As part of sacred spectacle, the idol of Lord Venkateswara, adorned with diamond ornaments, mounted on a tastefully decorated golden 'Garuda Vahanam' (carrier) was taken out in a grand procession, temple sources said.
The vast open space in front of the shrine and also the open-top galleries on either side of the streets encircling the over 2000-year-old shrine were jampacked with devotees, particularly from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, they said.
Over one lakh devotees had reached the hills on foot travelling through the 11 km long stairway leading to the shrine from Alipiri point, the foot of the hills during the last 24 hours, the sources said.
A thick security blanket was put in place on the hills for the most auspicious event of the nine day festivals.
