Vijayawada, Oct 17 (IANS): The Dasara Mahotsavam commenced in the city on Saturday at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (Kanakadurag Temple).

The famous temple will celebrate a goddess on each of these days from Saturday to October 25.

On Saturday, the temple will celebrate and worship Sri Swarnakavachalankruta Sri Durga Devi, followed by Sri Bala Tripura Sundarai Devi on Sunday and Sri Gayatri Devi on Monday.

Similarly, Sri Annapurna Devi will be worshipped on Tuesday, Sri Saraswati Devi (Mulanakshatram) on Wednesday, Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi on Thursday, Sri Mahalakshmi Devi on Friday, Sri Durga Devi (Durgastami) and Sri Mahishasuramardhini Devi (Maharnavami) on Saturday and finally Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi (Vijayadasami) on Sunday.

Saturday being the first day of the Sarannavaratris (nine auspicious days), the deity will be adorned with gold to appear as goddess Durga to the devotees.

The temple has been decked up in preparation for the celebrations.

However, amid the Covid pandemic, the temple will follow the guidelines as part of the celebrations.

Located on a hill near the banks of Krishna river, the Kanadurga Temple is very popular in the Telugu states.

Meanwhile, the Visakhapatnam-based Sri Saradapeetam has also commenced Sarannavaratri Dasara celebrations on Saturday.

Similar to Kanakadurga Temple, Saradapeetam deity Rajasyamala will also don an avatar each for the next nine days.

In a separate development, Saradapeetam has unveiled a new logo for the spiritual centre.