Vijayawada: The Goddess Durga manifested as Mahishasura Mardini during the vibrant and revered Sarannavaratri celebrations, which reached their ninth day on Indrakeeladri. Devotees flocked to the Kanaka Durga temple in large numbers. On Friday, the ninth day of Dasara festivities at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada, the goddess Kanaka Durga Devi appeared to devotees in the form of Sri Mahishasura Mardini Devi Avataram. Special poojas were performed by temple priests for the presiding deity, Durga Devi, on this auspicious day. Mahishasura Mardini symbolizes the divine warrior who vanquished the demon Mahishasura, representing the triumph of knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. According to the Puranas, this avatar not only signifies the removal of negativity but also imparts wisdom and strength to her devotees.
The grand Dasara festival is set to conclude on Saturday, with the 'Teppotsavam' boat procession at Durga Ghat on the Krishna River planned for the evening, marking the end of the celebrations. However, temple authorities have cancelled the annual Teppotsavam due to heavy flooding near the Prakasam Barrage. Alternative arrangements are being made to conduct the Jalaviharam.
As the Dasara festivities peaked, the influx of devotees to Indrakeeladri increased many folds. Along with regular visitors, many Bhavani Mala Dikhadharis came to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga Devi. Compared to previous days, the rush at Indrakeeladri was slightly less, allowing devotees to take darshan within an hour.
Chief Secretary of the State Nirabh Kumar Prasad, Director General of Police (DGP) Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, and other dignitaries visited the temple to offer their prayers. They came with their families to perform special poojas for the presiding deity, receiving Laddu Prasadam, Sesha Vastram, and portraits from the priests after being blessed.
Jana Sena MLC P Hari Prasad, along with MLAs Ganta Srinivasa Rao, B Ramanjaneyulu, and Vasantha Krishna Prasad, as well as cine producer K Ashok Kumar and actress Ananya, visited the Durga temple to offer special prayers. Following their prayers, the temple priests bestowed blessings upon them. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) B Doraswamy presented silk robes to the goddess Kanaka Durga Devi on behalf of the TTD.
Meanwhile, the temple authorities conducted the Archaka Sabha on the sixth floor of the Mallikharjuna Maha Mandapam, with 175 Archakas in attendance. Temple Executive Officer KS Rama Rao presented cash rewards to the participants.
