Archive · 6 Oct 2026
TTD Prepares for Navaratri Brahmotsavams Amid Pilgrim Surge
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is getting ready for the Navaratri Brahmotsavams.
More people than usual may visit because the festival falls during the Dussehra holidays.
Officials met to plan how devotees will enter, receive darshan, eat and get medical help.
They also discussed cleanliness, transport, safety, lights and cultural programmes.
Police and other government departments will work with TTD.
At the last nine-day festival, more than 73,500 people received darshan each day on average.
TTD says doing away with VIP and privilege darshans helped reduce crowding then.
Officials plan to use a similar approach for the coming celebrations.
TTD Executive Officer M Ravichandra reviewed Navaratri Brahmotsavam arrangements with senior officials in Tirumala on Monday.
Officials expect pilgrim turnout to be about 20% higher because the festival coincides with Dussehra holidays.
Plans cover darshan and crowd control, food, sanitation, medical care, transport, security, lighting and cultural programmes.
At the previous nine-day Salakatla Brahmotsavams, more than 73,500 devotees received darshan daily on average, from September 14 to 23.
TTD plans to repeat the previous festival’s approach, including dispensing with VIP break and privilege darshans to ease congestion.
- Who
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), district officials and police are preparing for the festival.
- What
- Officials reviewed arrangements for the Navaratri Brahmotsavams, including crowd management and pilgrim services.
- When
- The review meeting was held on Monday; the festival dates are not stated.
- Where
- Annamayya Bhavan, Tirumala.
- Why
- Officials expect about 20% more pilgrims because the festival coincides with the Dussehra holiday period.
Reasons for the approach
Considerations and context
Dispensing with VIP and privilege darshans
Reasons for the approach
The previous festival review said removing these darshan categories helped reduce congestion and made darshan more comfortable for devotees.
Considerations and context
The articles report TTD’s plan to use the same approach again but do not provide a contrary view or detail how it may affect VIP or privilege visitors.
Preparing for higher attendance
Reasons for the approach
Officials are planning coordinated crowd control and expanded essential services for an expected 20% increase in pilgrims.
Considerations and context
The expected increase is a forecast; the articles do not report actual attendance figures for the upcoming festival.
- Expected turnout change
- About 20% higher than usual, according to officials.
- Previous festival
- Nine-day Salakatla Brahmotsavams, from September 14 to September 23.
- Average daily darshan
- More than 73,500 devotees during the previous festival.
- Crowd-management approach
- TTD plans to adopt a similar system, including dispensing with VIP break and privilege darshans.
- Services under review
- Food, sanitation, healthcare, transport, security, lighting, cultural programmes and other facilities.
- Review chair
- TTD Executive Officer M Ravichandra.