Bhavani Deeksha Viramana begins on grand note

Vijayawada: Bhavani Deeksha relinquishment began on a grand note on Saturday, the first day of the five-day annual event at Durga temple. The temple administration made elaborate arrangements for the relinquishment as thousands of devotees attend the event.

Temple Executive officer V Koteswaramma along with the temple priests inaugurated the relinquishment by performing Agni Pratishtapana near the Maha Mandapam. Thousands of devotees wearing traditional red robes and Maala performed Giri Pradakshana around the Indrakeeladri hill and later had the darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga passing in the queue lines. Subsequently, the devotees performed the relinquishment with fervour and gaiety near the Maha Mandapam.

Special arrangements were made at the venue. It was estimated that nearly one lakh devotees visited the temple on the first day. Daring the cool weather conditions, thousands of devotees took a holy bath in River Krishna at Durga Ghat. The rush started in the morning and continued till evening. The temple administration had arranged Laddu counters and served free meals to the thousands of devotees. Nearly 4,000 police were posted for the Bhavani Deeksha duty. The traffic was diverted in some parts of the old city to mark the occasion. Devotees from not only Andhra Pradesh but also from other States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana visit the temple to mark the Bhavani Deeksha Viramana. The devotees continue the Deeksha for 40 days and end it at the Durga temple in Vijayawada.