Pilgrim rush at Kanakadurga Temple unabated

Vijayawada, Oct 5 (UNI) Though the nine-day Navaratri celebrations ended on October two, the pilgrim rush at the Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri was unabated for the third day today with hundreds of devotees in 'bhavani deeksha' coming to worship the deity.

The 'bhavanis' (those who have taken a vow), after having a holy dip in River Krishna, offered 'irumudi' to Goddess Durga, marking the end of the 40-day 'deeksha'.

Devasthanam Executive Officer E Gopala Krishna Reddy said about three lakh 'bhavanis' worshipped the goddess in the last few days.

About 12 lakh pilgrims visited the temple during the nine-day Dusserah celebrations and had 'darshan' of Kanaka Durga.

Mr Reddy said the Devasthanam registered revenue of Rs 1.63 crore during the festival and money in the hundi was being counted.

The 'laddu prasadam' of Goddess Kanaka Durga continued to be in the news, first over poor quality, now due to short supply.

A substantial number of devotees who had to return without getting 'laddus' vented their anger against the temple employees.

Meanwhile, a large number of people immersed Durga idols in River Krishna at the Prakasam Barrage here.

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