Huge Rush at Durga Temple, 5.50 Lakh Have Darshan So Far

Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister Kottu Satyanarayana, who holds the endowments portfolio, disclosed that they are anticipating that two lakh devotees will head to Indrakeeladri for the darshan of Goddess Durga on the final day of Dasara Navaratri – Monday, October 23.

Temple authorities and NTR district administration are taking steps to ensure that the day passes off successfully, marking the end of this year’s nine-day festivities.

On the seventh day on Saturday, devotees thronged the Durga temple in the wee hours to have darshan of Kanaka Durga Devi adorned as Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi.

The deputy CM said that more than 5.50 lakh devotees have taken the darshan of the Goddess Durga Devi during the Navaratri so far. The rush is being monitored through CCTV cameras. Problems are being anticipated and taken care of, he stated.

Complaints have been received that certain police officials have violated the rules and provided darshan to their family members over others. The matter has been brought to the attention of police commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata for necessary action.

On Saturday, Swayambhu Varasiddhi Vinayaka Devasthanam at Kanipakam in Chittoor district offered silk robes to Goddess Durga Devi on Saturday. Kanipakam Devasthanam chairman A. Mohan Reddy and executive officer A. Venkatesh offered the robes on behalf of their temple. Durga temple trust board chairman Karnati Rambabu gave them a warm welcome as per the temple tradition and provided them the darshan of Durga Devi.

The Goddess form as Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi is the ultimate, primordial Shakti that existed before Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. She represents the Panchabhuta – Vayu (air), Jala (water), Agni (fire), Bhumi (earth) and Akasa (sky); the five basic elements of the universe.