The management of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla temple is bracing up for the ‘Moola Nakshatra puja’ scheduled for Monday in which close to two lakh devotees are likely to have darshan of goddess Sri Kanaka Durga atop Indrakeeladri.
The presiding deity will be adorned as ‘Saraswati Devi’ on the day of ‘Moola Nakshatram’ and devotees considered it as the most auspicious among all the days of Dasara festivities. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will be offering ‘pattu vastralu’ (silk robes) to the goddess on the occasion.
Interacting with media persons on Saturday, Temple Executive Officer Ch. Narsing Rao said as many as 1.90 lakh devotees had darshan on the day of ‘Moola Nakshatram’ last year and the temple management is expecting the same turnout this year too. “We are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring better amenities to devotees. We have decided to cancel special tickets on Monday in view of heavy rush and the temple will remain open for 21 hours from 2 a.m. to 11 p.m.,” he said.
According to Mr. Rao, more number of people especially VIPs who are attending the foundation stone laying ceremony in Amaravati would be visiting the temple on October 22. Over 40,000 people visited the temple during the first three days of the festivities while the turnout was around 60,000 on Friday.
In a meeting convened to review the arrangements for the festival, Krishna district Collector Babu A. said top priority has been accorded for the safety of devotees. A total of 140 surveillance cameras were installed to monitor the situation at the temple and its surroundings including queues.
Workers are making arrangements for Teppotsavam (the celestial boat ride of Durga Malleswara Swami) in the River Krishna on October 22. The boat ride marks the conclusion of the 10-day Dasara festival.
