9 hours ago
Devotees turn up in huge numbers at Kanaka Durga temple
The Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri echoed with chants of 'Jai Durga Bhavani' as devotees turned in huge numbers, here on Sunday. In view of the heavy rush, the temple authorities suspended the protocol darshan between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., prioritising public access during peak hours.
The Indrakeeladri witnessed a massive influx of devotees on the occasion of 'Aashaada maasam'. The temple was abuzz with spiritual fervour as devotees from across the region gathered to offer traditional Asadhe sare (ritual offerings) to the presiding deity, Goddess Kanaka Durga.
The women devotees brought 'bonum' and sari on their heads to present it to the presiding deity. Girl children decked up as the goddess visited the temple, adding to the festive fervour.
Noting the unusually high turnout, Kanaka Durga temple executive officer V.K. Seena Nayak said that special arrangements were made for sare-bearing groups, at both the lift access points and the main darshan routes.
The EO, who oversaw the crowd management and supervised the functioning of the queue lines within the temple premises, reviewed the operations of the free daily 'prasadam' and 'annaprasadam' (meals) distribution services. In a statement, he clarified that temple volunteers have been strategically deployed at key locations such as footwear counters, coconut-breaking areas, and cloakrooms to prevent unauthorised collection of extra fees from devotees.
The EO also announced that the 'Sakambari Devi Utsavam' will be held grandly from July 8 to 10 during the period from 'Aashada Suddha Trayodasi' to 'Pournami'. As in the previous years, the three-day festival will be observed with traditional 'Trayahnika Deeksha' (three-day spiritual vow) and other rituals. Devotees are encouraged to participate in the festivities and can offer cash donations, vegetables, and fruits towards the Sakambari celebrations. The devotees were requested to contribute generously, he added.
