Vijayawada: The annual Dasara celebrations started with devotion at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (Durga temple) atop Indrakeeladri here on Monday. On the first day, 47,418 devotees thronged the temple by 5.30pm. Endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, commissioner Ramachandra Mohan and temple executive officer VK Seena Naik received the deputy CM and ministers at the temple. The EO of the temple received her with temple honours, while Vedic priests offered blessings and prasadam. “To ensure a smooth darshan for all pilgrims, the district administration and temple authorities are working in coordination.