Kanaka Durga temple to host Vasantha Navaratri from March 19
The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam on Indrakeeladri will hold Vasantha Navaratri celebrations from March 19 to March 28. The festival coincides with Ugadi of the Sri Parabhava Nama year and Sri Rama Navami on March 27.
Temple authorities said they will organise several religious and cultural programmes during the 10-day festival. In addition, priests will perform special Pushparchanas (floral worship) and Vedic rituals as advised by the temple’s Vedic committee.
The celebrations will begin at 3 a.m. on March 19. Priests will perform Snapana Abhishekam to the presiding deity, Goddess Kanaka Durga, and to other deities in the sub-shrines. Afterwards, they will conduct Alankaram, Archana, Nivedana, and Harathi.
Darshan will start at 8 a.m. Meanwhile, priests will install Kalasa Sthapana at 9.15 a.m. They will also begin the special Pushparchanas at the newly built puja mandapam.
Later in the day, the temple will hold Panchanga Sravanam at the Kalavedika at 3 p.m. After that, priests will perform Mandapa Puja, Agni Pratishta, and Rudra Homam at the Yagasala at 4 p.m.
In the evening, the temple will organise the traditional Silver Chariot procession (Vendi Radhotsavam). The procession will start at 6 p.m. from the Sri Mallikarjuna Mahamandapam. It will move through Kanaka Durga Nagar, Radham Centre, Brahmin Street, Jammidoddi, and other localities before returning to the Mahamandapam.
On March 26, priests will perform Abhishekam and Nagavalli leaf worship for Sri Anjaneya Swamy, Sri Abhaya Anjaneya Swamy, and the Anjaneya idol near the temple steps. The rituals will mark Chaitra Suddha Ashtami.
Next, the temple will conduct Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam at the Kalavedika at 10 a.m. on March 27 as part of the Sri Rama Navami celebrations.
Finally, the Vasantha Navaratri festival will conclude on March 28. Priests will perform Poornahuti at 9 a.m. Afterwards, they will conduct Sri Rama Pattabhishekam at 10 a.m.
Temple authorities added that priests will conduct special Pushparchanas every day at 9 a.m. from March 19 to March 27. They will use flowers such as jasmine, kanakambaram, roses, chrysanthemum, mandara, lotus, and sampangi.
The temple has fixed the Pushparchana seva ticket at ₹2,500 per couple. Devotees who join the seva will receive prasadam, including Sesha Vastram, Ravika, the Sri Chakrapitham of the Goddess, and a large laddu. In addition, the couple will receive Antaralaya darshan.
Devotees can book tickets through the temple website. Alternatively, they can buy them at the Arjitha Seva counters, according to a press release.