Grandeur on Indrakeeladri: Kanaka Durga Temple Shines for Moola Nakshatram Fete

Vijayawada is abuzz with spiritual anticipation as the revered Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanams (SDMSD), popularly known as the Kanaka Durga temple, prepares for its most auspicious event of the Dasara festivities: the Moola Nakshatram fete on September 29. Perched majestically on Indrakeeladri, the temple is undergoing a breathtaking transformation, spruced up to welcome an estimated 1.5 to 2 lakh devotees who are expected to throng the sacred abode.

The Moola Nakshatram fete holds profound significance, marking the day when Goddess Kanaka Durga is worshipped in the resplendent form of Sri Saraswati Devi.

This sacred occasion coincides with the birth star of the Goddess herself, making it the pinnacle of the nine-day Dasara celebrations. Devotees eagerly await the special Saraswati Alankaram, which will be performed from the early hours of 3 a.m. until 11 p.m., allowing ample time for spiritual communion.

Temple authorities, led by the diligent Executive Officer K.S.

Rama Rao, have meticulously planned every detail to ensure a seamless and divine experience for all. Special darshan arrangements are being put in place, with dedicated queue lines for VIPs, differently-abled individuals, and the general public, designed to manage the massive influx of pilgrims efficiently.

Empathy and care are at the forefront, with provisions for drinking water, milk, buttermilk, ORS packets, and first-aid facilities strategically placed along the queues to assist children and senior citizens.

The scale of preparations is truly impressive. A formidable security detail of 2,000 police personnel and 500 home guards will ensure safety and order.

For any medical exigencies, ten medical camps staffed by healthcare professionals and twenty ambulances will be on standby. Sanitation is a top priority, with 200 dedicated workers ensuring the temple premises and surroundings remain pristine throughout the fete. Transportation will be streamlined by APSRTC, which plans to operate 150 special buses to ferry devotees, complemented by designated parking areas to alleviate congestion.

The spiritual atmosphere will be further enhanced by Vedic scholars who will grace the occasion, reciting sacred 'Saraswati Stotras,' filling the air with devotional chants.

Over 1,500 dedicated volunteers will lend their support, guiding pilgrims and assisting with various arrangements. The Krishna river, flowing gracefully nearby, is maintaining a steady water level of 10 feet, adding to the serene backdrop.

Adding to the temple’s ethereal glow, 10,000 traditional diyas (oil lamps) will be lit, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

Preparations are also underway for massive quantities of sacred offerings, including Ponnulu, Pulihora, and Chakkarapongali, to be distributed as prasadam to the devout. With such extensive arrangements and the deep devotion of the masses, the temple administration anticipates generating revenue upwards of Rs 2.5 crore from the event.

The grandeur of the Moola Nakshatram fete is expected to draw high-profile dignitaries, with the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh likely to visit and present traditional silk robes to the Goddess, an age-old custom symbolizing reverence and devotion.

To ensure smooth pedestrian movement and manage vehicular traffic effectively, private vehicles will face restrictions on the ghat road leading up to the temple, directing pilgrims to use the designated bus services.

As September 29 approaches, Indrakeeladri stands ready, not just as a temple, but as a beacon of faith and spiritual celebration, inviting devotees to partake in the divine blessings of Goddess Kanaka Durga in her glorious form of Sri Saraswati Devi.