Over 60,000 devotees visit temple

Vijayawada: Bhavani Deeksha viramana continued on the third day on Tuesday as thousands of devotees from across the state and neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka came for relinquishment.

The devotees stood in queue lines and performed the rituals for Irumudi and relinquishment of 40 days deeksha. District collector B Lakshmikantham said on Tuesday about six lakh devotees may visit Durga temple by December 14.

He conducted a review meeting with the officials of endowments, police, revenue at the Command Control Room. Later, speaking to media persons, he said 1.20 lakh devotees visited the temple in the first two days and more than 60,000 had darshan by Tuesday evening.

He said 2,800 police force were deployed for the special duty and 200 officials were monitoring the arrangements. He said 31 cameras were installed to keep a close watch in and around the temple and more than five lakh laddus were sold in the first three days.

Temple executive officer A Surya Kumari said temple is opened from 2.20 am to 11.45 pm for the convenience of devotees, who came for Deeksha relinquishment. He said the first three days were passed off peacefully.