Vijayawada, Sep 18th: Elaborate security and traffic arrangements have been made along the areas of the famed Sri Kanakadurga temple atop Indrakeeladri hill as over 10 lakh devotees are expected to throng the temple for the nine-day-long Dasara festivities, beginning here today. Temple sources told UNI that more than two lakh devotees are expected on September 25, the 'Moolanakshatram Day' (birth star of Goddess Kanakadurga), where the deity will be adorned as the incarnation of Goddess 'Saraswathi'.

During the nine-day festival, the deity will be decorated in 10 different forms. The 'Kanakadurga Devasthanam' would send 'Prasadam' packets by speed post to those who pay the prescribed fee announced by the temple authorities at their nearest post offices, the sources added. The 'Teppotsavam' (boat festival) will be held on September 28 with the deity being taken in a decorated boat in river Krishna. As many as 200 vedic pandits will be felicitated on September 26 after a 'vedic sabha'. Cultural programmes will be organised round-the-clock at Kanakadurganagar besides verse plays, burrakatha, harikatha performances, classical music concerts and dance ballets.

Tight security arrangements are being put in place in view of terror threats. A large posse of police will be guarding the temple and security cameras have been installed at vital points on the devasthanam premises, the sources added. The sources said there will be no free passes for VIPs and they will have to purchase tickets for darshan. All required facilities for the pilgrims have been made and the state government is committed to conducting the Dasara festival in a foolproof manner. The Devasthanam is spending Rs 1.7 crore on the arrangements for the festival, the sources said.