VIJAYAWADA: The Dasara celebrations started on a grand note at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanams (Kanaka Durga temple) in the city on Thursday.
Governor Biswabushan Harichandan and his family offered the first prayers at the temple marking the beginning of the celebrations.
Vedic scholars offered special prayers and adorned goddess Kanaka Durga as Sri Swarna Kavachalakrita Durga Devi. Snap Abhishekam, Pushparchana, Kumkuma Archana were performed seeking world peace.
“Swarna Kavachalakrita Durga Devi is very special. This alankaram is only seen at this temple. Worshipping Kanaka Druga will give courage. Offering Kumkuma Pooja to the goddess during Navratri days will give prosperity and we have conducted archana wishing the recovery of the world from the Covid-19, “ said Siva Prasada Sharma temple Sthana Acharya.
Temple executive officer Bramarambha and trust board chairman Paila Sominaidu monitored the arrangements and interacted with devotees.
Moderate rush of devotees was seen at the temple on Thursday. It took 45 minutes for free darshan and 20 minutes for Rs. 300 darshan.
Former minister and TDP leader Devineni Umamaheswara Rao had darshan walking in free queue line. He expressed dissatisfaction over arrangements at queue lines. He demanded chief minister YS Jagan to release a white paper on funds allocated for the temple last year. Endowments minister Vellampalli Srinivas, MP Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, MLA Malladi Vishnu offered special prayers.
