Ashada Saare Mahotsavam begins at Kanaka Durga temple with traditional offering
The month-long Ashada Saare Mahotsavam commenced at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri on Wednesday, with temple priests and Vedic scholars offering the
The month-long Ashada Saare Mahotsavam commenced at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri on Wednesday, with temple priests and Vedic scholars offering the traditional first saare (Ashada Saare) to Goddess Kanaka Durga. The festival, being observed from July 15 to August 12, began with a colourful procession from the ‘Om’ turning on the Ghat Road to the temple. Temple priests, Vedic staff and their family members carried saare offerings on their heads while traditional musical troupes, Kolatam performances and Vedic chanting accompanied the procession. Temple Executive Officer V.K. Seena Nayak, Devasthanam officials and members of the temple trust board welcomed the procession at the temple entrance before escorting the Vedic team inside with customary honours.
After offering prayers to the presiding deity, priests presented the ceremonial saare and other auspicious items, including turmeric, kumkum, bangles and a silk sari to the Goddess at the Utsava idol installed on the sixth floor of the Mahamandapam. Special rituals and archana were performed. According to tradition, devotees consider Goddess Kanaka Durga as a daughter of their household and offer Ashada Saare during the auspicious month, seeking prosperity, family well-being and blessings. The first ceremonial offering by the temple’s Vedic staff marks the beginning of the annual festival. Following the rituals, Vedic scholars and their family members received Vedic blessings, sacred cloth (Shesha Vastram) and prasadam from the temple authorities.
The temple administration has made arrangements for devotees and organisations wishing to offer Ashada saare during the festival. Devotees must register at the temple counter and carry the registration certificate while entering the temple through Kanaka Durga Nagar and the Mahamandapam route. The Devasthanam has prohibited the entry of mobile phones, cameras and luggage for saare offering groups. No mobile phones Devotees have been advised to deposit their belongings, footwear and mobile phones at Kanaka Durga Nagar before entering the temple premises. The temple authorities warned that mobile phones found inside the temple complex or on the sixth floor of the Mahamandapam would be seized.
Among those present were Sthanacharya V. Siva Prasad Sharma, chief priests L. Durga Prasad and Kota Prasad, deputy chief priests B. Shankara Shandilya and Kota Ravi Kumar, other priests, Vedic staff, students of Vedic school and a large number of devotees.
The BriefWire