President Droupadi Murmu will visit the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada in October

District Collector NTR G Lakshmisha, Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu and VMC Commissioner HM Dhyana Chandra inspected the arrangements for the Dasara Navarathri Utsavams at Indrakeeladri Peak in Vijayawada on Saturday. | Photo credit: GN Rao

President Droupadi Murmu will visit Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri on October 14 during the Dasara Navarathri Utsavams and perform a special puja.

The President will attend the National Saras Mela at Punnami Ghat on October 15. The mela will be held on the banks of the Krishna to coincide with the Dasara festivities, said NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha.

Mr Lakshmisha reviewed the arrangements for the President’s two-day visit to the Indrakeeladri peak on Saturday along with Police Commissioner SV Rajashekar Babu, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra and other officials.

Officials have directed Endowments, VMC, APTransco, Medical and Health and other departments to make sure arrangements at bathing ghats, queues, ‘kesakandana shala’ and lookouts.

“Instructions have been given to ensure safe drinking water, maintain hygiene and provide medical and other facilities for devotees visiting the temple during utsavams,” Mr. Lakshmisha said.

Mr. Dhyanachandra said adequate staff would be deployed 24 hours a day to maintain cleanliness in the temple premises and bathing ghats.

Mr. Rajashekar Babu said that 22 parking areas will be arranged for Dasara Utsavams and 3,500 policemen will be deployed.

“The police will monitor the crowd and security at the Indrakeeladri peak and along the front using technology. Demonstrations will also be held at various places,” he said.

Temple Executive Director VK Seena Naik said arrangements have been made to ensure hassle-free darshan for devotees during utsavams.

“The temple will be decorated for the festival and special pujas will be performed during the utsavams,” he said.

Published – 03 Oct 2026 21:29 IST