Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Malleshwara Swamy Temple, Indrakeeladri, Vijayawada, Krishna (Dt), AndhraPradesh, India

VijayaWada Kanaka Durga Temple is a famous Hindu Temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is located on the Indrakeeladri hill, on the banks of Krishna River. Kaalika puraana, Durgaa sapthashati and other vedic literature have mentioned about Goddess Kanaka Durga on the Indrakeelaadri and have described the deity as Swayambhu, (self-manifested) in Triteeya kalpa.

  

VijayaVada Kanaka Durga Devi Temple History

In good olden days a Yaksha named 'KEELA' had been performing awful penance about holiest goddess Durga. Goddess Durga was pleased by his penance and appeared to him. She asked him to beg a boon. Keela was so happy by the words of goddess Durga and begged like this, "O holy Mother! you should always be in my heart. This is the one and only my desire". Listened goddess Durga and gave the boon with showering the lunar lights of smile and said, "My Son! You remain here at this holiest planes of river Krishna in the form of mountain. In Krithayuga, after the assassination of demons, I will remain in your heart".

As such, by the order of goddess Durga, Keela had been waiting in the form of mountain for goddess Durga. After sometime, in the Krithayuga goddess Durga killed Mahishasura who was a disaster for World. Then goddess Durga shined on the Keela Mountain with eight arms in the form of MAHISHASURA MARDINI as she had given boon to keela. On this mountain, goddess Durga had been glowing with the lighting of crores of suns, with golden colour. Since that, Indra and all the deities praised her chanting "KANAKA DURGA" and they had been worshipping her daily. This mountain has attained the name "INDRAKEELADRI" from those times, since all the deities are visiting this mountain. Likewise, since goddess Durga shined on this mountain with golden colour glowing, the name 'KANAKACHALA' also attained by this mountain. Holy Indrakeeladri mountain became holiest after prevailing goddess Durga on this. Then Brahma Deva had a sacred intution that Lord Siva also should prevail on this mountain. For this holy purpose, he had performed 'Sata Aswamedha Yaga'. By this, lord Maheswara pleased with his devotion and rested in the form of 'Jyothirlinga' on this mountain. By the first time, Brama Deva worshipped lord Siva with Jasmin flowers (Mallika) with great devotion. Since Lord Siva was worshipped with Jasmin flowers by Brahma Deva, he has attained the name. 'MALLIKESA'. After this, in Dwaparayuga Arjuna, middle one of the Pandavas, awfully penanced about Parameswara, seeking 'Pasupatastra'. Parameswara wanted to test Arjuna and fau,ght with him. Finally Lord Siva pleased with the devotion and dauntlessness of Arjuna and offered him Pasupatastra. From that day 'MALLIKESA'had attained the name 'MALLIKESWARA' since he faught with Arjuna with greatest bravery. Days were passing on and on. In Kaliyuga, Jagadguru Sri Adi Sankaracharya observed that the Malleswara Jyothirlinga was in bad invisible condition and he re­installed Malleswara Swamy at the Northern Part to the temple of Goddess Durga. From that day onwards, Malleswara Swamy also has been worshiping by all the devotees. Since goddess Durga has been prevailing at the Southern direction to Lord Malleswara, this Indrakeeladri renowned in the World as power prominent centre the "KANAKA DURGA KSHETRA"

The temple of Kanaka Durga the Goddess of power, riches and benevolence and the presiding deity of Vijayawada, is swarmed by lakhs of pilgrims for worship during the "Navarathri" festival which is celebrated with Religious fervour, pomp and festivity. The small but ancient temple of Kanaka Durga , a top the Indrakeeladri hill on the banks of the Sacred river Krishna in Vijayawada abounds with legends of historical interest.
Indrakeeladri is unique in that it has been the chosen abode of Kanaka Durga and Her consort Malleswara as Swayambhu (the self-existent one). Here Durga is one the right side of Malleswara as against the tradition of Goddesses taking their position on the left of their consorts. This shows that Shakthi is predominant on the Indrakeeladri.

Kanaka Durga Temple is synonymous with Vijayawada. It is mentioned in the sacred texts.
This is the place where Arjuna obtained the Pasupatha astra after his great penance for Lord Shiva. The temple was constructed for Goddess Durga by Arjuna. It is connected by steps and a ghats road.
The temple occupies an important place in the scriptures as several of the Siva-leelas and Shakti-mahimas were enacted on or around it, making the region a place of unequaled spiritual significance and attracting pilgrims since time immemorial.
It is mentioned in the Vedas that the deity in the Kanakadurga temple is regarded as 'Swayambhu' or self-manifested, hence considered very powerful.
Inscriptions of different dynasties are found in the temple

Legend of Vijayawada Kanaka Durga

According to a legend, the now verdant Vijayawada was once a rocky region strewn with hills that obstructed the flow of River Krishna. The land was thus rendered unfit for habitation or cultivation. Invocation to Lord Shiva for His intervention directed the hills to make way for the river. And lo! the river started flowing unimpeded with all its might, through the tunnels or "Bejjam" bored into the hills by Lord Shiva. That is how the place got its name Bezawada.

