Goddess Kanaka Durga Temple will remain open for 22 hours every day to offer a hassle-free darshan to pilgrims visiting city for the Krishna Pushkarams, which begins from August 12.
Nearly two lakh devotees are expected to visit the temple daily during the 12-day festival. The temple authorities have come up with a toll-free number 18004259099 for the convenience of the devotees. “Just dial the number for the feedback, complaints and any other information such as donor pass,” said temple Executive Officer A Suryakumari here on Wednesday.
She said that the temple would remain open from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. and there would be no ‘antaralaya darshan’ and ‘Satagopam’ to enable quick movement of pilgrims.
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The EO said that VIP slots would be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. However, free darshan queue would not be disturbed during VIP darshan.
Control room
Ms. Surya Kumari said a control room would be set up at Mallikharjua maha mandapam.
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“Idols and model temples were set up at the Railway station, RTC bus stand, Polkampadu and Sitanagaram for the convenience of pilgrims. Those who can’t make it to the temple can offer prayers there.”
‘Annadanam’ will be arranged for 25,000 people each day and 600 volunteers and 1,000 NSS volunteers will offer their services to devotees on thetemple premises.
Principal Secretary of Endowments J.S.V. Prasad said that the Mallikharjuna mahamandapam would be utilized to the full extent and two high-speed lifts arranged there soon.
Commissioner of Endowments Y.V. Anuradha said that the Kanaka Durga temple would be developed on a par with the Tirumala temple.
She said a kit comprising the ingredients for ‘pindapradhanam’ would be supplied to the pilgrims through self-help groups in Krishna, Guntur and Kurnool districts. “Three kits costing Rs.100, Rs.150 and Rs.300 each will be sold as per the requirements of the pilgrims.”
Earlier, the officials released a postal envelope on Goddess Kanaka Durga. Speaking on the occasion, Director of Postal Services K. Somasundaram said that the envelope would be an asset to both Postal Department and the temple authorities. “The Postal Department has made arrangements to deliver 3.75 lakh Krishna water bottles in A.P. and Telangana during Krishna Pushkarams,” he added.