Dasara festivities begin at Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada
In Short
- Goddess appears as Bala Tripura Sundari Devi on first day; 1 lakh devotees have darshan
- Kesineni Chinni resolves media pass issue
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Priests performing special pujas to Goddess Kanaka Durga during Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri on Sunday
Vijayawada: Annual Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities commenced at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Sunday, with Goddess Kanaka Durga appearing as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi on the first day of the nine-day celebrations.
According to temple authorities, around one lakh devotees had darshan of the presiding deity on the first day.
The temple administration, in coordination with various government departments, made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth movement of devotees and provide hassle-free darshan.
Free darshan was provided through all queue lines. Battery-operated vehicles were also made available for elderly devotees and persons with disabilities.
NTR District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha, Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu, temple Trust Board Chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi) and Executive Officer VK Seena Naik offered prayers to the presiding deity on the opening day.
Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni); Mylavaram MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad, accompanied by his family members; and Vijayawada West MLA Yalamanchili Satyanarayana Chowdary (Sujana Chowdary) offered special prayers to the Goddess.
State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju visited the temple and offered prayers.
He prayed for the prosperity of the State and the well-being, health and happiness of its people.
Representatives of Srikalahasti temple, including its EO BK Venkateswarlu, Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy and temple board members, presented silk clothes and traditional offerings to Goddess Kanaka Durga as part of the Dasara festivities.
Media Representatives Protest Pass Restrictions
Meanwhile, representatives of print and electronic media, photographers and videographers staged a protest against restrictions on the number of passes issued to them for covering the festivities.
Wearing black ribbons, they took out a protest rally at the temple, alleging that the limited passes were hampering comprehensive media coverage. They held Collector Dr G Lakshmisha responsible for imposing the restrictions.
Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) intervened and held discussions with Collector Dr G Lakshmisha, Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu, temple Trust Board Chairman Borra Radhakrishna and EO VK Seena Naik to resolve the issue. Following the discussions, the issue was resolved, and the MP accompanied the media representatives to Indrakeeladri.
