Published – September 09, 2026 05:04 pm IST
