Vijayawada: The three-day annual Pavithrotsavam festivities started on a grand note at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (SDMSD) atop Indrakeeladri on Thursday.

Speaking to the media persons temple EO D Bramarambha said that the Sravana Masam is auspicious to worship Goddess Mahalakshmi. The presiding deity, Goddess Kanaka Durga, will be worshipped in the incarnation of Maha Lakshmi during  Pavithrotsavam.

As part of the festivities, temple priests decorated the sanctum sanctorum with a variety of flowers and adorned the presiding deity and festive idols in silk robes. Vedic scholars and priests performed Snapanabhishekam and Pratah Kalarchana at 3 am and tied pavithrams to Goddess Kanaka Durga and performed Shata Chandi yagam.

After the rituals, the devotees were allowed to have darshanam of the deity. The festivities will conclude on August 13^th, she said. Priests will perform Mandapa Aradhana, Moolamantra Japan, havanam, saptashati, chandi homam and manthra pushpam rituals will be performed on Friday.