VIJAYAWADA: Officials of the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (SDMS), Indrakeeladri, have come up with a proposal for setting up a permanent structure for offering ‘Krishna Nitya Harathi’ at Pavitra Sangamam, the confluence of Godavari water with Krishna river, in Ibrahimpatnam.
The Devasthanam, with the support of DVR Foundation, is performing traditional harathi every day on a temporary structure at Pavitra Sangamam since Krishna Pushkaralu in August 2016. The temporary structures, designed by film director Boyapati Srinu, were damaged in May 2017 due to hailstorm. The temple authorities have conducted minor repairs on the structures. The devasthanam and the foundation are spending Rs 5 lakh every month towards purchasing pooja materials and salaries of staff. SDMS is spending 75 per cent of the expenses and the DVR Foundation the remaining 25.
As part of the Krishna Nitya Harathi, nine harathis are offered by the priests every day. Every day, devotees in large numbers gather at Pavitra Sangamam to witness the traditional Harathis offered to the River Goddess. “Around `2 crore was sanctioned by the devasthanam for setting up the permanent structure, which will be illuminated with LED bulbs. It may at least a week to set up the permanent structures on the ghat premises,” said an engineering department official of Goddess Kanaka Durga temple.