Bhavani Deeksha' Season Begins in City

A priest initiating devotees into Bhavani Deeksha at Bhavani mandapam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Sunday 

VIJAYAWADA: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple in the city was abuzz with devotees as more than 20,000 people took ‘Bhavani Deeksha’ Sunday.

Bhavani Deeksha is formally received by lakhs of devotees from all over the state from Nov 2 to 6 and it concludes between Dec 12 and 16. Devotees observe the ‘deeksha’ with discipline and follow certain rituals without fail to earn the blessings of Goddess Durga.

“On the first day of the ‘deeksha’, we instructed the devotees about the rituals they should follow during the ‘deeksha’ period,” said temple sthanacharya Sivaprasada Sarma.

The devotees who took the vows performed ‘mandaparadhana’ and ‘kalasa sthapana’ at Bhavani Deeksha Mandapam on the temple premises. A free ‘darshan’ of the Goddess was offered to the devotees on the occasion.

“Expecting a huge turnout, we have made extensive arrangements. We are conducting an extensive campaign through posters and pamphlets about the ‘deeksha’ in and around the temple. We have also publicised about it in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Godavari districts,” said executive officer of the temple.

‘Chandi yagam’ and ‘kalasa jyothi’ will mark the end of ‘deeksha’ in December. The devotees will finally relinquish the ‘deeksha’ with ‘purnahuti’ on Dec 16.