Latest news with #SeenaNaik
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Devotees throng Indrakeeladri on last Sunday of ‘Aashada Masam'
A large number of devotees thronged the Indrakeeladri hill on the last Sunday of 'Aashada Masam' to seek the divine blessings of Goddess Sri Kanaka Durga. The rush was especially significant due to the 'Aashada Saree' offerings. Temple Executive Officer Seena Naik said that authorities allowed free entry across all queue lines from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate the surge and ensure devotees' comfort and safety. Prioritising devotee convenience and safety was more important than the revenue generated through ticket sales, he added. All VIP and Antaralayam darshan slots were cancelled, giving first priority to common devotees. Lift access was restricted only to the differently abled, elderly, mothers with infants, and those unable to walk, the EO said. 'Thanks to close supervision by assistant executive officers and designated officials on every floor of the Maha Mandapam, darshan proceeded smoothly for 62,426 devotees by 3 p.m.,' the EO said. However, Mr. Naik said that devotees were leaving their footwear carelessly despite free footwear counters being provided. The temple is incurring losses to offer these services free of cost, but devotees are not fully utilizing them, affecting cleanliness on the sacred Indrakeeladri hill, he added.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Devotees perform Giri Pradakshina at Durga temple on Guru Purnima
VIJAYAWADA: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (SDMSD) organised the sacred Giri Pradikshina around Indrakeeladri Hill on the occasion of Aashada Pournami and Guru Purnima on Thursday. Devotees from across Vijayawada and neighbouring areas thronged the Kanaka Durga temple to take part in the ritual. Temple Executive Officer (EO) V.K. Seena Naik, along with his family, offered special prayers and ceremonially broke a coconut to commence the event. Devotees, chanting hymns in praise of Goddess Durga, offered coconuts to Goddess Kamadhenu Kanaka Durga at the temple's toll gate and began their 7-km trek around the hill. The Giri Pradikshina route covered Kummaripalem Centre, Nalugu Satambala Centre, Vidyadharapuram, Sitara Junction, Milk Project, Chitti Nagar, and Brahmin Street before returning to Indrakeeladri. Thousands participated in the spiritual procession, offering prayers to Goddess Kanaka Durga and Lord Malleswara Swamy. The temple town was filled with festive fervour as pilgrims walked with devotion. The programme was designed by the temple authorities and the Vedic Committee, inspired by the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam tradition. 'Circumambulating Indrakeeladri on a full moon day is believed to fulfill wishes, as celestial deities are said to dwell here on this auspicious day,' EO Seena Naik said. The procession was enriched with devotional music, thappeta and kolatam folk dances, bhajans, and Vedic chants, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Sakambari Utsavalu begin at Durga temple
Vijayawada: Sakambari Utsavalu began on a grand note at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri here on Tuesday. The temple premise was decorated with vegetables and leaves. Temple Executive Officer Seena Naik monitored the arrangements. A large number of devotees every year donate hundreds of tons of vegetables, which are used to decorate the deities and the temple premises. Sakambari Utsavalu will be concluded on July 10. The temple administration began preparations ten days ago for Sakambari festivities as a large number of devotees visit the temple. The VIP special queue line was cancelled on Tuesday in view of the rush of devotees.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
All set for three-day Shakambari festival
VIJAYAWADA: The three-day annual Shakambari Utsavalu at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (SDMSD) atop Indrakeeladri will begin on July 8, with arrangements underway, temple authorities said. Temple EO VK Seena Naik told TNIE that over 4 lakh devotees from AP and neighbouring States are expected. The presiding deity will be adorned as Shakambari Devi, a divine form symbolising abundance and fertility, and decorated each day with fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Naik said tenders for related works have been finalised. The celebrations will begin on the morning of July 8 with rituals including Vighneswara Puja, Ruthvik Varuna, Punyavachanam, Akhanda Deeparadhana, Ankurarpanam, Vastu Homam, and Kalasa Sthapana. Introduced in 2007, the Shakambari Utsavam has grown into a significant spiritual event, supported by traders and devotees donating offerings. According to legend, Shakambari Devi defeated the drought demon Dhuroorudu and brought prosperity by turning her tears into fertile lands. A major attraction of the event is the distribution of 'Kadambam Prasadam', made from the offerings used in the deity's decoration. District Collector G Lakshmisha and NTR District CP SV Rajashekhar Babu recently reviewed arrangements and security plans. 'Additional police personnel will be deployed, and crowd management technology used during Dasara will be adopted to ensure a smooth experience,' he said.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
EO inspects works at Kanaka Durga temple Veda patasala
Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik on Thursday inspected the progress of works at Kanaka Durga temple Veda patasala (Vedic school) in Poranki. At a review meeting with the principal and supervisors, the EO also reviewed student amenities and Vedic education imparted by the school. He reviewed the progress of work he had directed during his previous visit. Officials informed him that repairs to restrooms, the RO water plant, and windows were completed. Mr. Naik directed the immediate removal of weeds from the playground and urgent repair of the building slab. He inspected the premises and directed engineering officials to ensure all pending works are completed promptly to improve facilities for the students. Meanwhile, as part of the Ashada festivities, women devotees in large groups from distant places offered Ashada Saare (ritual offerings) to Goddess Kanaka Durga at Indrakeeladri. EO Sheena Naik ensured special arrangements are in place, including darshan and prasadam. As part of security measures, the temple administration has expanded crowd management efforts, deployed more staff, and a large number of Shakti Seva volunteers. Anticipating heavy crowds leading up to Guru Purnima (July 10), the final day of the Shakambari Utsavam, the EO is considering restricting inner sanctum and VIP darshan temporarily to streamline devotee movement.
