Vijayawada: Bhavani Deeksha relinquishment begins at Durga temple

Vijayawada: The annual Bhavani Deeksha Viramana started on Tuesday at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy temple as per the rituals.

The temple administration has made elaborate arrangements for the relinquishment of Deeksha from January 5 to 9. Devotees from various parts of the State attended the annual Deeksha Viramana programme.

Due to the impact of Covid, the rush of devotees is expected to come down compared to the previous year. It is estimated that two lakh devotees may visit the temple this year.

Temple executive officer MV Suresh Babu, the Temple Trust Board chairman P Somi Naidu, head priest V Siva Prasada Sarma and others performed Agni Pratishtapana at 6.50 am to mark the beginning of the Deeksha Viramana. After performing the Agni Pratishtapana, the officials, priests and the Trust Board members participated in Chandi Yagam.

The temple administration has arranged queues from Vinayaka temple on Canal road for the convenience of the devotees visiting the temple for the relinquishment of Deeksha. The devotees after having darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga climbed down Indrakeeladri for relinquishment of Deeksha.

The temple administration has distributed packets of Sambar Rice to the devotees. As per the Covid guidelines, the temple administration decided to distribute the food packets instead of serving food in the temple. Most of the devotees followed the Covid guidelines wearing masks. Tight security posted in and around the temple to prevent any untoward incident.

Wearing traditional dresses, the devotees performed the rituals to end the Bhavani Deeksha. Earlier, the devotees started arriving at the temple since 5.30 am onwards on Tuesday.

From Wednesday onwards, the devotees will be allowed from 4 am onwards, said the Temple Executive Officer MV Suresh Babu. He supervised the arrangements and the rituals performed by the devotees since morning. The five-day Deeksha will conclude with Maha Purnahuti to be performed at 11 am on January 9.