Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam: Devotees seek to reduce puja fares

Vijayawada: Officials of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam are facing criticism for collecting huge ticket rates for various special pujas offered to the Goddess. Temple management has changed its way and introduced several special pujas on various special occasions. But these rituals are drawing poor attention of devotees due to the exorbitant ticket rates.

The Durga temple management have introduced various new sevas along with the existing sevas to attract more number of pilgrims. Special sevas like Pratah kala archana, Saraswathi Homam, Mahalakshmi Homam, Devalaya Sandarshana and Nitya harathulu at Bhavani Ghat were introduced in recent times. Majority of these sevas are getting poor response than expected by the temple management.

Most of the devotees who are interested to participate in these poojas are taking a back step with these ticket rates. “We want to participate in Mahalakshmi Homam at the Durga temple, but have withdrawn the proposal due to the ticket cost. Temple management should consider middle class while organising these sevas,” says D. Rajani, a pilgrim. “Temple management is trying to follow Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in collecting huge ticket fares for various sevas. Temple management is organising a variety of rituals at the Durga temple, but still they failing due to the high ticket cost. The temple management should consider the pilgrims and  reduce the cost of special sevas.” says Yeleswarapu Jaganmohan Raju, State president of Hindu Dharma Parira-kshana Vedika.

“We are providing better services for the ticket price we have fixed for various sevas and special pujas. Mahalakshmi Homam organised in the temple got huge response. Majority of donors and devotees are expecting Antharalaya darshan along with sevas which is the major reason for ticket cost. We will consider the request of pilgrims,” says  executive officer of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam A. Surya Kumari. She accepted that Devalaya Darshan tour programme organised by temple management is getting poor response and hoped that it gets good response in the coming summer vacation.