Durga Temple Swarmed By Devotees For Varalakshmi Vratam
Marking the occasion, the goddess Durga in the main temple was adored in the form of Sri Varalakshmi Devi. The special puja was performed by temple priests: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: The famous Durga Malleswara Devasthanam (Durga temple) on the hilltop Indrakeeladri here was swarmed by devotees on the Varalakshmi Vratam day on Friday.
Marking the occasion, the goddess Durga in the main temple was adored in the form of Sri Varalakshmi Devi. The special puja was performed by temple priests.
The priests with assistance from the district administration conducted special Kumkumarchans for the goddess The priests performed 31 types of special pujas to Durgamma.
Temple executive officer Seena Naik said that devotees arrived in large numbers early in the morning, with their religious chants filling the hill’s air.
Seena Naik said that on August 22, the fifth Friday of the Shravan month, a mass Varalakshmi Vratam would be held in two sessions on the 6th floor of the Sri Mallikarjuna Maha Mandapam, from 7am to 9am. The Mass Varalakshmi Vratams would be held on August 22, from 10am to 11:30am, free of cost.
Applications for participation in the free mass vratam would be accepted at the toll-free counter of the temple from August 18, but only one woman is allowed per application.
The Prasadam kits (150 grams of saffron, a piece of jacket, bangles, laddu,and shakti bracelet) would be provided to the vratam participants.
As for the change in Nagara Giri Pradakshina on Saturday, the EO said, “The Pournami procession will start at 5:55am on Saturday and a three-day-long Pavitrotsavams are also being held. Hence, there has been a change in the Nagara Giri Pradakshina of the temple.
In Saturday’s pradakshina, only the procession chariot would be used and the ceremonial idols of Malleswara Swamy and goddess Durga will not be present. This arrangement has been made to ensure that the rituals and festivals related to Pournami and Pavitrotsavams take place smoothly.
