On a truly auspicious Monday, as the vibrant Dasara festival continued, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with his wife N. Bhuvaneswari Devi, made a special offering of silk robes to Goddess Kanaka Durga atop Indrakeeladri Hill. This sacred gesture took place on Moola Nakshatram, a day of immense spiritual significance during the festivities.
The ceremony was rich in tradition; priests from the revered Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam had beautifully adorned the presiding deity as Goddess Saraswati. Upon their arrival around 3:30 p.m., the Chief Minister and his wife were warmly welcomed with a traditional Poorna Kumbham. With a ceremonial turban gracefully placed on his head, Mr. Naidu reverently carried the silk robes, presenting them to the Goddess on behalf of the State government. Following the offering, the couple received heartfelt aashirvachanam, or divine blessings, from the temple priests.
Addressing reporters after the ceremony, Mr. Naidu expressed the government’s honor in making this silk robe offering. He earnestly prayed for the prosperity and well-being of all people across Andhra Pradesh, attributing the successful execution of various development projects to the benevolent blessings of Goddess Kanaka Durga.
The Chief Minister highlighted the overwhelming devotion witnessed during the current Dasara festival, with approximately eight lakh devotees having visited the temple, including a staggering 1.2 lakh on a single day. He assured that the administration had meticulously managed arrangements to ensure a smooth and reverent experience for all pilgrims, upholding the temple’s sanctity. Furthermore, efforts were made to enhance the quality of prasadam, and VIP darshan timings were thoughtfully scheduled to maximize worship opportunities for ordinary devotees.
Beyond the festivities, Mr. Naidu also conducted a thorough review of several ongoing temple development initiatives. He announced that a state-of-the-art Annaprasadam complex, capable of seating 1,500 people, is on track for completion within six months, at a cost of ₹26 crore. A new prasadam preparation center, valued at ₹27 crore, is expected to be ready in just three months. Additionally, a beautiful puja mandapam and yagasala, generously funded by donors with a contribution of ₹5 crore, are under construction. An elevated queue complex, designed to enhance pilgrim flow and comfort, is also progressing well, with an estimated completion within five months at a cost of ₹14 crore.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister gave his firm assurance that both the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams and the 2028 Krishna Pushkarams would be celebrated on a magnificent scale, reflecting their immense cultural importance. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing welfare initiatives, guided by divine blessings, and noted that financial support is being extended to temples with limited incomes, while larger temples comfortably manage their resources.
Also present at this significant event were Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivnath (Chinni), the District Collector, and other esteemed senior officials.