One of the many mythologies associated with this place is that Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva on top of Indrakeela hill to win His blessings and the city derived its name "Vijayawada" after this victory. Another popular legend is about the triumph of goddess Kanakadurga over the demon King Mahishasura. It is said that the growing menace of demons became unbearable for the natives. Sage Indrakila practiced severe penance, and when the goddess appeared the sage pleaded Her to reside on his head and keep vigil on the wicked demons. As per his wishes of killing the demons, Goddess Durga made Indrakila Her permanent abode. Later, She also slayed the demon king Mahishasura freeing the people of Vijayawada from evil.

At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting four-foot high icon of the deity is bedecked in glittering ornaments and bright flowers. She is shown eight arms, each holding a powerful weapon, in a standing posture over the demon Mahishashura and piercing him with her trident. The goddess is the epitome of beauty.

Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakiladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different deities, prominent among are Kali, Shiva, and Krishna.

Legend has it that the demons acquired great powers by appeasing the Gods and began harassing the sages on the earth. Goddess Parvathi assumed various forms to kill these demons. It was kausiki to kill Sumbhu and Nisambhu, Mahisasura Mardini to kill Mahishasura and Durga to kill Durgamasura. "Kanaka Durga because she was aglow with golden hues, and prayed Her to stay on earth and bless them. Kanaka Durga asked Keeludu an ardent devotee to take the form of hill to enable Her stay on him. Thus Keeladri became the abode of Durga. She took the form of Mahisasura Mardini with eight arms holding different weapons, riding on a lion and trampling Mahishasura on the hill of Indrakeeladri. Her consort Shiva took his place on an adjacent hillrock as Jyothirlinga. He was worshipped by Lord Brahma with jasmines (Mallelu) whereby he got the name of Malleswara Swamy. As celestial beings like Indra visited the place, the hill came to be called Indrakeeladri.

Here it was according to another legend, that Arjuna performed penance and fought with Lord Shiva, who had appeared in the guise of Kiratha to win pasupathastra, the most powerful weapon. So this place is also called phalguna theertha.
When Indrakeeladri came in the way of the River Krishna the Gods requested the hill to allow the river to pass through it to join the sea. Keeludu obliged and gave a small passage for the river. But the ferocious Krishna made the passage larger than permitted and carried a part of the hill four miles downstream to Yanamalakuduru, where there is now a hillrock called "Thelukonda" or floating hillrock. According to another legend, Kanaka Durga borrowed the nose-stud of the Krishna and to avoid returning it jumped up the hill. Krishna vowed to take back her ornament by raising her level to the hill top by the end of kaliyuga

Adi-Sankaracharya visited the temple and installed the Srichakra and initiated workship of Kanaka Durga in vedic ways.

Hiuan Tsang, a Chinese traveler wrote that he has seen many stone inscriptions in the vicinity of the temple that revealed historic events.

Palakethu Bhupaludu made two inscriptions in the period 1150-1240 A.D. One related to unimpeaching Madhava Varma the ruler of this area. The son of poor women was killed when he fell under the wheels of the chariot of the king’s son.

When she sought justice, Madhava Varma's advisers said that he should be punished with death. But they felt that the offender being the son of the king, could be spared the punishment. When Madhava Varma shown his impartiality by punishing his son with death, there rained gold on Vijayawada and both the boys were blessed to live again.

In yet another incident Malleswara stood by one of his staunch devotees Sripathi Pandithaiah, who believed there was no other God by Malleswara; and his stubbornness made the people ostracize him and he was even refused fire. The enraged Pandithaiah sought the blessings of Malleswara and cursed the people that they would not get fire any more, for he had taken possession of it, packed it in a silk cloth and hung it on a branch of a Sami Vriksham. The people had to apologise to Pandithaiah at the instance of their King, to get back the fire.

The nine-day festival of Navarathri ends on Vijaya Dasami Day when people worship arms and perform ayudha Pooja. Local chieftains used to celebrate the festival with pomp. Once a police officer refused them permission to display their arms on Vijaya Dasami day. He got a cable from that he was dismissed from service following many complaints against him. Terrified by the events, the Officer not only permitted the people to celebrate Vijaya Dasami but also took part in it. Later he got another cable canceling his dismissal order. Thenceforth, it became a tradition for policemen to celebrate Vijaya Dasami, which is still in vogue.

