Lakhs of devotees converged at the temple of Lord Venkateswara to take part in the auspicious ‘Garuda Seva’ organised on the fifth day of the ongoing Brahmotsavams at Tirumala on Friday, September 22.
The pilgrim crowd which started swelling since Thursday evening peaked by the afternoon with all the open top galleries along the mada streets full to their capacity. Devotees preferred to stay put in the galleries after the procession of ‘Mohini Avataram’ braving the scorching sun, for fear of losing their seat in the heavy rush.
It was a testing time for the ‘Nitya Annadanam’ officials who ensured an uninterrupted supply of free food packets, buttermilk and water sachets to the pilgrims who remained on the mada streets and those waiting in the darshan lines.
