Heavy rush at Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada on Moola Nakshatram day
Vijayawada witnessed a heavy influx of devotees at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam on Indrakeeladri on Friday, October 16, 2026, as worshippers thronged the Kanaka Durga temple on the auspicious Moola Nakshatram day. By 8 a.m., 58,714 devotees had darshan of the presiding deity, who was adorned and worshipped in the Sri Saraswati Devi alankaram for the occasion.
Large turnout expected; priority for ordinary devotees
Temple authorities estimated a total footfall of 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh devotees over the course of the day and said comprehensive arrangements were in place to manage the rush. The district administration, police and the Endowments Department jointly coordinated crowd management, traffic control and public amenities, with officials emphasising that ordinary pilgrims were being given priority.
To that end, VIP passes were cancelled for the day, a decision officials said was intended to ensure smoother access for the general public during peak hours of the auspicious observance.
Technology-led crowd management
Officials said 450 CCTV cameras had been installed across the hill and temple premises, all linked to a modern command and control centre to enable real-time monitoring of crowd flow and safety conditions. Hourly bulletins on waiting times and other updates were to be issued from the control room, while digital information screens placed at key locations kept devotees informed about queue status and movement.
Data analytics tools were also being used to estimate darshan waiting times, allowing authorities to dynamically manage queues and holding areas based on live conditions, they added.
Public amenities and safety measures
With long queues anticipated, temple and civic teams organised drinking water, buttermilk, biscuits and annaprasadam distribution at holding points and along the queue lines. Contingency plans were readied for rain, including alternative arrangements to facilitate darshan through the Mahamandapam if weather conditions turned inclement.
A special technical team monitored the stability and condition of rocks on the Indrakeeladri hill throughout the day to ensure the safety of devotees using the uphill routes and pathways. Police deployment was significantly strengthened, with about 3,500 personnel already on duty and an additional 900 personnel brought in specifically for Moola Nakshatram.
Officials’ visits and statements
Housing and Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Partha Sarathy visited the temple to offer prayers on Friday. Endowments Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan said that the number of devotees visiting the temple had increased compared with the previous year. He noted that the authorities had adopted several technology-based measures for prompt problem resolution and introduced a QR-code feedback system to improve services based on pilgrims’ inputs.
Ritual schedule
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was scheduled to offer silk robes to the Goddess between 4 p.m. and 4.30 p.m., a traditional offering aligned with the day’s special alankaram of Goddess Saraswati.
Significance of the day
Moola Nakshatram holds special significance for devotees at the Kanaka Durga temple, where the presiding deity is venerated in the form of Sri Saraswati Devi for the occasion. The day typically draws one of the largest crowds of the season, prompting extensive planning by temple authorities and local administration to ensure a safe and orderly darshan experience.
Outlook
With the expected footfall through the day reaching up to three lakh, authorities said they would continue using live monitoring, periodic advisories and on-ground coordination to maintain smooth movement, while prioritising basic amenities and safety for all pilgrims.
