There was a steep fall in the turnout of devotees on the second day of Dasara festivities atop Indrakeeladri on Wednesday. The goddess was adorned as Gayatri Devi and the temple was kept open from the early hours of the day.
The temple was opened for ‘Suprabhata Seva’ at 3 a.m. This was followed by ‘Balabhoga Nivedana’ at 6.30 a.m. Devotees were allowed into the temple from 4 a.m.
However, the crowd was thin right from the early hours. There was not much of rush even in the evening hours. The queue lines, the prasadam counter, and bathing ghats wore a deserted look.
Film actor Krishnam Raju was among VIPs who visited the temple to have darshan. Arguments between temple staff and police were witnessed in the temple.
Private security agency personnel insisted that the temple staff allow their family members to go through the VIP queue and have darshan in the sanctum sanctorum.
This sparked an altercation between the staff and the private security personnel.
Traffic jams and snarls were witnessed on the Canal Road and highway (Bhaskarraopeta Road). People had to wait for several hours to reach their destination.
Autorickshaws carrying pilgrims moved at a snail’s pace. Police personnel on duty found it difficult to manage the vehicular movement.
Cultural programmes
Various cultural programmes were conducted in Nalanda Vidya Nikethan on the occasion of Navaratri festival.
‘Aksharabhyasam’ was performed for two-year-old children, which was followed by prayers to goddess Saraswathi. The programme was conducted by priests from the China Jeeyar Swamy ashram. A singing competition was also conducted by the school management for the children. ‘Dandia’ dance competition was also conducted in the evening.
The programmes were conducted by the management to create awareness about our culture, customs, and traditions, said school headmistress Madala Padmaja. Prizes were distributed among the winners of the competitions.
