Vijayawada: The nine-day Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities began at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Sunday, with Goddess Kanaka Durga appearing as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi on the first day.
Around one lakh devotees had darshan of the presiding deity, according to temple authorities.
Devotees began arriving from the early hours to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the goddess.
The temple administration, in coordination with government departments, made elaborate arrangements.
Free darshan was provided through all queue lines, while battery-operated vehicles were arranged for elderly devotees and persons with disabilities.
The Kumkumarchana commenced at the newly established puja mandapam, while preliminary rituals for Chandi Homam were performed at the yagashala in accordance with temple traditions.
The Bala Tripura Sundari Devi form symbolises purity, innocence and knowledge.
Devotees believe worshipping the goddess in this manifestation brings wisdom, good sense and mental peace.
Worshipping young girls as manifestations of the divine feminine is also an important tradition associated with this occasion.
NTR district collector Lakshmisha, police commissioner Rajasekhar, temple trust board chairman Borra Radhakrishna and executive officer Seena Naik offered prayers on the opening day.
Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) performed special pujas, while Mylavaram MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad visited the temple with his family.
Vijayawada West MLA Yalamanchili Satyanarayana Chowdary and assembly deputy speaker Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju also offered prayers.
Representatives of the Srikalahasti temple, including executive officer Venkateswarlu, MLA Sudheer Reddy and temple board members, presented silk clothes and traditional offerings to the goddess.
Protests: Media representatives, photographers and videographers resented the restrictions on coverage passes, wearing black ribbons and taking out a rally at the temple.
MP Chinni intervened and held discussions with the authorities, following which the issue was resolved.
On Monday, the second day, the Goddess will appear as Sri Gayatri Devi, revered as Veda Mata and the source of all mantras. The form symbolises knowledge, wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.
Devotees seek her blessings for good health, prosperity, mental clarity and spiritual accomplishment.
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