Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu presented silk robes to goddess Kanaka Durga atop Indrakeeladri here Sunday.
The Chief Minister and his family members arrived at Kanaka Durga temple at around 3 p.m. Mr. Naidu, wearing a traditional turban, along with his wife Bhavaneswari Devi, brought silk robes on his head to present them to the presiding deity, who is decked up as goddess Saraswati as part of Dasara celebrations.
The silk robes were presented to the deity on behalf of the State government.
Cultural programmes
The temple priests welcomed him with Poorna Kumbham, a traditional welcome. The temple priests offered traditional ‘aashirvachanam’ (blessings) to the Chief Minister and his wife. Temple Executive Officer V. Koteswarmma presented ‘seshavastram’ and photograph of goddess Kanaka Durga to him. It is customary that either the Chief Minister or the Endowments Minister will present the silk robes to the presiding deity during Dasara festival.
Later, speaking to reporters, Mr. Naidu said that the temple has chalked out plans to provide accommodation facilities to the devotees visiting the shrine. The devotees can stay put for two to three days. As part of it, cultural programmes, an exhibition for shopping, food festival etc were being planned. These events would be organised near apron of Prakasam barrage, he said.
The Chief Minister said that he prayed to the goddess to bless people with happiness and prosperity. The blessings of goddess Kanaka Durga were required to complete the Kanaka Durga flyover before March-next.
Choicest blessings
Also, the goddess has to shower her choicest blessings to extend the Benz Circle flyover up to Nidamanuru. Completion of Polavaram and inter-linking of rivers were some of the other priorities which require divine blessings, he said.
The Dasara celebrations were a feast to the eyes, he said, adding, “The devotee turnout was 2.97 lakh last year. This year, it touched 5.23 lakh.”
“A huge loss was incurred in Srikakulam due to Titli cyclone and people required immediate assistance. But, as the silk robes have to be presented to the deity, I am here,” he said.