Rathasaptami celebrations witnessed a huge turnout across Srikakulam district on Sunday, with devotees thronging major temples from the early morning hours. In particular, the famous Arasavalli Suryanarayana Swamy temple turned into the focal point of the festival as thousands gathered to seek the deity’s darshan. The surge in footfall highlighted the spiritual importance of Rathasaptami for devotees across the region.
From dawn onwards, devotees arrived in large numbers to participate in the sacred rituals. Moreover, the three-day Rathasaptami festivities attracted pilgrims not only from nearby mandals but also from neighbouring districts. As a result, temple surroundings remained crowded throughout the day, reflecting strong devotional fervour.
Heavy crowd at Arasavalli temple
The Arasavalli temple premises and nearby roads stayed packed with devotees, leaving little space to move freely. Due to the special Nija Rupa Darshanam of Lord Suryanarayana, the rush exceeded official expectations. Consequently, managing the crowd became challenging for police and temple staff at several points.
At the same time, thousands attempted to access the VIP main entrance, leading to brief congestion. Police personnel quickly intervened and diverted devotees to regular queues. Their timely action helped prevent any untoward incidents and ensured smooth movement.
District officials supervise arrangements
Meanwhile, District Collector Swapnil Dinkar and Superintendent of Police Maheshwar Reddy personally monitored the situation. They reviewed security arrangements and coordinated with temple authorities to control the heavy inflow. Furthermore, officials requested devotees to plan their visits after 12 noon to reduce pressure during peak hours.
Authorities also clarified that no special passes were allowed during the rush period. Instead, they urged devotees to cooperate with the district administration and follow queue discipline. Their appeal aimed to ensure a safe and peaceful darshan experience for everyone.
Overall, Rathasaptami celebrations in Srikakulam continued smoothly despite the heavy crowd. With strong coordination between officials and temple staff, the district witnessed a spiritually vibrant and well-managed festival atmosphere.
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