Chandrababu Naidu inaugurates Pilgrim Experience Centre, SV Museum; 32 electric buses in Tirumala

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has a virtual reality-based darshan at the Pilgrim Experience Centre, which was 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 the Pilgrim Experience Center at Vaikuntham Queue Complex, flagged off 32 electric buses and inaugurated the SV Museum at Tirumala. He is on a two-day visit to the shrine on the hill.

Set up at a cost of ₹ 4 million, the center allows devotees to experience 3D videos depicting the daily rituals of ‘kainkaryams’ and pujas performed for Lord Venkateswara, besides showing the significance of Tirumala. Devotees can also experience a virtual reality-based darshan of Tirumala at the centre, which Mr Naidu tried out after the inauguration.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu flagged off 32 electric buses in Tirumala on priority for environment protection. Later he traveled by electric bus. Reliance donated 25 buses to TTD and 7 buses to Bharat Biotech.#tirumala#ChandrababuNaidu… pic.twitter.com/KZgmroYDhY

— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) September 16, 2026

Later, Mr. Naidu along with ministers and officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) flagged off 32 electric buses in Narayanagiri circle.

Reliance Foundation provided 25 electric buses to transport devotees in Tirumala, while Bharat Biotech contributed another seven. Nitin Seth, CEO, Reliance EV Mobility, and Suchitra Ella, CEO, Bharat Biotech, also handed over charging stations to TTD.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu travels in one of the 32 electric buses flagged off at Narayanagiri Circle in Tirumala on Wednesday. TTD chairman BR Naidu is seen. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

During his visit to Tirumala in June, Anant Ambani, chief executive of Reliance, announced that TTD would be provided with 25 electric buses for the convenience of devotees.

After stopping the buses, Mr. Naidu traveled in one of them from Narayanagiri circle to the museum.

The Chief Minister then inaugurated the SV Museum at Tirumala and inspected 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. Exhibits include models of jewelery offered to the deity on various occasions, including those associated with Sri Krishnadevaraya, and displays depicting historical aspects.

The crowns and ornaments worn by Lord Venkateswara have been recreated as 3D models and displayed in the museum.

Mr. Naidu also watched an AI-generated video of Lord Venkateswara’s wedding celebrations on a panoramic screen.

Apart from the naturally formed geographical features, the TTD has exhibited exhibits on the temples and sculptures located on the Tirumala hills. A 3D model of the seven hills has also been installed to familiarize the devotees with the hill shrine.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu watches an AI-generated video of Lord Venkateswara’s wedding celebrations at the SV Museum in Tirumala on Wednesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The museum also houses the weapons used by the kings of various kingdoms who visited Tirumala and later gave up their weapons and embraced spirituality.

Also on display are musical instruments used by devotees, including the saintly composer Annamacharya, in praise of Lord Venkateswara.

At Vaikuntham Q Complex in Tirumala Rs. CM Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated and inspected the Pilgrim Experience Center set up with 4 million crowns. #tirumala#ChandrababuNaidu#AndhraPradeshpic.twitter.com/w0t1a8bSfh

— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) September 16, 2026

On Tuesday, the first day of his visit, Mr. Naidu presented Lord Venkateswara on behalf of the state government with a pair of “silk vastrams”, the customary offering for the annual Brahmotsavams that began in the evening. In the ceremonial procession to the main temple, he carried the ‘vastrams’ placed on a silver plate on his head and handed them over to the high priest.

His wife N. Bhuvaneswari, son and IT Minister Nara Lokesh and daughter-in-law Nara Brahmini accompanied him. TTD Chairman BR Naidu and Managing Director Muddada Ravichandra presented them with laddu and ‘theertha prasadam’.

With inputs from PTI.

Published – 16 Sep 2026 13:45 IST