Elaborate arrangements being made for annual ‘Margasira Masotsavam’ from December 2, says Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple EO in Visakhapatnam

Workers engaged in barricading works on Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple premises in Visakhapatnam on Friday.
| Photo Credit: V. RAJU

Elaborate arrangements are being made for the annual Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple’s ‘Margasira Masostavam’ which is scheduled to organised from December 2 to 30, this year at Burujupeta in the One Town, said Executive Officer of Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Devasthanam K. Shobha Rani.

Addressing a press conference at the devasthanam here on Friday, Ms Shobha Rani said that the annual festival will begin at 8.40 a.m. on December 2, after Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsikrishna Srinivasa Yadav, performing the first puja. Special arrangements were also made for prayers on December 5, 12, 19 and 26, the four Thursdays, which are considered to be auspicious during the Margasira Masotsavam, she said. On the first Thursday, December 5, the first puja, ‘Panchamrutha Seva’ ,will be held at 12.01 a.m., after which devotees will be allowed to take darshan.

The EO said that during regular days, they are expecting at least 3,000 devotees, while during Thursdays, over 50,000 devotees are expected to visit the temple.

Ms Shobha Rani said that a committee was formed under the chairmanship of the District Collector to coordinate the works.

‘Chaturvedi Sabha’ and ‘Archaka Sadhassu’ will be held on December 22, ‘Nadaswara Kacheri’ will be held on December 23, ‘Sahasra Ghatabhishekam’ and ‘Maha Annadanam’ are scheduled on December 26, the EO said. She said that ‘Ratha Yatra’ will be conducted from Ambica Bagh to the temple premises on December 28.

The temple EO said that arrangements are being made to ensure there are no stampede-like situation along the queue lines. Based on the police suggestions, queue lines were increased and following directions from the Collector, shades were arranged all along the queue lines, such that the devotees need not stand under the sun. She also said that around 2,000 devotees are likely to attend ‘Annadanam’ every day, while over 20,000 devotees are expected to attend ‘Maha Annadanam’

Municipal Stadium, Victoria Hospital premises and Kotha Road Arch were selected as parking places for the devotees. Special free buses will operated to the temple, she said.