Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu experiences a virtual reality-based darshan at the Pilgrim Experience Centre, inaugurated at the Vaikuntham Queue Complex in Tirumala on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) inaugurated a Pilgrim Experience Centre at the Vaikuntham Queue Complex, flagged off 32 electric buses and opened the S.V. Museum in Tirumala. He is on a two-day visit to the hill shrine.
The centre, set up at a cost of ₹4 crore, lets devotees experience 3D videos depicting the daily ‘kainkaryams’ and puja rituals performed for Lord Venkateswara, besides showcasing the significance of Tirumala. Devotees can also experience a virtual reality-based darshan of Tirumala at the centre, which Mr. Naidu tried after the inauguration.
Later, Mr. Naidu, along with the Ministers and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials, flagged off 32 electric buses at Narayanagiri Circle.
Reliance Foundation has provided 25 electric buses for transporting devotees in Tirumala, while Bharat Biotech contributed another seven. Nitin Seth, CEO of Reliance EV Mobility, and Suchitra Ella, Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, also handed over charging stations to the TTD.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu travels in one of the 32 electric buses he flagged off at Narayanagiri Circle in Tirumala on Wednesday. TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu is seen.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
During his visit to Tirumala in June, Anant Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance, had announced that 25 electric buses would be provided to the TTD for the convenience of devotees.
After flagging off the buses, Mr. Naidu travelled in one of them from Narayanagiri Circle to the museum.
The Chief Minister then inaugurated the SV Museum in Tirumala and saw its exhibits.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu looks at a musical instrument on display at the SV Museum in Tirumala on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The museum showcases the history and significance of Tirumala and the glory of Lord Venkateswara. The exhibits include models of jewellery offered to the deity on different occasions, including those associated with Sri Krishnadevaraya, and displays depicting historical aspects.
Crowns and ornaments worn by Lord Venkateswara have been recreated as 3D models and displayed at the museum.
Mr. Naidu also watched an AI-generated video depicting the wedding festivities of Lord Venkateswara on a panoramic screen.
The TTD has displayed exhibits on temples and sculptures located on the Tirumala hills, besides naturally formed geographical features. A 3D model of the seven hills has also been installed to familiarise devotees with the hill shrine.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu watches an AI-generated video on the wedding festivities of Lord Venkateswara at the SV Museum in Tirumala on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The museum also houses weapons used by kings of various kingdoms who visited Tirumala and later gave up their weapons and embraced spirituality.
Musical instruments used by devotees, including saint-composer Annamacharya, to praise Lord Venkateswara are also on display.
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 in the evening. He carried the ‘vastrams’, placed on a silver plate, on his head in a ceremonial procession to the main temple, and handed them over 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’.
With inputs from PTI.
Published – September 16, 2026 01:45 pm IST
