Annadanam, Mahaprasadam buildings opened at Kanak Durga temple in Vijayawada

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Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy serving prasadam to devotees after inaugurating the Annadanam Sadanam at Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Friday. | Photo Credit: G.N. RAO

Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy inaugurated Sri Kanakadurga Annadanam Sadanam and Sri Durga Bhavani Mahaprasadam Bhavanam, built at cost of ₹52.50 crore, at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri on Friday.

After inaugurating Sri Kanakadurga Annadanam Sadanam, Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath served annaprasadam to devotees. They also participated in a Purnahuti programme at Sri Durga Bhavani Mahaprasadam Bhavanam. Built at a cost of ₹26 crore, Sri Kanakadurga Annadanam Sadanam has a total built-up area of 5,400 square metres.

Workers prepare laddus at the new Mahaprasadam Bhavanam at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Friday. | Photo Credit: G.N. RAO

Speaking to the media, Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy said the government was focusing on the comprehensive development of the Indrakeeladri temple and improving facilities for the growing number of devotees.

The Minister said steps were being taken to lay the second ghat road to provide a permanent solution to traffic congestion atop Indrakeeladri and ensure uninterrupted access during emergencies.

A proposal to lay an approximately 700-metre road from Kummaripalem is under examination, with the Roads and Buildings Department and a consultancy agency studying its feasibility. Officials had been instructed to complete the reports at the earliest and take up further action, he said.

The government is also examining plans to utilise about three acres of land belonging to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) at Kummaripalem for the benefit of devotees.

A seven-storey building has been proposed, incorporating multi-level parking and accommodation facilities. The proposed complex is expected to benefit around 15,000 devotees at a time.

The Minister said proposals were being prepared for a large tonsuring facility near the Durga Ghat. The possibility of using nearby municipal corporation land for the project is under consideration. Plans are also being drawn up to install a 25-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya near the first bend of the ghat road, he said.

With lakhs of devotees expected to visit the temple during the Dasara festivities, the government is making arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations. Continuous drinking water supply in queue lines, distribution of milk and prasadam, sanitation and security would be given a priority, he added.

Government Whip Yarlagadda Venkat Rao, Swachh Andhra Corporation chairman Kommareddy Pattabhiram, 20-Point Programme Implementation Committee chairman Lanka Dinakar, Brahmin Corporation chairman Buchi Ram Prasad, Endowments Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan, temple trust board Chairman Borra Radhakrishna, Executive Officer V.K.