Devotees witness Teppotsavam in river Krishna

Vijayawada, Oct 9 (UNI) Lakhs of devotees witnessed the float festival in the river Krishna this evening with the decorated 'Hamsavahanam'- a boat in the shape of a swan- taking the deities of Goddess Durga and Lord Mallikarjunaswamy for 'Nadi Viharam'.

Amid chanting of vedic hymns by priests, the deities were brought to the river in a planquin from Indrakeeldri hill to the Durga ghat amidst the chanting 'Jai Bhavani' by devotees renting the air. The idols were later ceremoniously placed on the swan shaped boat.

The deities were taken around the river thrice between the Durga ghat and the Bhavani islands with VIPs, devasthanam officials and MLAs accompanying the boat.

A large number of devotees thronged the shores, Prakash barrage and the hill side for seeking the blessings of the pacified Goddess and purification of their soul, mind and body.

Police threw a tight security cordon for the ritual.

UNI CS AKM 1957