Medical and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, MP Kesineni Sivanath, CP S.V. Rajashekar Babu during a press conference regarding Dasara festivities at Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada on Monday.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri
Over 25 lakh devotees are expected to visit the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy temple atop Indrakeeladri during the Dasara festivities from October 11 to 20, according to officials.
Minister of Medical and Health and NTR district in-charge Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav, who chaired a high-level coordination meeting at the temple on Monday (September 28, 2026), directed officials to accord priority to devotees’ safety and convenience.
The Minister said that an integrated plan had been prepared covering ghat roads, parking areas, and darshan routes. Shelters would be provided along queue lines, besides drinking water and seating. LED and digital screens would display estimated waiting times. New prasadam facilities and spacious annadanam halls would be used to serve devotees and about 60 lakh laddus were being prepared for distribution. An AI-based surveillance system would be in place to ensure safety and coordination, he said.
When it was pointed out that the government had not released any budget for the festival despite Dasara being declared a State festival more than a decade ago, the Minister parried the question.
Police Commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu said AI-enabled cameras, CCTV surveillance and a dedicated control room would provide round-the-clock monitoring. Parking facilities would be arranged at the city outskirts and major junctions, with free shuttle buses connecting them to the temple.
Asked about an alternative route if the ghat road was closed due to falling boulders or a landslide, he said devotees would be diverted through the Mallikarjuna Mahamandapam.
When it was pointed out that the Mallikarjuna Mahamandapam did not have fire clearance, he retorted: “You tell us what to do? We cannot stop devotees from visiting the temple.”
Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) said arrangements were being made to ensure satisfactory darshan for devotees. An eco-friendly, plastic-free system using ‘bubbles’ would be used to supply drinking water to devotees and special centres would provide hot milk and biscuits to mothers accompanying infants.
Endowments Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan said measures have been taken to prevent a repeat of overcrowding during Moola Nakshatram, when large numbers of devotees had returned without darshan in previous years.
Joint Collector G. Ilakkiya said medical camps, first-aid centres, and ambulances would be available round the clock. A GPS-based sanitation monitoring system, additional sanitation staff and digital kiosks would also be deployed.
Officials said the expected footfall would include devotees attending Navaratri festivities and Bhavani devotees arriving to relinquish their deeksha after the festival. Nagarotsavam would be conducted daily from 4 p.m. through city streets.
Special rituals, including Khadgamala Archana, Kumkumarchana and Chandi Homam, would also be performed during the festivities.
Published – September 28, 2026 09:01 pm IST
