Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple annual festival in AP

Visakhapatnam, Nov 21 (UNI) A 'mahaprakaram' and a five-storey 'rajagopuram' would be constructed for the Sri Kanakamahalakshmi Temple here, according to its Executive Officer Babu Rao.

More land was being acquired to provide better amenities for devotees, he said at a press meet organised here today in connection with the annual festival from tomorrow to December 20.

Elaborate arrangements had been made for the 'Margasira mahotsavam,' he said, adding tight security had been made to thwart any untoward incident. Free meals would be served to devotees.

Several cultural and spiritual programmes would be conducted.

Talking of the history of the temple, he said it was nearly 100 years ago. The idol was found in 1906. Uniquely, the sanctum sanctorum did not have a roof.

Till 1969, the temple was managed by Burujupeta residents. It was taken over by the Endowments Department in 1970.

The temple annual income, which was Rs 1.5 lakh in 1970, rose to nearly Rs 1.7 crore in the current year, he added.

UNI BSR AA RL KN1930