The Dussehra Sharannavaratri celebrations have commenced at the Indrakiladri Ammavari Temple in Vijayawada. The festival began with the priests performing the goddess’s baptism, followed by devotees being able to have darshan at 9 o’clock. Devotees lined up from Vinayakanu Gudi as early as 4 o’clock in the morning to have darshan of Ammavari. Throughout the Dussehra Sharannavaratri, Ammavari will be adorned in different decorations each day. On the first day, Ammavari appeared as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi.
The Indrakiladri is adorned with electric lights to celebrate the festival. Ammavari gives darshan to the devotees as Ammavari Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi at 9 o’clock. Approximately 6,000 policemen have been deployed for the Dussehra celebrations, and a laser show has been arranged to celebrate the glory of Indrakiladri. New Aartis have begun at Durga Ghat, which will be a special attraction this year. Additionally, awareness programs on cyber crimes and road safety will be organized for the devotees.
It is estimated that about 13 to 15 lakh devotees will visit the temple during the 10-day mahotsavam.
Throughout the ten days of Sharannavaratri celebrations, Ammavari will appear in different daily adornments. The surroundings of the main temple are decorated with various flowers, and the temple itself is illuminated with electric lights. On the first day, Amma appeared in the adornment of Sri Balathripurasundari Devi, and darshan was allowed from 9 am.
Darshan is allowed from 3 am on all other days except the first day, with breaks at six different times every day. Darshan is not allowed during offerings to the Goddess, and each offering takes 10-15 minutes, with a total darshan break of half an hour. Additionally, during the Mahanivedana offered to the goddess every evening, there is a one-hour break for darshan.
The temple opens at 3 am every day, and the goddess is woken up, followed by baptismal programs and abhishekam. The goddess is then offered milk, and a limited number of priests decorate her. Archana is performed until 7 o’clock, followed by offerings such as pulihora, laddoos, chakrapongali, bellapu pongali, and peanuts. Darshan is not allowed during these offerings. At 9 o’clock, a royal feast is offered, and a special report is submitted between 12-1 pm. Prasad is presented at 4 pm, with darshan paused for 15 minutes. Mahanivedana is offered between 6-7 o’clock in the evening, and Panchaharati is given after Mahanivedana.