Chandrababu Naidu Offers Silk Robes to Goddess Durga as 1.28 Lakh Have Darshan

Around 1.28 lakh devotees had darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga by 6 p.m., Endowments Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan said, as the Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities continued at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam in Vijayawada.

Naidu presents silk robes to deity

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, accompanied by his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari Devi, offered silk robes to Goddess Kanaka Durga on behalf of the State government on Friday on the occasion of ‘Moola Nakshatram’.

‘Moola Nakshatram’ is an auspicious day during the Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities.

The offering took place at the temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada, where temple priests and officials accorded the Chief Minister and his wife a traditional ‘Poorna Kumbham’ welcome.

Wearing a ceremonial turban, Mr. Naidu carried the silk robes on his head and presented them to the deity.

The deity had been adorned as Goddess Saraswati, the bestower of knowledge.

Mr. Naidu and Ms. Bhuvaneswari performed special pujas after the offering, following which the priests bestowed ‘aashirvachanam’, or blessings, on them.

Chief Minister seeks blessings for State

Mr. Naidu extended Dasara greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh and prayed for the State’s prosperity, abundant rainfall, the eradication of poverty and improved living standards.

He said he had sought the Goddess’s blessings for the well-being and happiness of all people.

The Chief Minister also expressed his wish to see Andhra Pradesh emerge as a “healthy, wealthy and happy society”.

Mr. Naidu commended the temple board and officials for making arrangements aimed at ensuring a smooth and hassle-free darshan for devotees.

The attendance figure reported by the Endowments Commissioner came amid a larger turnout during the festivities.

Mr. Naidu said about eight lakh devotees had visited the temple during the first six days of the celebrations.

He said the Vijayawada Dasara Utsav had emerged as one of the prominent festivals in the country.

Arrangements prioritise ordinary devotees

Mr. Ramachandra Mohan said extensive arrangements had been made to prioritise ordinary devotees and ensure that darshan proceeded smoothly and peacefully.

He added that devotees had expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the temple authorities.

The Chief Minister also said Vijayawada Utsav 2.0 and the National Saras Mela were being organised in the city, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Source: The Hindu