Kanaka Durga temple gears up for Ugadi Vasantha Navaratri from March 19

The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam on Indrakeeladri will organise a series of religious and cultural programmes from March 19 to March 28 as part of the Vasantha Navaratri festivities, coinciding with Ugadi of the Sri Parabhava Nama year.

According to temple authorities, special Pushparchanas (floral worship) and several Vedic rituals will be conducted during the 10-day celebrations, as recommended by the temple’s Vedic committee. The programmes are being organised in view of Ugadi on March 19 and Sri Rama Navami on March 27.

The celebrations will begin in the early hours of March 19 with Snapana Abhishekam to the presiding deity, Goddess Kanaka Durga, and other deities in the sub-shrines at 3 a.m., followed by Alankaram, Archana, Nivedana and Harathi. Darshan will commence at 8 a.m., while Kalasa Sthapana and the beginning of the special Pushparchanas will be held at 9.15 a.m. at the newly-constructed puja mandapam.

As part of the Ugadi festivities, Panchanga Sravanam will be conducted at the Kalavedika at 3 p.m., followed by Mandapa Puja, Agni Pratishta and Rudra Homam at the Yagasala at 4 p.m. The traditional Silver Chariot procession (Vendi Radhotsavam) will begin at 6 p.m. from the Sri Mallikarjuna Mahamandapam and will pass through Kanaka Durga Nagar, Radham Centre, Brahmin Street, Jammidoddi, Komala Vilas, Ramanayya Cool Drinks Shop, Bodemma Hotel, One Town Police Station, Samarangam Chowk and Sreenu Hotel before returning to the Mahamandapam.

On March 26, Abhishekam and Nagavalli-leaf worship will be performed to Kshetrapalaka Sri Anjaneya Swamy, Sri Abhaya Anjaneya Swamy and the Anjaneya Swamy idol located near the steps on the occasion of Chaitra Suddha Ashtami.

Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam will be conducted at the Kalavedika at 10 a.m. on March 27 on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami.

The Vasantha Navaratri celebrations will conclude on March 28 with Poornahuti at 9 a.m., followed by Sri Rama Pattabhishekam at 10 a.m.

Temple authorities said special Pushparchanas will be performed daily at 9 a.m. from March 19 to March 27 using different varieties of flowers such as jasmine, kanakambaram, roses, chrysanthemum, mandara, lotus and sampangi.

The ticket for the special Pushparchana seva has been fixed at ₹2,500 per couple. Devotees participating in the seva will be offered prasadam, including Sesha Vastram, Ravika, Sri Chakrapitham of the Goddess and a large laddu, along with Antaralaya darshan for the couple. Tickets can be booked through the temple website or obtained at Arjitha Seva counters, according to a press release.