Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Indrakeeladri Prioritises Free Darshan for Dasara Devotees
The Dasara festival will bring many visitors to the Durga temple on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada.
The celebrations run from October 11 to October 20.
The temple is giving priority to free darshan for ordinary visitors.
It has stopped selling the ₹100, ₹300 and ₹500 darshan tickets.
Visitors can also book a ₹1,000 special darshan, and staff will check those tickets with QR codes.
Buses will help special-ticket holders travel to and from the hill.
The temple has prepared queue areas, water points, toilets and security staff for the crowds.
Food will be served to thousands of devotees each day.
The final day includes a traditional boat festival on the Krishna River.
The annual Dasara Navaratri celebrations at the Vijayawada temple run from October 11 to October 20.
The temple has cancelled ₹100, ₹300 and ₹500 darshan tickets to prioritise free darshan for ordinary devotees.
A ₹1,000 special darshan option is available through Mana Mitra WhatsApp or the official portal, with QR-code checks for ticket holders.
Three queue complexes can accommodate about 18,000 devotees, and more than 5,000 personnel will work in shifts.
The temple plans to distribute Annaprasadam to more than 15,000 devotees daily and supply 60 lakh laddus.
- Who
- The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam and devotees attending Dasara.
- What
- The temple is preparing for Navaratri celebrations, prioritising free darshan and arranging crowd, transport and food services.
- When
- October 11 to October 20; daily darshan hours vary by date.
- Where
- Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh; the concluding Teppotsavam is planned on the Krishna River.
- Why
- To prioritise ordinary devotees, manage pilgrim movement and avoid disruption or untoward incidents.
- Festival dates
- October 11–20
- First-day darshan
- 8 a.m.–11 p.m. on October 11
- Darshan hours
- 4 a.m.–11 p.m. daily from October 12 to 20
- Cancelled ticket prices
- ₹100, ₹300 and ₹500 darshan tickets
- Special darshan
- ₹1,000; available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Mana Mitra WhatsApp or the official portal
- Queue capacity
- Three queue complexes with a combined capacity of about 18,000 devotees
- Food arrangements
- Annaprasadam for more than 15,000 devotees daily; 60 lakh laddus planned for distribution
- Closing event
- Hamsavahana Teppotsavam on the Krishna River at 6 p.m. on October 20