Bhavani deeksha viramana to commence on Dec 29

Vijayawada: The district administration and the officials of Durga temple are jointly making arrangements for relinquishment of Bhavani Deeksha which starts from December 29.

Several lakhs of devotees are expected to visit the temple for relinquishment of deeksha. Similarly, the temple authority and district administration along with police and the municipal officials finalised a plan in view of VIPs’ visit to temple on the occasion of New Year.

The meeting to review arrangements was held by District Collector B Lakshmikantham here on Sunday to finalise plan towards ensuring proper arrangements. As many as eight control rooms would be set up in the 8-km Giripradakshina stretch.

The facilities like toilets and drinking water would be provided for devotees’ convenience. The district administration directed the Water Resources department to make sure availability of sufficient water especially at Durga Ghat and Bhavani Ghat. Moreover, all the arrangements for deeksha relinquishment are being done at the two ghats only.

Similarly, food inspectors would be deployed to check quality of food items which will be supplied by various voluntary organisations. The District Collector instructed the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and Roads and Buildings department to clean roads. He also asked the officials to be ready with the teams of NDRF.

Besides, Durga temple executive officer V Koteswaramma said that nearly 20 lakh laddus would be supplied to the devotees. She also said that they would provide darshan to all devotees and VIPs on January 1 without any inconvenience.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ravishankar said that they would control situation at Kesakhandana Shala. He said that the police department would give elaborate route plan to avoid traffic jam in the city.

Joint Collector Vijaya Krishnan, Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner J Nivas, Sub-Collector Misha Singh and staff of the Departments of Tourism and Water Resources were present.