Warangal: The annual Durga Devi Navaratri celebrations have begun in a grand manner at the ancient Sri Bhadrakali Devi temple in Hanamkonda on Sunday. Temple executive officer Sheshu Bharati formally launched the nine-day festivities by offering special prayers to the presiding deity Bhadrakali Devi.
The religious event commenced with Dwajarohanam and Kalasastapana rituals, as a prelude, performed by the temple priests led by chief priest B. Seshu, followed by the conduct of Vrushaba Vahanam in the morning and Mrugavahanam
in the evening.
The temple priests decorated the goddess in the form of Balatripura Sundari Devi on the first day, which witnessed a large number of devotees who offered prayers at the shrine.
Stating that elaborate arrangements were made for the annual affair, The EO said that during the festival, the presiding deity would be seen in decorations of different incarnations on each day, along with special pujas. Cultural programmes will be held during the evening on the temple premises, he added.
The main events include Mulanakshatram Pustakarupini during which the deity will be decorated in the form of goddess Saraswati on October 20, Mahashtami, the celebration of Saddula Bathukamma, on October 22, Mahanavami, Kushmanda Bali and Vijaya Dashami on October 23.
The festivities will conclude with the celestial wedding of goddess Bhadrakali Devi and lord Bhadreshwara Swamy on October 24, she said.
