VIJAYAWADA: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (SDMS), executive officer A Surya Kumari on Monday suspended an attendant for recirculating Rs 100 darshan tickets to devotees in the queue lines.According to temple officials, 13 Ayyappa devotees from Palasa in Srikakulam district thronged Indrakeeladri to have darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga.
The temple staff in Mallikarjuna Maha Mandapam asked them to avail darshan ticket near the main entrance of the temple. When devotees reached the darshan ticket counter, attendant N Chandrasekhar, who was on duty at the time, recirculated 12 darshan tickets along with an original ticket. When the devotees questioned Chandrasekhar about the recirculated tickets, he replied that they would be allowed darshan with those tickets and there will be no issues.
A heated argument ensued between the devotees and Chandrasekhar.
Later, they took the issue to the notice of temple EO A Surya Kumari.
“Chandrasekhar was suspended on the charge of recirculating darshan tickets. Another employee B Venkata Rao, who was executing his duties as a cleaner, has been appointed in the place of Chandrasekhar. Stern action will be taken against employees found guilty of any malpractice that defames the temple,’’ temple EO Surya Kumari said in a statement.