Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhushan Harichandan offered prayers at the Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri on Tuesday.
The Governor, who was accompanied by his wife Suprava, extended his warm wishes to the people of the State for the Dasara festival and expressed his happiness at the celebrations at the temple. Both the Govenror and his wife offered special pujas.
On the third day of the festival, the presiding deity was adorned as Sri Gayatri Devi and pilgrims were standing in long queues to seek the blessings of the goddess. 65,000 devotees had visited the temple and 10,549 Annadanam tickets and 62,606 prasadam tickets were given.
Volunteers stage protest
NSS and Red Cross volunteers staged a protest outside the temple alleging highhandedness by police who reportedly barred them from entering the sanctum sanctorum.
“There were around 40-45 students who wanted to offer prayers to the deity. However, accommodating all of them together inside would not have been possible due to lack of space. Besides, the Governor was visiting the temple and so we had to follow certain protocols,” said a police officer.