Kanaka Durga is specially decorated as Balatripura Sundari, Gayathri Annapoorna. Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Lalitha Tripura Sundari, Durga Devi, Mahissura Mardini and Raja Rajeswari Devi on each day of the Narvarathri festival. On Vijaya Dasami day, the deities are taken in a swan-shaped boat around the Krishna river, popularity known as "Theppotsavam".

Though a ghat road was laid in 1969, most of the pilgrims prefer to climb the steps leading to the temple an arduons task for women and children. Some devotees climb the hill,decorating the steps with turmeric powder and vermilion to redeem their pledge of Metla Pooja.

The number of pilgrims visiting the temple has been ever increasing and its present annual income is touching Forty Crores. A second prakara Mandapam is constructed with first floor on the North and West, besides under taking several other works for beautification and public convenience.

For the first time in the living memory "Sathachandiyagam" was performed in the temple from 28-12-1987 to 2-1-1988, for the benefit of mankind, as also to protect them from all evils.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and is presently managed by an Executive Officer of the rank of Joint Commissioner of Endowments.

VIJAYAWADA is practically the centre of Andhra in all its aspects. It is an important junction in the Madras-Calcutta, Madras - Delhi routes, and probably the foremost town of Andhra. It contains three ancient temples viz., the Kanakadurga temple, the Malleswaraswamy temple and the Vijayeswaraswami temple. These are the three temples of Vijayawada.

Vijayawada is known in mythology as Vijayavata, and is mentioned in some inscriptions as Rajendracholapura also. it is a famous place of pilgrimage on the river Krishna, and 'has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva in his aspect of Malleswara or Jayasena. Sage Agasthya is said to have been the greatest devotee of this deity and admirer of the deity's several leelas.The origin or installation of Kanaka - durga Devi at Vijayawada is unknown. She is said to be Swayambu or selfmanifest. She also takes the aspect of Chandi or destroyer of the demon Durgama who was causing havoc among the peace - loving inhabitants of Dakshinapatha.

Mallikarjuna or the Malleswara as he is known in the Puranas is said to have been installed by Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pancha Pandavas, as a token of their victory of the South. Thribhuvana Malla, Western Chalukya King of the 10th century A.D, historically constructed the temple.The installation of Vijayeswara is said to have been done by Arjuna, one of the Pancha Pandavas, to commemorate his victory with Lord Siva in the shape of Kirata or hunter.

The place Vijayawada is surrounded by many hillocks and the most important of them is Seethanagaram, while the less important is called the Kanakadurga or Kanaka konda. On the southern side of the Kanakadurga temple, is a hillock with sculptures bearing inscriptions, indicating the names of Gods and Goddesses cut below them. Most of these figures are forms of the Goddess in her aspect of Durga, which are dealt with in the Mantra Sastras. Traditionally these hills were originally continuous and at the commandof the Lord, they got separated, making enough space for the river Krishna to pass through.

One of these hills is called Indrakila, which is a famous hill mentioned in the Mahabharata as the place where the Pandava hero Arjuna obtained from Lord Siva an important weapon called Pasupatastra. The aspect of Lord Siva who appeared before Arjuna for granting him the boon is Kirata or the hunter. Bharavi in his celebrated Kavya "The Kirtarjuneeya" has immortalized this. The temple of Vijayeswara is attributed to Arjuna to commemorate the event of obtaining Pasupatha. The shrine has the representation of this and many other events of the Mahabharata commemorated in sculpture

The legend is as follows:

During their wanderings in the forest, the Pancha Pandavas came to Darukavana, where Vedavyasa met them, and told them that one of them should perform Tapascharya in praise of Lord Siva, and obtain from him, the Pasupatastra as a boon, so that they may easily conquer their enemies. Arjuna was chosen for this task and be betook himself to the top of the Indrakila hill (which is said to be the same as the Indrakila hill of Vijayawada) and was performing intense Tapascharya, with his arms upraised, and standing on one foot, and surrounded by the Pancha Agnis or five fires, with four artificial fires around him, and the fifth being the Sun God himself above him. Being pleased with the great Tapascharya of Arjuna, Lord Siva wanted to further test his sincerity, before granting him the desired boon, and therefore took the form of a Kirata or hunter. Parvati also dressed herself as a huntress and the Sivagana of the Lord also came in several disguises. Accompanied by all these, Lord Siva was hunting on the Indrakila bill, driving a wild boar in front of him.

The wild boar came to the side of Arjuna, and Arjuna being a great warrior, took up his bow, and shot it with a single arrow. At the same time, Lord Siva who was following it also shot it with an arrow, and being struck by both the arrows, the boar fell down dead in the middle. Both the Lord and Arjuna claimed the boar as their kill, and a -controversy arose between them, as to whom the boar should belong. Words led to physical quarrel shortly, and the Lord and Arjuna began to wrestle with each other. An experienced and powerful wrestler though he was, Arjuna was no match before the Lord himself, and was soon exhausted. Even in the midst of that desperate struggle, he never lost his one-pointedness of mind and devotion to the Lord.

