Vijayawada's Kanaka Durga temple draws 90,000 devotees on Dasara day five

The Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada witnessed an overwhelming turnout of approximately 90,000 devotees on the fifth day of Dasara celebrations, as the ancient shrine hosted special rituals and ceremonial offerings to its presiding deities.

As part of the temple's Nagarotsavam festival programme, the sacred idols were carried in a grand procession that wound through the Krishna riverfront and the ghat road, allowing devotees to witness the procession along the water's edge. The ceremonial aarati performances held atop the hilltop shrine formed the centrepiece of the day's religious observances.

The festivities were enriched by a cultural programme that showcased the region's rich artistic traditions. Devotional music, Harikatha recitations—traditional narrative performances based on religious themes—and classical dance performances kept the assembled devotees engaged throughout the celebrations.

The large-scale attendance underscored the continued significance of the Kanaka Durga temple as one of South India's major pilgrimage destinations, particularly during the nine-day Dasara festival period when devotees gather to seek blessings during the auspicious occasion.