Visakhapatnam has embraced the festive spirit of Navratri, with devotees flocking to perform pujas dedicated to Goddess Durga’s Balatripura Sundari form on the first day of the nine-day celebration. The city’s temples, including Kanaka Mahalaxmi, Beach Road Kali, Allipuram Durga, and Kanika Parmeswar, witnessed an influx of worshippers who gathered to offer their prayers and seek blessings.
Across the city, pandals adorned with Durga idols have been set up in various localities, adding to the festive atmosphere. City police granted permission to 56 out of 255 organizations that applied to erect pandals in different areas of Vizag, while the remaining applications are still under review.
The Bengali community in Visakhapatnam, however, will commence their Durga Puja celebrations from Naga Panchami, which falls on the fifth day of Navratri. According to Alok Dutta, a member of the Waltair Kalibari Committee, the grand festivities will span Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami (October 10–12), during which free Bhog Prasadam will be distributed to thousands of devotees.
Local idol makers like Keta Srinivas have felt the impact of a shortage of workers this year, resulting in a decrease in the number of Durga idols produced. While last year, they crafted 60 to 70 idols, this year’s production has been limited to 30 to 35 idols. Despite these challenges, the tallest Durga idol in Vizag stands at an impressive 13 feet and is priced at ₹75,000, becoming a centerpiece of the city’s celebrations.
The festive spirit is in full swing across Visakhapatnam as the city prepares to honor Goddess Durga with devotion, grandeur, and community togetherness throughout the nine days of Navratri.
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