VIJAYAWADA: The Kanaka Durga temple (Sri Durga Malleswara Swami temple) atop the Indrakeeladri is all set to conduct Shakambari Utsav for three days from July 10.
At a press meet Sunday, temple executive officer (EO) V Trinadha Rao said, “The tradition was started in 2007 and this would be the eighth Shakambari utsav. Last year we spent `4,68,543 for the celebrations, out of which we received `1,43,000 from donations. This year `2 lakh had already been received from donors and we are expecting more.”
Goddess Kanaka Durga in the temple will appear as Shakambari Devi on July 10, 11 and 12 as she will be decorated with vegetables and fruits.
The EO added that as they were anticipating more donations this year, they plan to celebrate it on a large scale. “We used 6,000 kg of vegetables and `1,25,000 worth of fruits to decorate the Goddess last year. The vegetable and fruit vendor association promised to donate almost the same quantities this year too. These vegetables and fruits will be served to devotees in the form of ‘Kadambam’ (prasadam),” he explained.
EO said that people who would like to donate vegetables, fruits or money, can approach the enquiry office between July 9 and 11.
Assistant executive officer K Sai Prasad, temple superintendent Lakshmi Prasanna, archaka committee members Kota Prasad, Kota Ravi, Sankara Sandilya and Sreenu were present.