Even as the administration of Sri Kanakadurga Temple is gearing up for the smooth conduct of relinquishment of ‘Bhavani dikshas’ from December 12 to 16, cancellation of free bus services from Kanakadurganagar to Indrakeeladri is causing problems to devotees, especially senior citizens.
Accompanied by their family members, a majority of elderly persons are forced to walk through nearby Foot-over-Bridge (FoB) to have darshan of the goddess Sri Kanakadurga while others are seeking the help of those who are going to the temple on two-wheelers to drop them near the temple premises.
“In spite of joints pains, we came here. But the attitude of the temple authorities is causing hardship to us in reaching the temple. It’s difficult to climb the FoB,” complained an elderly woman.
Soon after reaching the railway or bus station, many families directly come to Kanakadurganagar to use the free bus facility, but they have been left in the lurch for the last few days due to cancellation of free bus services, devotees said.
Temple spokesperson Atchuta Ramaiah clarified that the services were cancelled to pave the way for putting up barricades for the hassle-free darshan to devotees observing ‘Bhavani deekshas’. “Services were stopped after drivers complained of difficulties they are facing due to barricades,” he said. He assured that the administration would discuss the issue with officials and ensure basic amenities to devotees. According to officials, the temple administration is making elaborate arrangements for the convenience of those observing ‘Bhavani deekshas’.
Last year, as many as six lakh devotees had relinquished ‘deeksha’ and this year, authorities are expecting seven lakh people mostly from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Nellore and Prakasam districts, besides Telangana region.
