Varuna Yagam Begins at Durga Temple Seeking Rains

VIJAYAWADA: Special rituals for Varuna Yagam began at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Friday, with priests offering prayers for timely and adequate rainfall and the welfare of farmers.

The rituals commenced at 6.15 am at the Sri Durga Snanaghat with Vighneswara puja, following directions from the endowments commissioner. Temple chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi) and executive officer V.K. Seena Naik participated in the prayers.

Under the supervision of temple Sthanacharya Siva Prasad Sarma, priests performed Varuna Anuvaka and Karaka parayanams. They stood waist-deep in the Krishna river while conducting the recitations and praying for timely rains and the welfare of the farming community.

The rituals were organised as part of efforts to address drought-like conditions and replenish rivers, tanks and reservoirs.

Meanwhile, the first Friday of the holy Sravana month drew thousands of devotees from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to the Kanaka Durga temple. Devotees began queuing up in the early hours for darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga and to offer their vows.

The temple complex, including the presiding deity, sub-shrines and inner sanctums, was decorated with flowers. Special Kumkumarchanas were performed according to temple rituals, with a large number of women devotees taking part and offering prayers for family welfare and prosperity.

With the rush increasing, EO V.K. Seena Naik monitored arrangements, particularly at scanning points, and instructed staff to ensure that queues moved quickly. Security personnel monitored the entry of mobile phones into the temple.

Drinking water and milk were made available to devotees waiting in queues. Temple officials, priests and security personnel coordinated the arrangements for darshan.

Later, Vijayawada Lok Sabha member Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) inspected ongoing development works at the temple along with Seena Naik, Borra Radhakrishna and trust board members.

The MP inspected the new annadanam building and prasadam preparation facility, which are nearing completion and are scheduled to be inaugurated. He expressed satisfaction over the quality of the works and said the facilities would be made ready before the Dasara Sarannavarathri celebrations.