File photo shows devotees standing in queue to have darshan of Lord Sri Suryanarayana Swamy in Arasavilli temple
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
As many as two lakh devotees will offer special prayers at Lord Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple of Arasavilli, Srikakulam on the day of Ratha Saptami to be celebrated on January 25, 2026.
As the pilgrims’ number is going up by every passing year, the government provided online booking facility for darshan of the presiding deity on the auspicious Surya Jayanti. The devotees can book tickets through www.aptemples.gov.in website to take part in Ksheerabhisekham and other spiritual activities to be performed on the day of Ratha Saptami.
The devotees can download Manmitra App in their smartphones and book tickets in a hassle free manner, according to the Executive Officer of the temple K.N.V.D.V. Prasad.
The government fixed ₹500 for each Ksheerabhisekham ticket. The general tickets ranged between ₹500 and ₹100 are also being sold and devotees are advised to select the time slot at their convenient time for the darshan. He said that the devotees should come for the darshan as per the time slot mentioned in the tickets.
Meanwhile, Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar and other officials have reviewed the arrangements for the Surya Jayanti which was declared as the State festival. The special arrangements are being made for different cultural, sports, tourism and other activities to be conducted in different places from January 20 to 25.
The people can participate in helicopter rides at Dutch buildings located near the Collector’s office. A private company was authorised to hold helicopter rides for local people and pilgrims. Several sports competitions will be held at NTR Municipal High School Grounds.
KR Stadium is going to be the main venue for food exhibition, cultural play area, amusement park and others. Mega Surya Namaskar programme will be organized at 80-feet road on January 22. A Sobha Yatra will be taken up on January 23. Several Tollywood singers, musicians will hold a concert on January 24. A drone show will be organised to mark the conclusion of cultural shows. The devotees will be allowed to have darshan of the presiding deity from January 24 night. Separate queue lines will be formed to ensure hassle free darshan for the devotees on the crucial day.
Published – January 20, 2026 10:49 am IST