To invoke divine aid in his favor, he made a Shivalinga out of the earth, worshipped it, and offered prayers to it. He saw the flowers, with which he worshipped the Linga, as physically falling on the hunter before him and he thereupon realised that the hunter was none other than the Lord himself. The hunter immediately disappeared and the Lord appeared himself before Arjuna, in all his glory. Arjuna prayed to him and his prayer was granted, and Pasupatha was given to him by Lord Siva, As a commemoration of this great event, Arjuna is supposed to have installed the Vijayeswara temple here, in the Indrakila hill.

In the Indrakila there are several rock-cut temples. These were supposed originally to be ancient temples, but during the course of time, they were completely buried under debris. When quarrying for stone and road metal was done, they were revealed, and the rock-out temples were preserved as protected monuments. There is in the temple an excellent stone sculpture, which contains in all its four faces the story of Kiratarjuneeyam.

There are interesting legends about the origin of the Malleswaraswamy temple also. It is stated that, prior to the Kaliyuga, the sage Agasthya had named the Lord at Vijayawada as Jayasena.The Mahabharata hero Arjuna, who was a great wrestler or Mallayoddha, called the Lord as Malleswara. The thus famous Lord Siva so goes the legend, graces with his presence and blesses the town Vijayawada on the banks of the sacred Krishna River.

There is another legend about this in which it is stated that in the Kaliyuga, as early as Saka year 117, there was a king famous on earth by name Madhava Varma. The son, of this Icing once killed by accident the child of a woman who eked her livelihood by selling the fruits of tamarind trees (Intrini-Jeevini). The king, who meted out justice according to the principles of Dharma, sentenced his own son to be banged, in order to uphold the principles of justice. Pleased at this impartial attitude and the adherence to principles of Dharma, of this king, God Malleswara came down and showered gold on him, which brought back to life the deceased prince and the dead child.

Thus the great Lord Malleswara. Established in this world, the name of the great King Madhava Varma. Later on a pious devotee by name Panditharadhya came here, and proclaimed to the world that the devotees of Lord Siva were superior even to the sages. He illustrated the truth of this, by bundling up live, coal in a piece of cloth, with the tender twig of a Sami tree, without burning it. God Malleswara was pleased with it and manifested himself to this devotee. This Lord according to the popular legend, is Mahadeva Malleswara, "the endless one ' the lover of his devotees and worshipping whom the lords of the earth prospered of old".

There is an inscription in the temple, of the 9th century A.D., in the usual Telugu script. The inscription is strangely recorded from bottom upwards. Its purport is to say that a certain Thrikoti Boyi or Trikoti Boyu, the son of Kaliyama-Boy of Pechchevada, set up the pillar as a commemoration of his own fame, in order to secure distinction for his race. The Thrikoti Boyi is identified in the inscription with a Guhyaka Yaksha, who in Dwaparayuga was directed by Indra to direct Arjuna to Indrakila hill, where Arjuna should worship the Lord Siva in order to obtain Pasupatha from him.

Besides being a religious centre, Vijayawada is also the very centre of Andhra culture. The Chalukyas of Kalyani once conquered this place, and the famous Chinese Huin. Tsang had visited this place in 639 A.D. when Buddhism was at its zenith. Vijayawada that is a famous centre of Andhra thus enshrines three important and ancient temples and the temple of Kanakadurga is especially a sacred and powerful one, which attracts a large number of pilgrims even now.

Fairs and festivals

Vasantotsavam or Vasanta Navaratri in Chaitra masam

Shakambari Navaratri in Ashada masam,

Maha Sharan Navaratri or Durga Devi Navratri in Ashwayuja masam 

Vasantotsavam or Vasanta Navaratri in Chaitra masam

The temple of goddess Kanakadurga atop Indrakeeladri witnessed an unusual bustle on Ugadi. A large number of devotees thronged the temple premises for a darshan of the goddess and be a part of the week-long Chaitra Maasa Vasantha Navaraatratri Utsavaalu (Chaitra Vasantotsavam) kicked off by the temple authorities.  During the festival period, special pujas will be offered and the goddess will be adorned with different varieties of flowers on each day as part of Laksha Pushpaarchana Puja.

This will be followed by Chaitra Brahmotsavam celebrations from March Or April

The temple authorities also felicitated donor of the funds used to build a shed on the open space on the temple premises.

