Vijayawada: The closing ceremony of Bhavani Deekshalu was held on Thursday at 11.30 am where the Poornahuti was conducted by priests though the arrival of pilgrims would continue. The number of pilgrims who visited may cross 4,75,000 as per the assessment of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple management. Last year the count was 4,15,000. Almost 2,75,000 laddus were sold over the last five days. Annaprasadam was serv-ed to almost 75,000 people.
Bhavani Deekshalu that began on December 10 at 6.50 am closed on Thursday even though pilgrims are expected to keep arriving on Friday and Saturday.
The management has, however, prepared for those two days. Without a single disruption, the ceremony ran smoothly. The arrangements made by the management satisfied the pilgrims. Security arrangements were monitored by the officials regularly.
Executive Officer J. Suryakumari, chairman Gowrangababu and board members monitored all the programmes at the temple for all the five days and coordinated with the collector, municipal and police commissioners.
