Devotion, grandeur mark Garuda Seva at Tirumala

The Garuda Seva, a grand religious ceremony, unfolded on Saturday during the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, drawing tens of thousands of devoted followers. The majestic procession featured Lord Malayappa Swamy, seated atop the Garuda Vahanam, as it wove through the hill shrine's four Mada streets.

Each devotee was treated to a breathtaking spectacle, as the deity was adorned with exquisite jewelry, including the Makara Kanti, a five-layered Lakshmi Kasula Haram, Sahasra Namavali Haram, a diamond-studded crown, and more traditional ornaments. As the procession commenced 30 minutes early, the crowd erupted in religious enthusiasm.

The Mada streets were packed, spilling over into feeder routes, with food and water supplies being maintained continuously. Despite the impressive turnout, it was lower than previous years, attributed to two Brahmotsavams being held in the same year and the absence of holidays. While stringent crowd-control measures were in place, they drew complaints from devotees who faced restricted movement, long queues, and lengthy walks.

The district police, criticized for their handling of crowd management during a previous stampede, took a particularly restrictive approach. Authorities remained optimistic about the crowd swelling during the procession and extended the event until 11:30 p.m. to accommodate more followers.