The nine-day 'Navarathri' annual 'Brahmotsavam' festival at the Venkateswara temple on Tirumala, will be held from September 25, according to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) authorities.

The festival will begin formally with the hoisting of the temple flag. The festival will conclude with the ritual of 'chakrasanam'- dipping of Lord Venkateswara's weapon 'disc'(sudharsana chakra) in the temple tank in the morning and the lowering of the temple flag in the evening.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister S Rajasekhara Reddy will offer silk robes to Lord Venkateswara on the inaugural day.

Meanwhile, TTD Chairman B Karunakar Reddy said that the security system at the vehicle checking point at Alipiri, the foot of the first of the seven hills, will be upgraded.

Scanners would be installed at the point, he added.

Asked about instances of TTD employees demanding money at various places in Tirumala, he said the TTD Board was looking into this charge with concern. A committee would be formed soon to curb the menace of the employees demanding 'money' particularly at the hair tonsuring centre and the choultries.

He said the TTD Board, which was against appointing part time teachers for TTD run schools, would, however, discuss the issue and give it due consideration.

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