Naidu Opens Pilgrim Centre, SV Museum and Flags Off 32 Electric Buses in Tirumala

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated a Pilgrim Experience Centre, opened the S.V. Museum and flagged off 32 electric buses at Tirumala on Wednesday, the second day of his two-day visit to the hill shrine.

The Pilgrim Experience Centre, built at a cost of ₹4 crore near the Vaikuntham Queue Complex, offers devotees 3D videos of the daily kainkaryams and puja rituals performed for Lord Venkateswara, along with presentations on the significance of Tirumala. A virtual reality-based darshan of the hill shrine is also available, and the Chief Minister tried it after the inauguration.

At Narayanagiri Circle, Mr. Naidu flagged off the electric buses in the presence of Ministers and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials. The Reliance Foundation has donated 25 buses and Bharat Biotech seven. Nitin Seth, CEO of Reliance EV Mobility, and Suchitra Ella, Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, handed over charging stations to the TTD. The 25 buses were announced during a visit to Tirumala in June by Anant Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance.

After the flag-off, the Chief Minister travelled in one of the buses from Narayanagiri Circle to the museum.

The S.V. Museum showcases the history and significance of Tirumala and the glory of Lord Venkateswara. Its exhibits include models of jewellery offered to the deity on various occasions, among them pieces associated with Sri Krishnadevaraya, and displays on historical aspects. Crowns and ornaments worn by the deity have been recreated as 3D models.

Mr. Naidu watched an AI-generated video of the wedding festivities of Lord Venkateswara on a panoramic screen. The TTD has put on display exhibits on temples and sculptures of the Tirumala hills and their natural geographical features, along with a 3D model of the seven hills. Weapons used by kings from various kingdoms who visited Tirumala and later renounced them in favour of spirituality are also housed there, as are musical instruments used by devotees, including saint-composer Annamacharya, to praise the Lord.

On Tuesday, the first day of his visit, Mr. Naidu presented a pair of silk vastrams to Lord Venkateswara on behalf of the State government, the customary offering for the annual Brahmotsavams, which began that evening. He carried the vastrams on a silver plate on his head in a ceremonial procession to the main temple and handed them to the chief priest. His wife N. Bhuvaneswari, son and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, and daughter-in-law Nara Brahmini accompanied him. TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu and Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra presented them the laddu and theertha prasadam.