Vijayawada: The Bhavani Deeksha Maladharana programme began on a grand scale at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devastanam atop Indrakeeladri on the auspicious occasion of Kartika Shudda Ekadashi on Friday.

The devotees took the deeksha on the sixth floor of the mahamandapam in the presence of temple chief priest Vishnubhatla Sivaprasad Sarma. The taking of Bhavani deeksha began after the temple Executive Officer MV Suresh Babu couple offered puja to the deity.

A huge number of devotees visited the temple for taking Bhavani deeksha chanting 'Jai Bhavani, Jai-jai Bhavani'. Special arrangements were made by the temple authorities for the convenience of the Bhavani devotees. The Vedic committee members, archakas, festival division additional executive officer, staff, Guru Bhavanis participated in the programme.

The temple authorities, in a statement, said that taking of Bhavani deeksha will be done for five days starting from November 8 to 12. The 21 days (ardhamandali) Bhavani deeksha programme will be done from November 28 to December 1.

As part of the celebrations, Kalasha Jyothi festival will be held on December 11 at 6 pm at Satyanarayanapuram Sivaramakshetram. Giri Pradakshana and Diksha Viramana will be carried from December 18 to 22 and Mahapurnahuti programme will be performed, according to the temple authorities.