Woman who adds sheen to Durga Temple

The number of devotees has increased manifold in the recent past and the donors are coming forward in good number to take up more development activities voluntarily at the Durga Malleswara Swamivarla Devastanamu atop Indrakeeladri in the new capital city of Vijayawada. Earlier, the temple was besieged with allegations and controversies. However, the scenario has changed considerably, and the activities of the temple were streamlined with the initiative taken by the dynamic temple Executive Officer V Koteswaramma with the coordination and cooperation of the Trust Board members.

Many new initiatives have been taken up in the temple activities like introducing Rahu-Ketu puja for couples, Prasadam (Appam), infrastructure development, implementing dress code for devotees, Koti Gajulu Mahotsavam, Koti Deepotsavam, Suprabhatam Seva and many more by the Executive Officer after assuming charge since August 2018.Speaking to the Womenia, the IRS 2011 batch officer and Executive Officer Koteswaramma said that she will strive hard to develop the temple and take it to the next level on all fronts to attract the devotees on par with Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanam.

As daughter of the soil, she aims to develop temple on all aspects. She said that after taking charge as the temple EO, there have been many challenges before her, and she could face them boldly to take forward the development activities. Her main aim was to provide better facilities to the devotees visiting the temple, maintain sanctity of the temple and attract the devotees as the temple was the waterway for the upcoming new capital city of Amaravati.

She said by introducing Rahu-Ketu puja, a number of couples come to perform the puja which is a big success on par with Srikalahasti Temple. Appam was introduced in the Prasadam list recently which was gaining appreciation from the devotees, besides distribution of Daddojanam, Katte Pongali, Pulihora, Senagalu quantities increased as the number of devotees visiting the temple is on the rise. As a new initiative, free distribution of milk to the children was started from the Dussara festive time.

“Six shelters with Tensile fabric, benches to seat about 100 people were built right from the foot of the hill to the temple premises. The path was painted up to the temple as devotees come barefoot. Besides, greenery and carpet grass was developed on the hillock and lift service was provided to all the devotees,” she said.The EO announced that donors have come forward voluntarily to contribute for the construction of Sivalayam at a cost of Rs 8 crore which is under way, stone construction at the main entrance of the temple at a cost of Rs 8 crore which will begin shortly besides development of Vinayaka temple.

Parking place was developed near the temple which accommodates 100 cars giving good revenue also to the temple, she said.She highlighted that various programmes were organised for the Dasara Navaratri celebrations and the cost was cut by 50 percent when compared to the previous year. The sarees submitted to the Goddess are being stitched as bags to provide employment to about seven families, she said.

She said that as part of the development programmes they have submitted a detailed project report (DPR) was submitted to the Ministry of Tourism Pilgrim Amenities Development Scheme, a Central Government scheme under Pilgrim Resonations and Spiritual Augment Drive for sanction of Rs 70 crore to construct pilgrim shelters at Kummaripalem site of 2.5 acres acquired from the TTD, to develop path way, parking space, electric vehicles to transport the devotees from the pilgrim shelters.

She further said that a request was put before the CRDA to buy 15 acres on the other side of River Krishna to construct about 100 cottages in G+5 model, a Kalyana Mandapam, an Open Air Theatre for the devotees coming from other towns and cities to stay overnight. They would reach the temple through amphibian vehicles to attend the morning Suprabhata Seva. Referring to the proposed programme of development she said that under the Durga Temple there are about 40 temples which need to be developed.