AP celebrates Dasara with traditional gaiety

Hyderbad Oct 9 (UNI) Bringing down the curtains on the nine-day-long ''Navratri'', people in Andhra Pradesh celebrated Dasara with traditional pomp and ceremony today.

The festival, popularly known as ''Vijaya Dasami'' marks the victory of divine power over evil.

Large number of people offered prayers at various Durga temples in the city and all over the state.

Decorated with colourful lights, the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad has worn a festive look.

With the end of ''Navratri'' and on the occasion of ''Vijaya Dasami'', the devotees bade farewell to Goddess Durga during the day.

Since morning women were seen queuing up in front of the idols in puja pandals for offering prayers.

Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari, State Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and leaders of various political parties greeted the people on the occassion of 'Vijaya Dasami'.

A report from Visakhapatnam said the Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Sri Jayendra Saraswati today installed an idol of Adyadi Sree ''Mahalakshmi Ammavaru'' in the temple constructed under the guidance of Sadguru Sivananda Murthy at Anandavanam in Bheemunipatnam.

Speaking after idol installation, he delivered his Anugraha-Bhashnam to large number of devotees at the temple.

The seer was here for the last two days for performing ''Mahakumbhabhishekam at Sri Sankaramatham.

The 'Vijaya Dasami' festival was also celebrated in the steel city of Visakhapatnam on a grand scale. The special homams and pujas were performed in the temples and pandals, set up by local industries including East Coast Railway division and other organisations.

Kukum puja and recital of Sri Lalitha Sahastranama were organised by Kali temple in the Ramakrishna beach.

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