As the air fills with spiritual fervor, the revered Veerabhadra Swamy temple in Lepakshi, nestled in the Sri Sathya Sai district, has fully embraced the grand 11-day ‘Sharannavaratri’ celebrations, which commenced this Monday. This iconic temple is preparing to welcome an immense influx of devotees, not just from various corners of Andhra Pradesh but also from the neighboring state of Karnataka.
Officials from the Endowments Department have highlighted the rich tapestry of events planned for the festivities. Each day will be adorned with intricate rituals, exquisite floral decorations for the revered presiding deity, and captivating cultural performances, all set to be major attractions during the Dasara celebrations. Devotees can look forward to daily special pujas dedicated to Goddess Durga, with the sacred tradition of ‘Annadanam’ (food distribution) already underway within the temple premises.
Karanam Rama Nandan, the temple committee chairman, confirmed that the Dasara festival organization is being meticulously overseen by Hindupur MLA and acclaimed actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, who has been personally monitoring all arrangements. To ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone, the police department has already implemented a comprehensive security plan. Temple authorities are also extending an invitation to devotees to partake in the spiritual offering by sponsoring daily floral decorations and the Annadanam. “We anticipate a truly massive gathering of devotees throughout these auspicious Navaratri celebrations,” a temple official remarked, expressing high expectations for the turnout.
Concurrently, the serene hill shrine of Sri Boyakonda Gangamma, managed by the Endowments Department in Chowdepalle mandal of Chittoor district, has also undergone extensive preparations for its vibrant nine-day festivities. This sacred site traditionally attracts around 300,000 visitors during the Navaratri period, with a significant number traveling from Karnataka.
The celebrations at Sri Boyakonda Gangamma began with magnificent ‘alankarams’ (decorations) transforming the presiding deity into various divine forms, including Sakambari, Saraswati, and Annapurna. Priests performed sacred ‘homams’ (fire rituals) and other special ceremonies on Monday, marking a powerful start to the festival. For the convenience of the throngs of pilgrims, APSRTC officials have announced that special bus services will be operating from key cities such as Madanapalle, Chittoor, Tirupati, and Bengaluru throughout the Navaratri festivities.