Ainavilli, September 9, 2013: About 70,000 people are expected to visit the deity of Lord Ganesh at the Ainavilli temple, the most famous one in the region, on Vinayaka Chaviti, according to temple executive officer, Mudunuri Satyanarayana Raju.

He said the nine-day festivities would conclude on September 17 .Chief priest of the temple M. Suribabu would perform “Phala Rasabhishekam” with seasonal fruits available in different parts of the district to the deity.

It would be followed by “laksha dhoorvarchana”.

Located in the midst of lush-green fields, coconut gardens, and the river Godavari, the temple is a prominent pilgrimage centre. It is believed that the deity here fulfils the wishes of devotees quickly. Devotees take a vow to visit the temple again once their wishes are fulfilled.

According to history of the temple, Daksha Prajapathi performed puja of Lord Vinayaka at this place for successful completion of Daksha Yagna. According to a legend, Vyasa Maharshi installed a Ganapathi idol here before setting out on his tour of South India. The presiding deity here, Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy, has been installed in a unique way.

Source: The Hindu, September 9, 2013