Shakambari Navaratri in Ashada masam

Ashada Navarathri  festival, Nine festive nights that falls during the month of ashadam , is on auspicious occasion in the temple. Ashada Navarathri uthsavam is all so called as Shakambari Navarathri. Ashada Navarathri celebrations being on ashada shukla paksha padyami (first day of ashada masam)   and culminated on Dashami

Goddess Kanakadurga As Shakambari Devi

 During  Ashada Navarathri, For Tree Days goddess kanaka durga idol (Presiding deity in Durga Malleshvara swamy temple)  is appeared in the Alankar of Shakambari devi. Durga idol is decorated with Vegetables and Fruits and worshiped as Shakambari Maa    

             

Sri Durga Malleshwara Swamy

Dasara Celebrations at Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple

Special pujas are performed during Dasara also called Navaratri. The most significant are Saraswati puja and Theppotsavam. The festival of Dasara for Goddess Durga is celebrated here every year. A large number of pilgrims attend the colourful celebrations and take a holy dip in the Krishna River.

Vijaywada Kanaka Durga Devi Avatars during Dasara

Vijaya dashami is one of  the important festival in andhra.It is celebrated for 9 days and  concludes on the 10th day of vijaya dashami.This festival is celebrated in all the temples of goddess Durga.Goddess durga is decorated in nine forms for nine days.This festival is celebrated with much fan fare in vijaywada kanaka durga temple.  My good friend and a fellow food blogger who is a resident of vijaywada has written an excellent write up on how the 9 days festivities are conducted and celebrated at the kanka durga temple in  vijaywada which is located in coastal Andhra on the banks of river Krishna. I would like my readers to have a ring side view of the festivities through the eyes and thoughts of rekha who happens to be resident of the famous temple town of vijaywada. Dasara – Sharan Navaratrulu is one of the most famous festivals in India. In Vijayawada (Andhra pradesh) Kanaka Durga Temple is very famous for this festival, especially for KanakaDurga Devi alankarams they do to Kanaka durga Devi main idol in the temple

Day 1 -SRI SWARNA KAVACHALAKRUTA DURGA DEVI

Every day we offer different prasadams to Goddess.The first day halwa and poori are offered to the goddess

Day 2 - SRI BALA TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI

On this day Durga Devi is decorate as bala. Bala means small child. On this day small kids under 2 -10 years will be given new cloths and also some gifts . Payasam is offered today as prasadam

Day 3 - SRI ANNAPURNA DEVI

Goddess of food. Anna means food,poorna means full, complete. She is the symbol for the one who grants nourishment on every level. She is the supreme Goddess of Kasi ( well known as Varanasi).Before taking any food Hindus chant the prayer of Annapoorna and distribute food in a large scale. Goddess Annapoorna is described as holding a golden spoon in her right hand and a vessel full of Paramannam(rice pudding) in her left hand.Pongal and minapa garelu (vada) are offered are prasadam.

Day 4 - SRI GAYATRI DEVI

one of the form of maa durga is worshiped by her devotees. Goddess Gayatri is considered the Veda mata, The mother of Vedas. Vedas are large body of texts, composed in Vedic Sanskrit and they form the oldest layer of Sanskrit Literature, and the oldest sacred text of Hinduism, Goddess Gayatri is the mother of the Vedas.

 The goddess often sits on a red lotus flower and appears with five heads and five pairs of hands and representing the incarnations of the Goddess as parvati, saraswati and she is especially identified with saraswati. Nimmakaya (lemon) pulihora is offered as a prasadam.

Day 5- SRI LALITHA TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI

She is the Echa, Chaitanya Gnyana shakthi swaroopini. Lalita means ”she who plays”, all creation, manifestation and dissolution, Tripura means the three worlds Svarloka ( heaven) Bhuloka ( Physical world) patala (Hell), Sundari means most beautiful so in full Lalitha Thripura Sundari means” The Most Beautiful Girl in the three Worlds”. She is the Goddess of bliss.

The lalitha Sahasranama is one of the famous prayers of Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi, details her charms from head to foot, and describes her as a mother to all beings in the World. Lalitha sahasranamam is a very powerful prayer of Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi especially auspicious to chant this on Fridays.

It is very auspicious to chant Lalitha Sahasranama on this day.Daddojanam (curd rice) or Gudannam (bellapu Annam, jaggery rice) as prasadam. She appears enthroned with her left foot upon the sri chakra, holding her traditional symbols like sugarcane, flower, noose (pasam), goad (amkusam), and right side with Goddess Lakshmi Devi and left side with goddess Saraswathi Devi.

