Over 50,000 devotees throng Gangapur temple in Asifabad

More than 50,000 devotees gathered at Sri Balaji Venkateshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Gangapur village for the annual Gangapuri Jatara. Special transport, security and facilities were arranged as pilgrims offered prayers and performed rituals

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: A large number of devotees congregated at the ancient Sri Balaji Venkateshwara Swamy Devasthanam at Gangapur village in Rebbana mandal as part of the annual Gangapuri Jatara on Sunday.

Officials said that over 50,000 devotees belonging to different parts of the district, as well as neighbouring Mancherial and Maharashtra, thronged the shrine by forming serpentine queue lines. They had darshan of the deity and offered special prayers. They took a holy bath in a stream before visiting the temple. They broke coconuts to express gratitude for their well-being and fulfilment of wishes.

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The devotees arrived at the sacred place using different means of transport, including bullock carts, trolleys and tractors. They camped under makeshift tents since Saturday night. They cooked food and dined under the tents along with their family members and friends. They shopped for toys for children and swarmed around eateries to savour snacks and fresh juices.

Traffic restrictions were imposed to avoid traffic snarls on NH 363 and on roads leading to the village. Parking lots, temporary toilets, lighting systems and first aid kiosks were created for the convenience of devotees. TGRTC operated special buses in view of the Jatara. Security arrangements were made to avoid untoward incidents. Over 200 policemen were deployed to maintain law and order.