Over 3 lakh Bhavani devotees visit Durga Temple in four daysBhavani Deeksha relinquishment to end after Maha Poornahuthi today

The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, located atop Indrakeeladri, in Vijayawada witnessed a massive influx of Bhavani devotees from Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring States on Tuesday. Despite the cold weather conditions, devotees have shown unwavering enthusiasm as they gather for the Bhavani Deeksha Viramana ritual, marking the conclusion of their 41-day Deeksha period.
The temple premise was abuzzed with devotional fervour, as devotees clad in traditional red attire ascended the hill to offer prayers and fulfil their vows. The temple authorities have made extensive arrangements to manage the crowd and ensure the smooth conduct of rituals. Additional facilities, including queue lines, drinking water, and medical aid, have been set up to accommodate the large number of pilgrims.
More than three lakh devotees thronged the Durga temple in the first four days, of the five-day Bhavani Deeksha Viramana Mahotsavam. Before the commencing of the Mahotsavam, the temple authorities expected more than 6 lakh devotees would influx the festival. Also, 12.92 lakh Laddu Prasadam were sold in the first four days and 1.06 lakh people had the Anna Prasadam in the morning tiffin, afternoon lunch and night tiffin.
When compared to the previous year’s Bhavani Deeksha Relinquishment, the devotees’ participation is poor this year. As per the estimations, one lakh devotees are expected every day, however, on the first day, around 42,000 devotees thronged the temple. Around 86,000 devotees on day 2, 85,997 on day 3 and the fourth day of the Deeksha Viramana Mahotsavam, the footfall of the devotees was 60,000.
The five-day festival will end on December 25 and on the final day of the Bhavani Deeksha Viramana, over one lakh Bhavani Devotees are expected. Durga Temple Executive Officer (EO) KS Rama Rao is making the necessary arrangements to overcome the huge crowd. With directions from NTR District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha and Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu, additional arrangements will be provided to the devotees, said EO Rama Rao.
Meanwhile, he announced that the five-day Bhavani Deeksha Viramana would be concluded by offering Maha Poornahuthi at 10.30 am on December 25. He said that as many as 800 bathing showers were arranged at Seethammavari Padalu, Punnami Ghat, and Bhavani Ghat on the river Krishna. The temple has already introduced a special app for the Bhavani devotees during the five-day event, he said.
Further, he said with the support of the police, extensive security was arranged in the city and it is being supervised through drone visuals, CCTV and metal detectors from the Integrated Command Control Room that was arranged in the Model Guest House.
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