All arrangements have been made for the month-long Margasira festivities to be held from Nov 19 to Dec 18 at Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple in the old city.
Temple executive officer S. Jyothi Madhavi told the media here on Friday that goddess Kanaka Mahalakshmi is worshipped by people of the north-coastal districts as the presiding deity. "We expect a large number of devotees on the four Thursdays -- November 23, 30 and December 7 and 14. Pilgrims from north Andhra districts, as well as Odisha, and other places visit the temple during the month. We have made necessary arrangements to ensure hassle-free darshan,” she said.
Queue lines have been arranged from Town Kotha Road to temple. On Thursdays apart from ₹ 20, ₹ 100 and ₹ 200 darshan there will be quick darshan tickets of ₹ 500 tickets. Butter milk, water and biscuits will be distributed to devotees waiting in queue lines, the EO said.
She said as part of the month-long celebrations cultural and devotional programmes will be organised at the temple from 7 p.m to 9 p.m every day.
Ms Jyothi Madhavi said Radha Yatra would be organised on Dec. 9, Veda Sabha on Dec 10, "Maha Annadanam" (serving of food) on Dec 14 and Archaka Sadassu (convention of priests) on Dec 17. On the concluding day, Dec 18, Deepotsavam and Sahasra Deepalankarana will be organised on the concluding day on Dec. 18.
Free buses would be arranged to ferry devotees from different parts of the city to the temple and arrangements would also be made to provide wheel-chairs for the disabled persons and the old to have a darshan of the goddess.
For the special Margasira Panchamrita Abhisheka Puja, devotees should purchase tickets for ₹7,500 or ₹ 2,500. Tickets are available online and they can be accessed and they can also be bought online by paying the amount into Andhra Bank account no. 060810011006691 and the IFSC code ANDB0000608.
