Vijayawada: NTR district collector G Lakshmisha directed officials to ensure foolproof arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Bhavani Deeksha relinquishment rituals, scheduled from December 11 to 15. He stressed that the arrangements must fully support the lakhs of devotees who arrive at Kanaka Durga Temple after completing 41 days of strict Bhavani Deeksha.

The collector conducted a coordination meeting with Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhara Babu, Joint Collector S Ilakkiya, Temple EO VK Seena Naik, and officials from various departments on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Collector Lakshmisha and Police Commissioner Rajasekhar Babu inquired the temple authorities regarding the arrangements. The five-day event will be conducted at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada.

Addressing the media, the collector said that this year they are expecting around six lakh devotees in the five-day event. During last year, more than 3.20 lakh devotees had participated, he said. Nearly one lakh devotees are expected each day, with the figure likely to rise to 1.50 lakh during the last two days, he added.

The collector said 36 sectors have been formed, each headed by a special officer. He instructed sector officials to ensure smooth functioning at holding points, hair-cutting centres, bathing ghats, hill routes, queue lines, Irumudula offering points, Homa Gundams, and laddu counters. Information centres must make continuous announcements to guide devotees, he said.

Further, he said more laddu counters, free food stalls, and temporary toilets would be arranged across key locations. He added that over 10,000 devotees would participate in Kalasha Jyothi this year, and waterproof shamianas and mats would be installed along queue lines.

Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhara Babu said that robust security measures were in place, including over 300 CCTV cameras, drone surveillance, and round-the-clock monitoring from the command control room.

Temple EO Seena Naik said that arrangements similar to the Dasara Sharannavaratri festival were being made. Three Homa Gundams would be set up, 14 laddu counters established, and 20 lakh laddus and 15 lakh water bottles kept ready. A 24-hour hair-cutting centre with 850 Nai Brahmins will also be operated, he explained.

Additional DCP G Ramakrishna, DRO M Lakshmi Narasimham, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Additional Commissioner Dr D Chandrasekhar, Temple EEs KVS Koteswara Rao, P Rambabu, and senior officials from multiple departments attended the meeting.