Nine-day Brahmotsavam is going on presently in the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateswara Tirumala. On this occasion, the temple authorities counted the 'hundi' which registered a record income of Rs. 20.24 crore in the last eight days.

Jointly addressing the media, TTD EO D. Sambasiva Rao and Tirumala-based JEO K.S. Srinivasa Raju said on Tuesday that "the proceeds received from the hundi was 33.5 percent more than what was collected last year. While about 6.97 lakh devotees had the darshan of the presiding deity as against 5.19 lakh pilgrims last year, the sale of laddus shot up to over 29.96 lakh as against 22.66 lakh last, year registering an increase of about 32.26 percent. The income earned by way of rent on the cottages and guest houses stood at Rs. 1.64 crores as against Rs. 1.22 crore last year."

Statistics also revealed that "more than 15 lakh devotees availed themselves of free food under the Nitya annadanam scheme as against 9.14 lakh last year, an increase of 64.59 percent. Breakfast and repasts stood at a towering high of 8.98 lakh compared to 4.31 lakh last year. The Kalyanakatta registered an increase by 42.52 percent with more than 3.45 lakh devotees getting their heads tonsured as against 2.39 lakh last year, while the proceeds netted by the TTD’s publication shot up to Rs. 57.79 lakh with the inclusion of the New Year diaries and calendars."

The medical department provided figures which claimed that "64,989 patients have been treated as against 38,360 last year, which denoted that one out of every 10 pilgrims availed themselves of treatment."

Apart from this, the auspicious ‘Gopuja’ will be observed every Friday at the hill shrine. TTD Chairman Chadalawada Krishnamurthy spoke to the media on Wednesday.

Mr. Krishnamurthy said "the ritual would commence on October 14 and that the TTD, as the biggest custodian of the Hindu Sanatana Dharma, would do its part in the protection of cows. A state-of-the-art goshala would come up near Palamaner with emphasis on desi breeds too."

Mr. Krishnamurthy said, "Srivari Brahmotsavams were conducted peacefully due to the combined efforts of the TTD, Vigilance, Police and the RTC along with the services of Srivari Sevakulu, Scouts and Guides and the performances by bhajan groups, artists, which were of high standard."

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BY M.DIVYA SRI