On the first evening of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams in Tirumala, Sri Malayappaswamy, the processional deity of Sri Venkateswara Swamy took a celestial ride on Pedda Sesha Vahanam and thrilled the devotees who came in thousands to witness the event on Friday evening.
Adi Sesha the seven-hooded Serpent Snake God is considered as one of the most powerful carriers and is popularly called the Pedda Sesha Vahanam.
Aadisesha is the seat on which Lord Sri Maha Vishnu rests in His abode Vaikuntha. Tirumala Hills the abode of Lord Venkateswara is said to be the manifestation of Adisesha.
The idols of Malayappa Swamy flanked on either side by His two divine consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi mounted atop the golden Pedda Sesha Vahanam were taken for a celestial ride along the four mada streets to bless the devotees.
TTD EO Sri J Syamala Rao along with the Additional EO Sri Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and CVSO Sri Sridhar inaugurated the Media Center in the first floor of Rambhageecha 2 Rest House in Tirumala on Friday noon.
Speaking on the occasion, the EO said, the media plays a vital role in taking forward the glory of Sri Venkateswara and various other pilgrim amenities extended by TTD to the devotees in a big way to the outside world.
Keeping in view your valuable services, the Media Center with all facilities including wi-fi connection, computers, scanners, telephone facility, LED TV have been provided till the completion of annual Brahmotsavams. An exclusive Annaprasadam facility has also been arranged for the media persons in the second floor of RBRH 2 till the annual fete.
Our PR department will issue press notes and photographs from time to time to all the print and electronic media regarding the various religious activities during these ten days and give wide publicity for the better information of the global devotees of Sri Venkateswara, he maintained.
Chief PRO Dr T Ravi, PRO(FAC)Ms.P Neelima and other office staff, media personnel were also present.
The sacred Hills of Tirumala should reverberate with ''Govinda Nama Smarana'' alone, stongly wished the Honourable CM of AP Sri N Chandrababu Naidu.
After darshan, speaking on the occasion he said, he prayed Sri Venkateswara Swamy for the wellbeing of the humanity.
Adding further he said, lakhs of devotees are being anticipated to participate in the ongoing nine day annual Brahmotsavam.
Appreciating the efforts of TTD officials, in improving Annaprasadam, cleanliness, various other pilgrim initiatives.
Later he participated in the Pedda Sesha Vahana Seva.
Endowments Minister Sri A Ramnarayana Reddy, local MLA Sri A Srinivasulu, EO Sri J Syamala Rao, Additional EO Sri Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and others were present.
TTD EO Sri J Syamala Rao along with the Additional EO Sri Ch Venkaiah Chowdary inaugurated the exhibition stalls in Tirumala on Friday.
As a part of it they visited the Duryodhana Parabhavam episode placed in the entrance of the expo followed by the Seshachala ranges diorama arranged by the Forest wing, different sculptures including wood, cement, stone and metal by the students of TTD-run Sri Venkateswara Institute of Traditional Sculpture and Architecture(SVITSA) college, the photo exhibition by the TTD Public Relations Wing with the concept of Nadu-Nedu, a rare collection of photos, with a comparison at the past and in the present about Tirumala, temple and other important places.
The EO, Additional EO appreciated the range of stalls placed by different departments.
JEO Smt Goutami, CVSO Sri Sridhar, HoDs of Garden, Sri Srinivasulu, Forest Sri Srinivasulu, SVITSA Principal Sri Venkatramana Reddy, CPRO Dr T Ravi and others were also present.
The Srivari Seva volunteers should feel the presence of Sri Venkateswara in every devotee and offer their best possible services to them with utmost devotion, dedication and discipline, asserted TTD EO Sri J Syamala Rao.
While addressing the huge gathering of Srivari Sevaks at the Asthana Mandapam in Tirumala on Friday, the EO said, TTD has invited nearly 4000 Srivari Sevaks to offer services to the pilgrims at various designated places during the annual brahmotsavams. Lauding their services to the pilgrims especially while distributing Annaprasadam, water, Laddu Prasadams, managing queue lines in Tirumala temple, Kalyanakatta, outside places and many more activities he said, the Srivari Sevaks have become a supporting arm to TTD in offering best amenities to the multitude of visiting pilgrims.
Without the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, it is not possible for all the 4000 Brahmotsavam slot Srivari Sevaks to come here for offering services to pilgrims. Make use of this divine opportunity provided by Srivaru and offer services to the devotees with commitment.
Earlier, in his address, the Additional EO Sri Ch Venkaiah Chowdary said, the Srivari Seva volunteers are hailing from different states across the country to render services to the pilgrims. As a token of appreciation for their valuable and selfless services, TTD has recently restored Srivari Darshan facility through Supatham entry and also provided an exclusive vehicle for commuting the sevaks to their duty points.
WHISTLE WHIZARD PERFORMANCE MESMERIZES
At the beginning of the meeting, a special programme by renowned Whistle Artist, Dr K Siva Prasad from Bapatla, was organised. The whistle masestro who showcased his rare talent for over an hour singing Annamacharya Sankeertans and Bhajans through whistle mesmerized the audience.
Both the TTD EO and Additional EO appreciated the versatile artist who has to his credit having performed in over 30 countries giving 16000 odd performances in the last 45years.
Chief PRO Dr T Ravi, PRO(FAC) Ms P Neelima, Srivari Seva staff, senior sevaks, srivari sevaks hailing from AP, TS, TN, Karnataka and Maharastra were also present.
The Honourable CM of AP Sri N Chandrababu Naidu released the TTD diaries and calendars for the year 2025 at Ranganayakula Mandapam on Friday evening.
It included 12 sheet calendars -13.50 lakhs, big diaries – 8.25 lakh, small diaries – 1.50 lakhs, tabletop calendars – 1.25 lakhs, Srivari big calendars 3.50 lakhs, Ammavari big calendars -10 thousand, Srivaru-Padmavati Ammavaru calendars – 4 lakhs, Telugu Panchangam – 2.50 lakh copies, 6-sheet Calendars -50,000
Endowments Minister Sri Ramnarayana Reddy, EO Sri J Syamala Rao, Additional EO Sri Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and other dignitaries, TTD officials and others were also present.
All these calendars and diaries will be made available in all TTD book stalls located in Tirumala and Tirupati initially and later in the outside places for the sake of devotees soon.