Charity groups step in as Ratha Saptami rush swells at Arasavalli

With lakhs of devotees thronging the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple at Arasavalli on Ratha Saptami, several charitable organisations distributed prasadam, food packets, and drinking water, easing long waits on Sunday.

Devotees arrived from the early hours, leading to heavy crowding in and around the temple. Many, including families and elderly persons, waited in queues for hours for darshan. Voluntary groups provided basic relief.

The SSR Charitable Trust, led by founder and industrialist Sura Srinivasa Rao, served meals to nearly 5,000 devotees. Volunteers were stationed at multiple points, ensuring pilgrims received food and water without leaving the queues.

Members of the Lions Club, including Natukula Mohana Rao and Badana Deva Bhusana Rao, carried out service activities near Indira Vignan Bhavan, distributing refreshments and assisting devotees.

The Indian Red Cross Society, led by chairman P. Jagan Mohana Rao, arranged vehicles for elderly devotees and tricycles for persons with disabilities, helping them travel from Mill Junction between the Old Bus Stand and the temple. Volunteers also guided devotees and provided first aid.

Meanwhile, MLC Duvvada Srinivas raised concerns over darshan arrangements, stating the heavy rush was not matched by proper queue management. He alleged that even MLCs and other VIPs faced difficulty as only a single queue line was maintained near the main entrance.

Temple authorities and police regulated the flow of pilgrims as the festival drew large numbers from across the region.