Day 6 - SRI SARASWATI DEVI

which is the maa Saraswathi s nakshatram (astrological star). She is the goddess of knowledge and music and arts, and also she regarded as Vagdevi Goddess of sound, speech, consciousness and wisdom. Maa Saraswathi appears with white dress, seated on white lotus and with four hands in one hand holding a book, in one hand playing veena (a musical instrument) in one hand japa mala(rosary) this representing the power of meditation and spirituality and in the other hand Kamandalam(A pot with sacred water)representing creative and purificatory powers. Saraswath Devi is also referred as Sharda Devi. A white swan is her vahanam (vehicle) so that she is known as Hamsa vahini. On this navaratri seventh day especially Saraswathi devi is worshipped and all students are traditionally required to study on this day and also start study of something new on the same day. Small children under 5 year’s starts to write there first alphabet which is called Vidyarambham is take part today. Gurus (teachers) are worshipped to day as embodiments of Saraswathi. Offering honey is very important in Saraswathi pooja, as honey represents perfect knowledge. Payasam is offered as parasadam on this day.

Day 7 - SRI MAHA LAKSHMI DEVI

She is the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, wisdom and fortune. Goddess Maha lakshmi is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of money related sorrows. She is the daughter of the king of milky ocean, and later married to Lord Vishnu. She is a form of Shakti.Goddess Lakshmi is described as a fair lady with four arms, standing upon lotus, dressed in fine garments and precious jewels and holding lotus flowers in her two hands. She appears in 8 forms and is well known as Asta Lakshmi. Maha lakshmi devi is especially worshiped on Fridays and Diwali festival day and 6th day of navaratri with red color flowers.she is offeered prasadams like Ksheeraannm and pournalu.

Day 8 - SRI DURGA DEVI

The most powerful goddess she is the mother of the universe, she is the power and she is behind the work of creation, preservation and destruction of the world. Durga Devi is mentioned by Vedas as a supreme power.

The meaning of the Durga in Sanskrit is a fort, or is a place which is very difficult to reach. And one more meaning of durga is Durgatinashini meaning is the one who removes your sufferings. Hindus believe that Durga Devi protects her devotees from the evils of the world and removes there sorrows. She has Simha vaahini means Loin is her vehicle, she is Trinayani means she is a three eyed Goddess. So durga Devi appears on Astami day to kill Mahishasura (an inhumane force/ a demon with buffalo face) with three eyes and eight arms with holding many weapons and red color saree and beautiful jewellery is made by gold and ocean pearls and precious stones. On this Durgastami day people believe in praying Durga Devi with red color flowers, cloths and read Durga saptashati or Devi mahatyam and offers Pulagam or Kadambam Annam as prasadam.

Day 9 - SRI MAHISHASURA MARDHINI DEVI

This is the most fiercely form of Maa Durga which is the warrior aspect of divine mother. Mahishasura mardhani is the form of Durga Devi after she killed mahishasura. Mahishasura mardhani means the slayer of Mahishasur. So people celebrate this day as divine mother’s victory on bad evil.

She appears riding on a Lion with ten arms carrying weapons was given by Gods and maintaining a meditative smile on her beautiful face. Today devotees read Mahishasura Mardhini Stotram and offer Pulihora (tamarind rice) Garelu (lentil dumplings) panakam (jaggery juice) vadapappu (moong dal salad).

Day 10 - SRI RAJA RAJESWARI DEVI

The final and last day of navaratri Sri Kanakadurga Devi appears as Sri Rajarajeswari. After her victory in the battle with Mahishasura we celebrate Dasami the 10th day as vijayadasami, vijaya means victory dasami means 10th day. She is the mother of the world. she is the form of Lalitha tripura sundari devi.she appears on the 10th day sitting on the throne and holding sugarcane in one hand, and giving blessings to her devotees with a peaceful and beautiful smile.

In Kanaka durga temple (vijayawada) she appears like this in the day time and in the evening there will be a boat festival in Krishna river, they bring the Goddess Kanaka durga utsava vigraham(a small idol of Kanaka durga devi) down, they decorate a beautiful swan shape boat with lights and place the Devi idol on it and make few rounds in the Krishna river and bring back the idol to the main temple this is called Teppotsavam. Dasara is a very important and famous festival in Vijayawada which is celebrated every year. Kanakadurga temple is the synonymous with Vijayawada. Special poojas are performed during dasara and also called durga navaratrulu
Alankarams may change according to Thidis and nakshatrams every year

Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Devi Temple Timings & Visiting Hours

Spl Darshanam                               ( Rs 25/-)	05.00Am 06.30Pm	To To	05.45Pm 09.00Pm
Darma Darshan	4.00Am	To	9.00Pm
Mukha Mandapam                     (Rs 5/-)	04.00Am 06.15	To To	05.45Pm 09.00Pm
Astothoranam Archana             (Rs  25/-) (Three Person)	05.00Am	To	09.00Pm
Sahasra Namarchana                (Rs 50/-) (Three Person)	05.00Am	To	09.00Pm
Anthralaya Darshnam         (Rs50/-)	05.00 06.30Pm	To To	05.30Pm 09.00Pm
Sri Chakranavavarnarchana   (Rs 516/-) (Five Persons )	08.30Am	To	12.30Pm
Lakshakumkumarchana           (Rs 1000/-) (Five Persons)	08.30Am	To	12.30Pm
Darbar Seva (Free)	Fri Day 7-00Pm	To	08-30Pm
Temple closed at 9.00pm

