A day after the Moola Nakshatram, a dip in the devotee rush was witnessed at the Kanaka Durga temple here on Monday on expected lines. The afternoon heavy rain also played spoilsport forcing devotees to run for cover. About 70,000 devotees visited the temple till last reports came in.
The presiding deity is decked up as Goddess Sri Annapurna Devi on the sixth day of the Dasara festival. Annapurna Devi is one of the manifestations of Nava Durga during the festivities at the Indrakeeladri. In the attire of Sri Annapurna Devi, the Goddess is depicted with a feeding bowl and a spatula or ladle in her hands to serve food and Lord Siva stands at her doorstep seeking food. Sri Annapurna Devi, presiding deity of ‘anna’ (food), blesses her devotees with enough food.
Turnout doubles
Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam Executive Officer V. Koteswaramma told reporters that 9.40 lakh devotees visited the temple during the last five days. Compared to last year, the turnout doubled. During the 2017 festival, 5.37 lakh devotees visited the temple in the first five days, she said.
The EO said, “About 4.15 lakh devotees had darshan on Sunday. It is a world record.” As many as 3,800 differently-abled were among those who had darshan. The police personnel extended their services as Bhavani Dal and helped devotees have a hassle-free darshan. The temple provided annadanam prasadam to 97,837 people during the last five days, she said.