VIJAYAWADA: Durga Temple atop the Indrakeeladri witnessed a huge rush of devotees on occasion of Vijaya Dasami and relinquishing of Bhavani Deeksha by devotees.
The traditional Teppotsavam for Goddess Durga got cancelled on the last day of the Dasara Navaratri due to huge inflows of floodwaters into Krishna River. Priests said the Teppotsavam had earlier been cancelled 20 years ago due to similar flooding in Krishna. Thus, though all traditional rituals had been performed, Durga Malleswara Swamivarla Nadiviharam on Hamsa Vahanam had to be cancelled.
Goddess Durga appeared as Sri Rajarajeswari Devi to the devotees on Vijaya Dasami Day. Priests subsequently performed Purnahuti at the Yagashala, marking the completion of Navaratri festivities.
Devotees who had taken Bhavani Deeskha flocked to the temple in their thousands attired in red. Despite the torrential rain, they reached Krishna ghats to take bath and performed all mandatory rituals in wet clothes.
Durga temple executive officer D. Bramaramba said Dasara Navaratri celebrations concluded without any inconvenience to devotees.
NTR district collector S. Dilli Rao visited the Durga temple on Thursday and interacted with Bhavani devotees. He said the rush of devotees will continue for another two to three days. Hence, authorities are continuing to provide all facilities.
Bhavani devotees expressed happiness over the arrangements saying in the past, they had to wait for 4–5 hours for the darshan of Goddess. But this time, they could get the darshan within one hour.
