CM offers silk robes to Goddess Durga on ‘Moola Nakshatram’; over 1.3 lakh have darshan

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Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, accompanied by his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari Devi, offered silk robes to Goddess Kanaka Durga on behalf of the State government at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Friday on the occasion of ‘Moola Nakshatram’, an auspicious day during the Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities.

The Chief Minister and his wife were accorded a traditional ‘Poorna Kumbham’ welcome by temple priests and officials. Wearing a ceremonial turban, Mr. Naidu carried the silk robes on his head and presented them to the deity, who was adorned as Goddess Saraswati, the bestower of knowledge. The couple performed special pujas, after which the priests bestowed ‘aashirvachanam’ (blessings) on them.

Mr. Naidu extended Dasara greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh and prayed for the State’s prosperity, abundant rainfall, the eradication of poverty and improved living standards. He said he had sought the Goddess’s blessings for the well-being and happiness of all people and expressed his wish to see Andhra Pradesh emerge as a “healthy, wealthy and happy society”.

The Chief Minister commended the temple board and officials for the arrangements to ensure a smooth and hassle-free darshan for devotees.

Endowments Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan said around 1.28 lakh devotees had darshan of the Goddess by 6 p.m. About eight lakh devotees had visited the temple during the first six days of the festivities, Mr. Naidu said.

The Vijayawada Dasara Utsav had emerged as one of the prominent festivals in the country. Vijayawada Utsav 2.0 and the National Saras Mela were also being organised in the city, adding to the festive atmosphere, the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Ramachandra Mohan said extensive arrangements had been made to prioritise ordinary devotees and ensure that darshan proceeded smoothly and peacefully. Devotees had expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the temple authorities, he added.