The Vijayawada Dasara festivities are set for a sharper surge in demand, with the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam preparing an additional 30 lakh laddus and reviewing safety arrangements for the Teppotsavam at Indrakeeladri.
The temple has sold 14,11,393 laddus during the first seven days of the festival, which is being held from October 11 to 20. Authorities expect around 25 lakh devotees, including Bhavani devotees, to visit the shrine during the festivities.
The temple expects the rush to increase between October 18 and 23 and has planned additional production to prevent shortages. Laddus are being supplied in six-laddu boxes, three-laddu boxes and single-laddu packs, allowing devotees to choose quantities according to their requirements.
To manage sales across the pilgrimage and transport network, the temple has made 19 counters available at different locations. These include 11 main counters, comprising nine regular counters and two online counters, as well as one ATM laddu counter, three counters at the railway station, two at the bus stand and one VIP counter uphill. Four additional points have been earmarked for emergencies and other requirements.
Daily sales have risen unevenly but sharply as the festival has progressed. The temple sold 1,45,186 laddus on the first day, 1,20,783 on the second, 1,48,119 on the third, 1,67,711 on the fourth, 2,17,730 on the fifth, 3,15,342 on the sixth and 3,02,522 on the seventh day. The seventh-day figure was more than twice the first day’s sales.
The distribution plan places counters at locations that serve different parts of the visitor flow, including the railway station and bus stand. The arrangement is intended to support access to prasadam beyond the hilltop temple premises and reduce pressure on the main counters as the number of devotees increases.
Alongside the laddu preparations, officials conducted a trial run of the Hamsa Vahanam, a swan-shaped float, at Durga Ghat for the Teppotsavam. NTR district collector G. Lakshmisha, police commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu, temple executive officer V.K. Seena Naik, Sthanacharya Siva Prasad Sarma and officials from several departments inspected the arrangements.
The officials reviewed safety measures, operational preparedness and precautions intended to prevent inconvenience to devotees during the float festival. They also stressed the need for coordination among departments for the safe and orderly conduct of the event.
The temple authorities said advance arrangements had been made to maintain sufficient laddu supplies in proportion to the expected rush. The next operational focus will be the higher visitor volume anticipated from October 18, alongside preparations for the Teppotsavam at Durga Ghat.
