New annadanam and laddu facilities to open on August 21 at Durga temple

New annadanam and laddu-making facilities at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada will be inaugurated on August 21. with the facilities designed to significantly enhance prasadam preparation and distribution for devotees.

Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivnath on Friday inspected the newly completed annadanam counter and laddu potu (preparation facility) along with the temple chairman, Executive Officer and officials.

He reviewed the facilities and arrangements being made for devotees and interacted with the pilgrims to ascertain whether they were facing any difficulties. He later offered prayers at the temple.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kesineni said that State Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy would inaugurate the new facilities on August 21. All arrangements were being reviewed ahead of the inauguration to ensure that devotees faced no inconvenience, he said.

The MP said that the annadanam facility has been constructed at a cost of around ₹25 crore, while the new laddu-making facility was built at a cost of approximately ₹26 crore. The annadanam kitchen has been designed to serve 10,000 devotees in about 30 minutes. It is equipped with modern and hygienic facilities similar to those adopted in major temple kitchens, he added.

The laddu-making facility can produce up to 60,000 laddus an hour. Holding counters would be arranged during the Dasara festivities to manage the expected rush and ensure that every devotee receives prasadam without inconvenience, he added.
Mr. Kesineni said that the upcoming Dasara celebrations would be organised on a grand scale. Efforts were being made to develop the temple to serve devotees efficiently for the next 20 to 30 years.
“Devotee convenience should be the first priority,” he said, directing officials to ensure all arrangements were made with the comfort and convenience of pilgrims in mind.
Temple engineering officials, staff and members of the temple board were among those present.