How to Distance Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple

Hyderabad	Vijayawada	273 km
Warangal	Vijayawada	237 km
Chennai	Vijayawada	533km
Vishakhapatnam	Vijayawada	352 km
Tirupati	Vijayawada	407 Km
Nalgonda	Vijayawada	192 Km
Nagpur	Vijayawada	759 Km

How to Reach Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple

Kanaka Durga Temple is located in the heart of Vijayawada city, the temple is just a 10 minutes drive from the railway station. Vijayawada is located 275 kilometers from Hyderabad. It is well connected by road rail and air from all parts of the country.

APSRTC runs frequent buses from Hyderabad, Kammam, Tirupathi, and Warangal

The nearest airport is, Gannavaram (20km).

Accommodation

A wide range of facilities for accommodation is available In Vijayawada, from Three Star Hotels To budget accommodation and Andhra Pradesh Tourism Guest Houses

Contact

Joint Commissioner  & Executive Officer

Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple

Indrakeeladri

Vijayawada

Krishna Dt

Andhra Pradesh

Ph: 0866-2423600

Fax: 0866-2423800

e-mail: eo_vijayawada@yahoo.co.in

Nearest places from Vijayawada Kanakadurga Temple

1 Bhavani Island :

Perhaps one of the largest islands on a river, Bhavani Island is located on the Krishna River close to the city. AP Tourism is converting this 133 acre (54 hectare) island into an attractive tourist spot and a River Front Resort. The island currently has some cottages to stay in and some good adventure and fun sports. Journey to the island by boat is very pleasant.Make sure you visit this picturesque island that is a fantastic picnic spot for holiday-lovers.

The placid waters make it an ideal picnic spot, besides there is extensive forest coverage, shimmering ponds and rolling meadows.  Boat riding facility is also available here.

2 Gandhi Hill Monuments

First Gandhi Memorial with seven stupas in the country was constructed on this hill at a height of 500 feet. Gandhi Hill is open to the public every day between 4pm and 8.30pm except on Tuesdays.

The Planetarium show runs everyday at 6.30pm except on Tuesdays. There is also a toy train on top of the Gandhi Hill that goes around the hill and gives a bird’s eye view of the entire city.

3 Hazrat Bal Mosque Pilgrim Centers

A holy relic of the Prophet Mohammed is kept here which is displayed once a year. A large number of non-Muslims too join the celebrations.

The specialty of this mosque lies in the fact that it is one of those rare mosque’s in India which houses the relics of Prophet Mohammed which is displayed once a year.

4 Kondapalli Fort Monuments

Kondapalli village is situated 16 kilometres from Vijayawada.

A 7th century fort on the hill with an impressive three storeyed rock tower was witness to the glory of many dynasties.

It is very famous for Kondapalli bommalu (Kondapally toys).‘kondapalli toys chisled out of locally available special light softwood (‘Tella Poniki’) and painted with vegetable dyes, and vibrant enamel colours are world famous artistic wonders.

Popular toys are ‘Dasavatarams’ (Ten incarnations of lordVishnu) elephant with Ambari, palanquin-bearers carrying bride and bride-groom, toddy tapper, set of village craftsmen, besides animals. 

5 Mogalarajapuram Caves Caves

The caves are reputed to be the first of their kind in South India. The idols of the Hindu Gods Nataraja, Vinayaka and Arthanareeswara are carved here, but none of the statues are available here.

Out of the 3 cave temples constructed here only one is still in good condition with the idols of Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka and others

6 Prakasam Barrage Leisure Spots

Prakasam Barrage is an impressive 1223.5m long, modern regulator and road bridge that stretches across the river Krishna.

Built across the river Krishna connecting Guntur District, Prakasham Barragehas created a panoramic lake. Its three canals that run through the city give Vijayawada a Venetian look.

7 Rajiv Gandhi Park Leisure Spots

Rajiv Gandhi park created by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation with great care, this park welcomes tourists at the entrance of the city with its impressive horticultural network. A mini zoo and a musical water fountain are added attractions.

There is also a Musical Fountain working from 7.30 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. The other attractions of the park include a skating ring, play pen, rock fall, mini zoo and aquarium, mini train, gun shooting and jeep. There is also a canteen. The park is closed on Mondays.

