Vijayawada: The three-day Shakambari festival commenced with grandeur at the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri Hill on Tuesday. The temple, transformed into a lush green haven, was lavishly decorated with over 50 tonnes of fresh vegetables and fruits donated by devotees from across the state. This vibrant celebration marks the worship of goddess Kanaka Durga as Shakambari Devi, the goddess of vegetation and nourishment.Temple priests and scholars marked the auspicious occasion of Ashada Shuddha Trayodashi, which is considered sacred to invoke Shakambari Devi. According to Sthana Acharya Shiva Prasada Sharma, the festival will conclude on Guru Purnima, which falls on Thursday. “Goddess Shakambari is the incarnation of goddess Kanaka Durga. Worshipping her is believed to make land free from famines and drought. People offer prayers seeking good health and prosperity,” Sharma said.Executive officer Seena Nayak inaugurated the festival by performing special pujas at the temple. Speaking on the occasion, he announced that VIP and inter-temple darshans will be suspended from 10 am to 2 pm during the three days to ensure smoother access for ordinary devotees. He added that temple staff vacations were cancelled, and special crowd management duties were assigned to handle the massive footfall expected.On the first day, 50 tonnes of vegetables were used for decorating the temple, and devotees played a key role. The vegetables were sourced from Krishna, Godavari, and Guntur districts, and collection began nearly 10 days prior to the event.The temple premises have taken on a festive aura, with both the main deity and Utsava Murthy adorned in vibrant green decorations. Over 3 lakh devotees are expected to participate in this unique celebration, with special arrangements made for smooth darshan and cultural programmes.
