Navaratri festivities begin amidst strict COVID-19 norms atop IndrakeeladriAdequate arrangements, in adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines, have been made atop Indrakeeladri hill to facilitate a hassle-free darshan to devotees during the Dasara festivities, says Brahmin Corporation Chairman and Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu. The 10-day Dasara festival began at the Kanaka Durga temple on Saturday, and the Goddess was worshipped as ‘Swarna Kavachalankruta Durga Devi’ on the first day of the festival. Addressing the media, Mr. Vishnu expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the officials for a hassle-free darshan to the devotees who visit the temple during the festivities from far flung areas. He said without making any compromise on the COVID-19 guidelines, the devotees were being sent in for darshan. But this year, in view of the pandemic, a system had been put in place to allow darshan to only 10,000 devotees in a day.

Source: The Hindu October 17, 2020 18:00 UTC