Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Dasara Begins at Kanaka Durga Temple as One Lakh Devotees Visit
The nine-day Dasara festival began at the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada on Sunday.
On the first day, the goddess was shown as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi.
Temple officials said about one lakh people came to see her.
The temple offered free darshan through its queues.
Battery-operated vehicles helped elderly visitors and people with disabilities.
Several public officials and elected representatives also offered prayers.
Media workers protested because they said too few passes were available to cover the festival.
MP Kesineni Sivanath spoke with officials, and the pass issue was resolved.
On Monday, the goddess was scheduled to appear as Sri Gayatri Devi.
The nine-day Dasara Sarannavaratri celebrations began Sunday at the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada.
Goddess Kanaka Durga appeared in the form of Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi on the opening day.
Temple authorities reported that around one lakh devotees had darshan of the deity.
The temple provided free darshan through all queue lines and battery-operated vehicles for elderly devotees and people with disabilities.
Media representatives protested limits on coverage passes; MP Kesineni Sivanath intervened, and the dispute was resolved.
- Who
- Devotees, temple officials and public representatives attended the opening day; media representatives protested coverage-pass limits.
- What
- The nine-day Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities began, with Goddess Kanaka Durga appearing as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi.
- When
- Sunday, the first day of the festivities; the second-day appearance as Sri Gayatri Devi was scheduled for Monday.
- Where
- Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada.
- Why
- Devotees visited to offer prayers and seek the goddess’s blessings; media representatives protested limits on passes for covering the festivities.
Media representatives
Officials
Coverage-pass limits
Media representatives
Media representatives said the limited number of passes hampered comprehensive coverage and staged a protest.
Officials
Officials discussed the issue with MP Kesineni Sivanath; the matter was resolved.
- Festival
- Nine-day Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities
- Opening-day appearance
- Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi
- Reported attendance
- Around one lakh devotees, according to temple authorities
- Darshan arrangements
- Free darshan through all queue lines
- Accessibility
- Battery-operated vehicles for elderly devotees and people with disabilities
- Media protest
- Media representatives objected to restrictions on the number of coverage passes; the issue was resolved after MP Kesineni Sivanath intervened
- Second-day appearance
- Sri Gayatri Devi, scheduled for Monday
