VIJAYAWADA: Close to 14,000 devotees had darshan of Goddess Durga at the Kanaka Durga temple here on Sunday, the second day of the nine-day Dasara. The presiding deity was adorned as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi.
According to officials, the temple was opened for the devotees at 5 am and a footfall of 10,655 was recorded till 6 pm.
Addressing the media, temple executive officer (EO) MV Suresh Babu said elaborate arrangements are made to ensure that the devotees have a hassle-free darshan. “Worshiping Bala Tripura Sundari is a vital part of Shakti Pooja and even listening/chanting to her name is considered a blessing,” the EO said and added priests offered special prayers to the deity.
“Girls between two and 10 years are considered a manifestation of the goddess and offered new clothes and gifts. The goddess is draped in red, green and yellow sarees on this day and a naivedyam of payasam (rice kheer) and gaarelu is offered.” With the sale of tickets, laddu prasadam and sarees, the temple earned a revenue of `8.25 lakh.