Tamil Nadu Chief Minister offers prayers at Kanaka Durga Temple, attends Vijayawada Utsav

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at the Sri Kanaka Durga Temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Tuesday. | Photo credit: GN Rao

VIJAYAWADA

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay offered prayers at the Indrakeeladri Peak Sri Kanaka Durga Temple and later attended the Vijayawada Utsav 2.0 at Punnami Ghat here on Tuesday, stressing the importance of youth power, development and cooperation among southern states.

A priest presents Sesha Vastrams (silk robes) to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at the Sri Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada on Tuesday. | Photo credit: GN Rao

Arriving at the hill shrine in traditional attire, Mr. Vijay was welcomed by the temple priests. He greeted devotees waiting in queues with clasped hands before offering special prayers to Goddess Kanaka Durga.

After darshan, Vedic scholars blessed him at Aniveti Mandapam. Endowment Secretary K. Kannababu, Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan, Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi) Temple Trust Chairman and Managing Director VK Seena Naik presented him with sacred robes, prasadam and a portrait of the goddess.

Later, Mr. Vijay joined Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Vijayawada Utsav 2.0. Welcoming him on his first visit to Vijayawada after assuming office, Mr. Naidu said it was as if Goddess Kanaka Durga herself had invited him to the city.

Congratulating the organizers, Mr. Naidu said the enthusiasm of the youth strengthened his confidence in India’s future. Addressing the gathering in fluent Telugu, he ended his speech in a mixture of Telugu and Tamil.

Mr. Naidu said that Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka should prosper together and their common goal is national development. He expressed confidence that the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river linking project would become a reality benefiting the four states. He also said that India could become the leading country of the world by 2047.

Mr. Vijay said he was delighted to meet the people of Vijayawada and privileged to participate in the Navaratri celebrations. He thanked them for their warm hospitality and said the visit also provided an opportunity to discuss river connectivity with Mr. Naidu. He greeted the people and congratulated the organizers and artists associated with the festival.

Published – 13 Oct 2026 20:57 IST