8 St. Mary’s Church, Gunadala Pilgrim Centres

Rf. Arlati, the Rector of St. Joseph’s Orphanage at 

Gunadala, installed a statue of Our Lady and later a 

church was built and consecrated in 1971, now popularly 

known as St. Mary’s church.

Since then the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes became an 

annual event here, attended by lakh’s of people.

The church is situated on a hillock on the eastern side of 

the city.A fair is held annually in the month of February, 

in which thousands of devotees participate.

9 VMC  Sibar Disneyland Leisure Spots

The amusement park, VMC-Sibar Disneyland is located at a distance of 8km from Vijayawada. It consists of a water park with wave pool, slides and kiddies pool for the children. The major attractions here include a village park with traditional dance performances, bullock cart rides, parrot fortune tellers, puppet shows and a south Indian restaurant. A stimulated volcano is another attraction of the park.

Located at Ajit Singh Nagar just 5 kms From Vijayawada Railway station and Bhavani Island, it offers family entertainment with water slides, wave pool, kids pool, joy rides etc. Facilities like food courts, and gift shops are available here.

10 Victoria Jubilee Museum Museums

A place for archaeology lovers, Victoria Museum has a carefully preserved collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, idols, weapons, cutlery and inscriptions.

The museum of the archaeological Department situated on Bandar Road contains beautiful sculptures and attractive paintings woth seeing . ‘Buddha ‘ Alluru inscriptions of first and second centuries and Mahishasura are some of the important exhibits

People having interest in history can visit the Victoria Jubilee Musuem in Vijayawada on all days from 10.30am to 5pm except on Fridays and public holidays . Because the museum remains closed on Fridays and public holidays.

The entry to the museum is free, however there is an extra charge for carrying camera with in the museum .

11 Amaravathi

 Amaravati is situated in Sattenapalli Taluk of Guntur District and it is famous as the seat of a temple to Lord Shiva worshipped here as Lord Amareswara and also for the Buddhist sculptures, which are world famous 

.

Acharya Nagarjuna constructed the country’s largest stupa here, 2,000 years back.

Amaravati is considered the most sacred pilgrim center for Buddhists in South India

It also has an Amareswara temple. Amaravathi Is home to the Amareshvara Temple witch constitutes One of the Five  pancharama temples  of Andhrapradesh Sacred to Shiva.

As the name Amaravati implies, legend has it that Amaravati was once the abode of the Gods - the Devas, the yakshas and the kinnaras, who performed penances to Shiva to request him to rid the earth of the mighty demon Tarakasura. Legend has it that Shiva's son Subramanya vanquished the demon.
It is believed that the Shivalingam that shattered into five pieces was a huge one, and the biggest of the five pieces is a fifteen foot long column of white marble which is worshipped as Amareswara at the Amaravati temple (this is very similar to the Shivalingam at the Draksharama temple). Legend has it that it was installed by Indra the king of the Devas, Brihaspati the guru of the Devas and Sukra the preceptor of the Asuras.
The Amaravati temple is located on a small hillock referred to as Krouncha Shaila, alongside the river Krishna which flows for a short distance in a North-Southerly direction, although for the most part, the river heads eastwards towards the ocean. The river Krishna is held in reverence at this pilgrimage site, and a ritual dip in this river here is considered to be meritorious.

12Hinkar Thirtha (Jain Temple), Mangalagiri:

A Jain temple here with great artistic work, it is slated to be the biggest Jain temple in the region

13 Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Mangalagiri

 Mangalagiri located 13km south of Vijayawada is famous for the renowned temple Lakshmi Narasimha, one of the nine incarnations of Vishnu. This temple built by the Reddi Chiefs in the 14th Century on a hillock was remodeled in the period 17C to 18C. The devotees believe that the deity accepts only half the quantity of ‘Panaka’ (jaggery dissolved in water) offered by devotees. There is a small Garuda Shrine in front resembling a chariot.

Mangalagiri means The Auspicious Hill. This place is one of the 8 important Mahakshetrams (sacred places) in India. The eight places where Lord Vishnu manifested himself are (1) Sri Rangam (2) Srimushnam (3) Naimisam (4) Pushkaram (5) Salagamadri (6) Thothadri (7) Narayanasramam (8) Venkatadri.

There are three Narasimha Swamy temples in Mangalagiri. One is Panakala Narasimha Swamy on the hill. Another one is Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at the foot of the temple. Third one is Gandala Narasimha Swamy at the top of the hill.

This shape of the hill looks like an elephant. From all the directions, the hill appears in the elephant shape only.

Sri Paanakaala Narasimha Swamy Temple at Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh..
One of the highest gopurams in the south.

14 Undavalli Caves

Tae Undavelli Caves, in the village of Undavelli, are at a distance 8 km from Vijayawada. The high hill Overlooking the Krishna river hosts fine specimens of cut-in architectural and sculptural models