Augmented reality show of Goddess Kanaka Durga in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: The state government will be organising an augmented reality show of Goddess Kanaka Durga and showcasing history at the Durga temple located on the Indrakeeladri hills for the ensuing Dasara festival here.

Endowments department officials are setting up nearly 20 augmented reality show boards at the temple premises with QR code to enable the devotees to scan it and download the nearly 30-second video.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is scheduled to inaugurate the show on October 12. Officials said it is for the first time that such a show is being arranged at the temple in AP; it was previously done on as an experiment some two years ago at the Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur, Tirupati.

Dr G. Vani Mohan, principal secretary revenue (endowments), "We are arranging an augmented reality show of goddess Durga at her temple for Dasara for the benefit of devotees to learn Her history.”

Endowments officials said they were making all necessary arrangements ahead of Dasara festivities by taking up repair works, giving a fresh coat of paint to the temples, maintenance of sanitation, repairing malfunctioning CCTV cameras and setting up illumination among others.

Officials will also instal information boards, giving details of the temples including the signifance of the architecture and wall carvings and the presiding deites.

Several services are being taken online for devotees who are unable to visit the temples and 'prasadam' will be sent to them by post.

The endowments authorities intend to keep a close watch on the number of devotees visiting the temples daily during the Dasara festivities in view of the Coronavirus pandemic. They will strike a balance between allowing a large number of pilgrims and maintaining Covid-19 protocols.

Dr Vani Mohan said, "We appeal to all devotees who intend to visit temples to offer special prayers during ensuing Dasara festivities to maintain Covid-19 appropriate behaviour by wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance and by washing hands frequently all through their travel from home till they return, to avoid spread of Coronavirus.”

She said the department was initiating requisite measures to maintain sanitation at all temples to ensure that no devotee falls victim to the virus.