The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is making elaborate arrangements for the annual Rathasapthami festival of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, scheduled to be celebrated with grandeur on January 25.

Observed to mark the birth anniversary of Surya Bhagavan, Rathasapthami holds immense spiritual significance, as the deity of Tirumala temple is taken out in procession on seven different vahanas in a single day, offering devotees a rare and sacred opportunity for darshan.

The celebrations will commence in the early hours of the day at sunrise with the Surya Prabha Vahana Seva. This will be followed by a series of divine processions in the Chinna Sesha Vahana, Garuda Vahana, Hanumantha Vahana, Kalpavriksha Vahana, and Sarvabhoopala Vahana, during which the Lord will bless devotees along the four Mada streets of Tirumala.

The grand festival will conclude at night with the Chandra Prabha Vahana Seva, marking the completion of the seven vahana processions in a single day. As this rare occasion enables devotees to witness all seven vahana sevas within 24 hours, lakhs of pilgrims from across the country are expected to converge on Tirumala.

In view of the anticipated heavy influx of devotees, TTD officials have initiated comprehensive measures to ensure smooth conduct of the festival and a hassle-free pilgrimage experience. Special focus has been placed on systematic management of darshan queue lines, uninterrupted drinking water supply, large-scale distribution of annaprasadam, crowd regulation and strengthened security arrangements. Additional staff deployment, medical services and sanitation measures have also been put in place.

TTD authorities stated that all arrangements have been completed to ensure that the Rathasapthami celebrations provide devotees with a spiritually enriching and memorable experience, while maintaining safety, order and comfort throughout the festivities.