Kanaka Durga appears as Mahishasuramardini

Vijayawada:Sri Kanaka Durga Devi, the presiding deity of Indrakeeladri, appeared as Sri Mahishasuramardini Devi on Monday on the auspicious occasion of Mahanavami, drawing large numbers of devotees to the hill shrine as part of the ongoing Dasara Sarannavaratri celebrations.

Adorned in a dark red handloom saree and decorated with traditional jewellery and flowers, the Goddess was worshipped as the divine force, who vanquished demon Mahishasura and restored righteousness. Devotees offered prayers to the Goddess seeking peace, prosperity, good health and protection from adversity and for the well-being of their families.

The temple witnessed a steady influx of devotees from early hours, with Bhavani Deeksha devotees adding to the festive atmosphere. The hill reverberated with devotional chants and slogans as pilgrims, including families and devotees undertaking spiritual vows, waited in queues for darshan.

OFFICIALS FOCUS ON PILGRIM AMENITIES

With pilgrim rush increasing, the temple administration and district authorities intensified measures to ensure orderly darshan and provide essential facilities. Arrangements included queue management, drinking water, milk for children, annaprasadam, sanitation, medical assistance and security.

Police personnel regulated the movement of devotees and monitored the situation through CCTV cameras and the command control system. Officials remained on alert to respond promptly to emergencies and prevent overcrowding at key points along the darshan routes.

NTR district Collector Dr G Lakshmisha, temple Trust Board Chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi), Executive Officer VK Seena Naik, Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu and Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra coordinated with officials from various departments to oversee the arrangements.

The coordination among the temple administration, police, municipal authorities, medical teams and other departments was aimed at ensuring the safe and smooth conduct of the celebrations and minimising inconvenience to pilgrims.

TEPPOTSAVAM IN RIVER KRISHNA TODAY

The annual Teppotsavam of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam will be held in the River Krishna on Tuesday (October 20) as part of the concluding ceremonies of Dasara Sharannavaratri celebrations.

The much-awaited float festival, which was cancelled over the past two years due to floods in Krishna river, is set to be held this year, generating enthusiasm among devotees. Temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the festival, with Hamsa Vahanam, on which the presiding deities will be taken on a ceremonial ride, decorated beautifully. A trial run was conducted at Durga Ghat to check the arrangements.

TODAY’S ALANKARAM: SRI RAJARAJESWARI DEVI

Sri Kanaka Durga Devi, the presiding deity of Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada, will appear as Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi on Tuesday, marking the culmination of the 10-day Dasara Sharannavaratri celebrations.

The Goddess will be adorned in a green handloom saree and traditional ornaments. The alankaram symbolises supreme power, grace and cosmic harmony. Pulihora (tamarind rice) and garelu (vada) will be offered as naivedyam. Devotees are expected to visit the hill shrine in large numbers on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami to seek the blessings of the Goddess.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dasari Srinivasa Rao

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Dasari Srinivasa Rao is a Staff Reporter with The Hans India, covering NTR and Krishna districts, with a primary focus on Vijayawada. He has 32 years of experience in journalism. His reporting spans a wide range of beats, including city and rural development, politics, irrigation, education, crime, and human-interest stories.

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