The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam on Monday (August 24, 2026) announced the schedule of religious programmes for Pavithrotsavams, Varalakshmi Vratam, and Sri Krishna Janmashtami atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada.Kanaka Durga temple Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik said that the three-day Pavithrotsavams will be held from August 27 to 29. The rituals will begin on August 26 with Udaka Shanti at 4 p.m.. On August 27, Suprabhatam and Snapana Abhishekam will be performed at 3 a.m., followed by the ceremonial wearing of sacred Pavithras. Sarva Darshan will commence at 8 a.m. From 8.30 a.m., Ganapati Puja, Mandaparadhana, Agni Pratishtapana, Sarva Prayaschitta Vidhi and worship of deities following Tattva Nyasa will be performed. Moola Mantra Havanams, Vedic recitations and Neerajana Mantra Pushpams will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., he said. Similar rituals will be conducted on August 28.On August 29, the final day, Mandaparadhana, Sarva Prayaschitta Vidhi, Tattva Sarva Devata Aradhana, Shanti Poushtika Homams and Kooshmanda Bali will be performed from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by Purnahuti, Kalashodvasana, Marjana and Mahadashirvachanam, marking the conclusion of the festivities, he added.The temple will also conduct Samuhika Varalakshmi Vratams on September 4, the fourth Friday of Sravana, at Sri Mallikarjuna Maha Mandapam on the sixth floor. Arjitha Vratam will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., while the free collective vratam will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. The fee for the Arjitha Vratam is ₹1,500 per person. After the vratam, one person will be permitted darshan through the ₹300 queue line. Participants will receive kumkum, a sesha vastram, ravika piece, a large laddu, two poornalu and six bangles as prasadam, he said.On Sri Krishna Janmashtami, also falling on September 4, puja and Go Puja will be conducted from 8 a.m. at the Anivetti (Ashirvachana) Mandapam in the main temple. A discourse by the temple’s Puranic scholar will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The traditional Utti Kottuta ceremony (breaking of a pot filled with flattened rice, jaggery etc) will be held at 6.30 p.m. at the open space in front of the Rajagopuram on the seventh floor of Sri Mallikarjuna Maha Mandapam, the EO said. Published - August 24, 2026 06:50 pm IST