The air in the erstwhile East and West Godavari districts was filled with devotion and spiritual fervor as thousands of devotees gathered to celebrate the ninth day of Dasara, a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga in all her forms. Women devotees from across the region flocked to Durga temples to perform Kumkum poojas and honor the divine in a variety of Avatars, including Mahishasura Mardhini, Mahalakshmi, and Rakthabijakshari.
In a spectacular gathering at Sree Pitham in Kakinada, nearly 30,000 women participated in the Maha Shakthi Yagam, led by the esteemed seer Paripoornananda Saraswathi. The spiritual leader announced that by Friday, a total of 89,000 crores of Kumkum poojas had been performed, with the goal of reaching over 100 crores by Vijaya Dasami Day. During his spiritual address, Swamiji encouraged devotees to focus on the poojas and seek the blessings of the Goddesses rather than emphasizing monetary offerings.
Elsewhere, at the Ayyappa Swamy temple, women offered heartfelt prayers and performed Kumkum poojas dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi Devi. Temple manager P. Gopalkrishna guided the ceremony, and auspicious coins from the revered Kamakshi Temple in Kanchi, Tamil Nadu, were distributed to participating devotees. The Goddess Kamakshi was ceremonially bathed in water from thirteen sacred rivers, symbolizing purification and blessings from across the country. Devotees also participated in a Chandi Homam, a powerful fire ritual honoring the Goddess.
Temples across the region, including Puruhuthika in Pithapuram, Manikyamba in Draksharama, Bala Tripura Sundari in Kakinada and Samalkota, and Annapurna Devi at Visweswara Swamy Temple in Kakinada, were filled with devotees, resonating with the chanting of hymns and the spirit of devotion. The celebrations reached their peak as devotees united in worship, creating a magnificent display of spiritual harmony and reverence for the divine.
With the celestial Kalyanam planned for Saturday, the final day of the celebrations, devotees are looking forward to this divine union, marking a grand finale to the Durga festivities. The devotion, rituals, and vibrant community participation have made this year’s Dasara celebrations truly unforgettable, bringing blessings and joy to all who took part.
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