VIJAYAWADA: Karthika Pournami was celebrated with religious fervour in the city on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Devotees took a holy dip in River Krishna and thronged temples of Lord Shiva in large numbers to offer special prayers.In the evening, the devotees thronged the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri and participated in Koti Deepotsavam organised by the temple authorities.
Peetadhipathi of Visakha Sarada Peetham Sri Sri Sri Swaroopananda Saraswati Swamiji participated in the rituals as chief guest. The temple authorities offered a traditional welcome to the Sarada Peetham pontiff amid recitation of vedic hymns. Swaroopananda Saraswati Swamiji offered special prayers to the Goddess.
Later, the high priest lit up a lamp marking the beginning of Koti Deepotsavam and spoke about the significance of the festival.
On his visit, the temple authorities presented prasadam and a portrait of the presiding deity to the Swamiji. Endowments Minister Vellampalli Srinivasa Rao, Principal Secretary G Vani Mohan, temple trust board committee chairman P Somi Naidu and temple executive officer D Brahmaramba were also present.