The Mahanandi temple is preparing one lakh laddus for distribution to pilgrims coming to Mahanandi during the Krishna Pushkarams between August 12 and 23, temple executive officer Sankar Varaprasad said on Friday.

Pushkaram pilgrims were expected to throng the Mahanandi pilgrim centre in large numbers, he said. Temple chairman Panyam Prasada Rao addressed a review meeting with the EO and temple committee members.

The EO said Rs. 1.80 lakh was sanctioned for providing drinking water, illuminating the temple and to taking up sanitation works.

TTD Ratham

Meanwhile, the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Kalyana Ratham from Tirumala reached Mahanandi. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams priest Seshadri, who accompanied the ratham, offered prayers to Sri Kameswari Devi and Sri Mahanandeeswara Swamy.

The ratham which started from Tirumala covered Tiruchanur and Ahobilam before reaching Mahanandi. From here it would proceed to Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam, Sri Narasimha Swamy temple at Mangalagiri, Amaravati and would reach Sri Kanakadurga temple in Vijayawada on August 7.

A replica of the Tirumala temple was built in Vijayawada.

Vermillion and turmeric was being collected from all the temples, Mr. Seshadri said. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would present a silk saree arranged by the TTD and the vermillion and turmeric collected from all the temples to river Krishna on August 12, the day of the commencement of the Krishna Pushkarams, he added.

Mahanandi temple committee chairman P. Prasada Rao, executive officer Sankar Varaprasad, assistant EO Rajasekhar and Protocol Inspector Srinivasa Rao were present.