Fewer number of devotees under the Bhavani Deeksha visited Indrakeeladri, abode of Goddess Kanaka Durga, compared to previous years. Close to five lakh people have relinquished their deeksha in the last five days, and ‘Deeksha Viramana’ concluded on a grand note on Monday as the priests performed Poornahuti at temple’s Yagasala.
Though various theories, including poor publicity, are in circulation, it is the vagaries of nature and migrations to cities in search of livelihood that had cast a spell on the turnout. The ‘Bhavanis', who have been taking up the ‘deeksha' for the last five to six years, say that the working class and the farmer fraternity are penniless.
They have not been able to undertake it, as the process involves a lot of expenditure on daily rituals, ‘Deeksha' robes, and transportation.
New tradition
In addition, a new tradition, taking deeksha and relinquishing just after Dasara festival is also stated be another major reason behind the poor turnout. Notwithstanding the reduction in rush, the Bhavani Deeksha Viramana fetched Rs. 1.04 crore compared to last year’s Rs. 94 lakh to Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam.
The temple authorities made all lines free unlike last year where there were separate lines for Rs. 50 and Rs. 100 darshan tickets. There were no special pujas or Sri Chakra Archana either.
Despite this, the revenues went up.
The temple received Rs. 78,43,870 by selling laddus (7,84,387 tickets) last year.
The revenue, however, touched Rs. 91,02,200 this year through sale of laddus (9,10,220 tickets).
There is a dip in sale of pulihora compared to pervious year, 2011. The temple authorities sold pulihora (1,04,312 tickets) worth Rs. 5,21,560 in 2011.
The sale plummeted to 55,514 tickets and receipts Rs. 2,77,570. In 2011, the temple could collect Rs. 30,605 towards Sri Chakra Archana. There is a dip in sale of photos also.
