President’s visit will follow Agama rituals, say Kanaka Durga temple officials

The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam on Indrakeeladri has clarified that President Droupadi Murmu’s proposed visit to the temple on October 14 will be conducted in accordance with established Agama traditions and rituals.

In an official statement issued on Sunday, the temple authorities responded to media reports about the President’s proposed darshan and the timings of the daily Mahanaivedyam ritual.

The temple administration said preliminary consultations were under way with the President’s Secretariat, the State General Administration Department (GAD), the police and the district administration. The final minute-to-minute programme for the visit would be decided at the highest level, it added.

Clarifying the ritual timings, the authorities said Mahanaivedyam and Panchaharathulu were traditionally performed between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day. The offering to the presiding deity would be completed between 6 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., after which certain darshan queues would be operated during the Panchaharathulu seva. The rituals would conclude by 7 p.m.

Even if the President’s darshan was scheduled between 7.15 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on October 14, it would take place only after the offering was completed. Darshan would not be permitted during Mahanaivedyam under any circumstances, the authorities clarified.

The temple officials said they were consulting the chief priests, Sthanacharyas and members of the Vedic Committee to ensure that the visit was conducted with due religious reverence and in accordance with established traditions. Arrangements were being made to provide the President with Vedic blessings and darshan without compromising scriptural procedures.

The administration also dismissed reports that members of the Vedic Committee had expressed anger over the proposed arrangements, describing them as baseless.

With the ongoing Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities drawing large numbers of devotees, the temple, district administration and police were coordinating arrangements to facilitate public darshan while ensuring the security of the President.

The temple authorities appealed to the media not to circulate unsubstantiated reports that could cause confusion and apprehension among devotees.