Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Indrakeeladri Prepares for Ten-Day Dasara Temple Festivities
A 10-day Dasara celebration will begin at a temple on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on October 11.
On the first day, the goddess will be worshipped as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi.
Temple officials say they want ordinary visitors to have easier access to darshan.
Some paid ticket options have been stopped, but a special Rs 1,000 quick-darshan option will remain.
Thousands of workers will help manage crowds and keep people safe.
Holding areas and long queue routes will help visitors wait.
The temple will also provide water, food, toilets and transport.
Special free transport will be available for people with disabilities.
The 10-day Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam begin Sunday, October 11.
On the first day, Goddess Kanaka Durga will be worshipped as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi.
Temple authorities have scrapped Rs 100, Rs 300 and Rs 500 darshan tickets to prioritize ordinary devotees; a Rs 1,000 quick-darshan option will remain.
About 8,000 personnel will support security, crowd management and services, with more than 5,000 working in three shifts.
Holding centres, queue routes, transport, drinking water, toilets, showers and daily annadanam are planned to serve devotees.
- Who
- Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, temple authorities, government departments and devotees.
- What
- The temple's 10-day Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities and arrangements for devotees.
- When
- The festivities begin Sunday, October 11; the year is not specified.
- Where
- Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada.
- Why
- To conduct the festivities and support the safety and convenience of devotees.
- Duration
- 10 days
- First-day worship
- Goddess Kanaka Durga as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi
- Rituals begin
- 2:30 am; the main temple and sub-shrines open at 3 am; Sarva Darshan begins at 8 am
- Personnel
- Around 8,000 personnel overall; more than 5,000 scheduled across three shifts
- Holding centres
- Three centres with capacity for 18,000 devotees in 70 compartments
- Queue capacity
- About 8,500 on the main route, rising to 9,000 using the emergency alternative route
- Facilities
- 54 drinking-water locations, 370 toilets and 600 shower facilities
- Daily annadanam
- Estimated 10,000 to 15,000 or more devotees