Protocol controversy at Durga temple

Vijayawada: Goddess Sri Durga gave darshan to devotees in Sri Mahalakshmi Alankaram on the seventh day on Tuesday in the nine-day Dasara festival celebrations. 

The devotees thronged temple from early hours. The temple queue lines were full with devotees. The festival this time on Indrakeeladri also witnessed a few controversies.

The TTD presented silk saree to Goddess Kanaka Durga while the protocol issue turned into a fresh controversy. The Durga temple authorities gave chance to assistant executive officer of the TTD to present the saree. 

But TTD board member and TDP MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao was disappointed and left the temple without participating in the programme.
The followers of Bonda Uma questioned the temple authorities regarding the saree presentation. Temple executive officer V Koteswaramma said that they followed the guidelines of the TTD. She also said that she did not do any mistake intentionally.

Similarly, Durga Temple Trust Board chairman Y Gouranga Babu staged protest on Monday for some time when his family members were not allowed to visit the temple through VIP entry. Later, the Trust Board members gathered at the chairman’s office. They expressed anger over the attitude of the executive officer. 

Temple Trust Board chairman Y Gouranga Babu alleged that the EO intentionally humiliated the trust board members. He also said that he would bring the issue to the notice of the Chief Minister. He pointed out that unnecessary controversies were defaming the temple. Goddess Durga will appear in Durga Devi Alankaram on Wednesday.

Goddess Durga will be decorated in two Alankarams as Mahishasura Mardhini and Rajarajeswarai on Thursday. The temple administration conducted celestial boat ride trial run on Tuesday. The arrangements are being made for celestial boat ride of Sri Durga Malleswara Swami in River Krishna on the occasion Vijayadashami on October 18.