KANAKA DURGA TEMPLE - VIJAYAWADA
Kanaka Durga temple is one of the famous piligrim
centres in Vijayawada .Kanaka Durga temple is situated on the mountain named
Indra Keeladri on the banks of the river Krishna in Andhra Pradesh.
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.
It is said that Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Agastya, Bharadwaaja, Markandeya, Paandavaas, Aadishankaraacharya, Sri Krishnadevaraya and many others worshipped the deity in Vijayawada. Her original idol in the temple will be in the form of Mahishasura mardini. A lion and Mahishasura are also present. Previously, the diety was worshiped by Vamachara devotees who used to give animal sacrifice to her. But during the period of Shankaracharya, he converted the temple to Dakshinachara by establishing a Srichakra before her. He stopped sacrificing the animals. Even though people are doing the same now at times.
LEGEND :
The legend says, that Indrakeela, a shaakteya devotee did great penance and when Goddess appeared, he requested her to be present on him. Then Goddess Kanaka Durga asked him to assume the form of a mountain and after killing Mahishaasura, she resided on the Indrakeeladri. On the request of the other Gods, Goddess Durga killed the demon Durgama. At that time she has been described to have been in the golden colour. So the Gods praised her as Kanaka Durga. In Dwaapara Yuga, Arjuna, one among the Pandavas, did great penance on this mountain (Indrakeeladri) for Lord Shiva in order to get the most powerful astra called Paashupataastra. Later, Lord Shiva appeared to fulfil the desire of Arjuna and called him as Vijaya (victorious).
The place came to be known as Vijayawada after Arjuna’s
victory. Arjuna felt that he could get the astra called Paashupata only by the
grace of Goddess Kanaka Durga and worshipped her and named her as
Brahmaastreshwari. Arjuna is also known as Phalguna. Since he did penance here,
this place is also called as Phalgunikshetra.
Darshan Timings :
Dharma Dharshanam :4:00AM to 9:00 PM
Mukha Mandapam :4:00AM to 5:45 PM, 6:15PM to 9:00 PM
Pratyeka Dharshanam :5:00AM to 5:45 PM , 6:30PM to 9:00 PM
Antaralayam Dharshanam :5:00AM to 9:00 PM , 6:30PM to 9:00 PM
Dasara Celebrations :
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.
Apart from Kanaka Durga, Lord Shiva is also worshipped
here as Malleeshwara. The legend says that Lord Brahma did penance for Lord
Shiva and worshipped him with jasmine (malle) flowers, owing to which Lord
Shiva is known as Malleshwara. In Kaliyuga, Aadi Shankaraacharya, in order to
pacify the furious form of Kanaka Durga, installed Shri Chakra and worshipped
her. Many people visit this temple. The number of pilgrims goes up every
Friday.
Time to Visit :
The temple is good to visit during Chaitra Shuddha Pournami,
when Vasanta Kalyanam is performed to Goddess Durga and Lord Malleshwara. The
Brahmotsavams in the temple are performed in Vasanta Ritu and the kalyana
performed during the utsavams is known as Vasanta Kalyana.
How to reach the Temple :
Vijayawadada
has good transport facililties by road, train and air .
APSRTC
runs many buses from all main depots to Vijayawada.
There
are number of trains to Vijayawada from within Andhra Pradesh and from other
states as well.
Lovely post. 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. Check out more about Kanaka Durga Temple, its entry fee, timigs, visit duration etc.
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