The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada witnessed a massive turnout during the 2026 Dasara Sharan Navaratri celebrations. Around 18.29 lakh devotees visited the Kanaka Durga Temple during the 10-day festival, held from October 11 to 20.
The temple recorded a large number of pilgrims throughout the celebrations. Devotees arrived to seek the blessings of Goddess Kanaka Durga, making the festival a major religious event in Andhra Pradesh.
The temple distributed 39.84 lakh laddus as prasadam during the festivities. The large distribution reflected the scale of arrangements made to serve the thousands of devotees visiting the shrine each day.
Food and refreshment services were also provided throughout the festival. The temple served 8,37,385 Annaprasadam meals, distributed 4.34 lakh servings of buttermilk and supplied 6.45 lakh biscuit packets to devotees.
One of the main attractions was the daily Alankaram of the presiding Goddess. Over the 10 days, devotees witnessed different divine forms, including Bala Tripura Sundari, Annapurna Devi, Mahalakshmi Devi and Durga Devi. These traditional decorations remained an important part of the Navaratri celebrations.
The festivities concluded on October 20 with Vijayadashami and the Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi Alankaram. The traditional Hamsa Vahana Teppotsavam on the Krishna River was also highlighted as an important part of the celebrations.
Medical services played a major role in managing the large crowds. Medical camps recorded approximately 1.06 lakh outpatient consultations during the festival, helping provide support to devotees visiting the temple.
With 18.29 lakh visitors, 39.84 lakh laddus distributed and extensive food and medical services, the Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple completed another major Dasara celebration. The festival brought together devotees from across the region and highlighted the scale of arrangements required for one of Andhra Pradesh’s prominent religious events.