Sudden downpour brings relief to thousands of pilgrims gathered for Tirupati's Garuda Seva

Thousands of pilgrims gathering in Tirupati for the annual Garuda Seva were caught in a sudden downpour that swept through the temple city, bringing relief from the day's heat. The rain drenched crowds arriving at the railway station and the APSRTC central bus station, many of whom were preparing to trek up to Tirumala for the celestial spectacle scheduled for Saturday (September 19, 2026).

Weather shifts from sun to rain

The temple city experienced hot and sunny conditions until the afternoon. By evening, thick clouds blanketed both Tirupati and the Tirumala hills, triggering sudden and continuous rainfall that lowered temperatures significantly.

The Garuda Seva is being performed as part of the ongoing annual Salakatla Brahmotsavams at Tirumala. While the pilgrim town below witnessed heavy rain, the hill town of Tirumala remained dry. No disturbance was reported to the procession of deities around the temple, allowing the scheduled rituals to proceed without disruption.

The rainfall provided much-needed respite to the thousands of devotees who had converged on the temple city for the auspicious event.

Source: The Hindu