There was a festive atmosphere on September 28, 1921 in Peddangadi Veedhi (then called ‘Pedda Bazar’), the main commercial street in the little village of Tirupati ahead of the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi. The crowd was bursting at seams with people walking all the way from the nearby villages to see the scrawny man in a loincloth who filled patriotism in every heart.
It was a momentous occasion for the residents to watch the Mahatma walk along with them and address a public meeting. There were street light points at major junctions, which are known today as Balaji Colony Circle, Town Club Circle, Hathiramji Mutt (Poola Matam) and Nalugukalla Mandapam.
