The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) decided on Tuesday to temporarily suspend the services of Sri Vari Sevaks in the Lord Venkateswara Temple and in Tirumala.
The decision was made amid a surge in coronavirus infection as concerns about the health of sevaks (volunteers) who come to the city in their hundreds from different parts of the country every day to serve the visiting pilgrims grows.
The decision also applies to all other formats of voluntary services offered in Tirumala such as Parakamani, Seniors and Laddu Prasada Seva. The TTD announced that it would announce the resumption of voluntary services in advance as soon as normality is restored.
Not a golden chariot
In the meantime, the TTD has canceled the golden chariot procession on April 25th.
The procession of the golden chariot is observed on the second day of the annual Vasanthotsavams, which is scheduled to begin on April 24th. Given concerns about the pandemic, the TTD decided to watch the three-day celebrations in Ekantham (privately).
The annual Spring Festival is generally celebrated at Vasanta Mandapam on the southwest corner of the hilltop temple, where Snapana Thirumanjanam is performed before the processional deities.
In connection with the festival, the TTD also refrained from performing all Arjitha Sevas (virtually) during the day in the temple.