Vijayawada, July 20, 2013: The temples in the city wore a festive look on Friday with devotees thronging in large numbers to offer prayers on tholi ekadasi, which marks beginning of Chaturmasyam.

Heavy rush was witnessed at Indrakeeladri, abode of goddess Kanaka Durga. The temple officials made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the devotees. Long queues were seen as devotees, mostly women, waited for their turn to perform puja at the temples.

There was a heavy rush of pilgrims at all bathing ghats from the early hours of the day. A surge in devotees taking dip at Bhavani ghat near Durga temple was witnessed. The Devotees strongly believe that bathing in the river Krishna and having darshan of the deity on tholi ekadasi will wash away their sins. The devotees observed fasting and consume only fruits and milk. The Saibaba temples witnessed heavy rush. The Saibaba temple managements made arrangements for anna danam. The food was served to hundreds of devotees and the needy at Saibaba temples in the city.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 20, 2013.