Indrakeeladri decked up for Dasara festivities

Vijayawada: The 10-day Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada will begin on Sunday (October 11). Temple authorities, in coordination with the NTR district administration and various government departments, have made elaborate arrangements for the safety and convenience of devotees.

The rituals will begin at 2.30 am with Kavatha Udghatana, followed by Suprabhatha Seva. The main temple and sub-shrines will open at 3 am for Snapanabhishekam and other rituals. Sarva Darshan will begin at 8 am.

Temple EO VK Seena Naik said priority would be given to ordinary devotees, with Rs 100, Rs 300 and Rs 500 darshan tickets scrapped to facilitate free darshan. A special Rs 1,000 quick-darshan facility will continue. Devotees booking through official portal or Mana Mitra WhatsApp service will be transported from TTD site at Kummaripalem Centre to Om Turning in temple vehicles and guided through a separate queue.

Around 8,000 personnel from various departments will oversee security, crowd management and essential services. More than 5,000 personnel will work in three shifts.

Three holding centres near Seethamma Vari Padalu, government offices and vacant railway land near old flower market can accommodate 18,000 devotees in 70 compartments. Drinking water, buttermilk, biscuits and refreshments will be provided. Queue lines stretching about 1,650 metres from Vinayaka temple through Canal Road and Tollgate can hold 8,500 devotees. An alternative route through Kanaka Durganagar and Maha Mandapam ramp will be used during emergencies, increasing capacity to 9,000. Boom barriers, facial recognition and QR-code scanning will regulate vehicle access and verify staff identity. Eight temple buses and other vehicles will facilitate transport, including free services for persons with disabilities.

Drinking water will be available at 54 locations, alongside 370 toilets and 600 shower facilities. Annadanam will be served to an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 or more devotees daily. Eighteen laddu counters and additional vending machines will cater to demand.

Goddess Kanaka Durga will be worshipped as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi on the first day of Sharannavaratri celebrations beginning on Sunday (October 11) at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam.

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The Hans India