DWARAPUDI AYYAPPA SWAMY TEMPLE

                 Rajahmundry: Dwarapudi-which is known as `Andhra Sabarimala' and abode temple of Swamy Ayyappa was crowded on Saturday evening to have `makara darshan'. Thousands of Ayyappa devotees, who cannot afford to go to Sabarimala to have makara darshan thronged to Dwarapudi from Saturday morning. In 1989, Swamy Ayyappa panchaloha idol was installed in Dwarapudi temple in Mandapeta mandal of East Godavari district, by Swami Jayendra Saraswati and the largest Haihara statute, the holy 18 steps and group of temples in one huge complex are the main attraction for this Ayyappa temple.
           On Saturday morning, the temple committee organised `Ganapati Homam' at 4.30 a.m., `Irumudi Abhishekams' to Swami Ayyappa around 6.30 a.m. and main Abhishekams to Dwadasa Jyothirlingalu, Astadasa Uma Visweswara Swami, Durga and Shirdi Saibabu were held one by one up to afternoon. Camphor was lit (makara jyothi) around 6.30 p.m., when star Makara was seen in the sky.