Sri Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada
Sri Kanaka Durga Temple – Vijayawada
Sri Kanaka Durga Temple, situated on the Indrakeeladri hills of Vijayawada, is one of the most revered Shakti Peethas in India. Nestled on the banks of the sacred Krishna River, this temple attracts lakhs of devotees throughout the year.
Temple History
The temple is one of the few in India where the Goddess is found to the right of Lord Malleswara Swamy, signifying the predominance of Shakti. The Goddess, in her resplendent form, is known as Kanaka Durga, glowing like gold, hence the name Kanakachala. The idol faces northeast, with a blissful smile and four hands, blessing devotees. The temple’s annual income crosses Forty Crores, showing the devotion of millions of pilgrims. The temple is administered by the Government of Andhra Pradesh with an IAS officer serving as the Executive Officer.
The temple is also mentioned in inscriptions with Vijayawada being called Vijayavata and Rajendracholapura in history. Sage Agasthya was the greatest devotee of Lord Malleswara, and the place has remained a prominent seat of worship for centuries.
Mythology
The hill is called Indrakeeladri because Indra and other deities visited here to worship Goddess Durga. The sage Keela performed penance and prayed for the Goddess to reside on him forever. Pleased, she blessed him and assumed the form of Mahishasura Mardini after slaying the demon and made Indrakeeladri her abode.
According to legend, Lord Brahma performed a Sata Aswamedha Yaga on Indrakeeladri, invoking Lord Shiva who manifested as a Jyotirlinga, now worshipped as Malleswara Swamy. Panditharadhya, a great devotee, worshipped the Lord by bundling live coal in a cloth with a Sami twig, which pleased Lord Malleswara. Arjuna worshipped Lord Shiva here to obtain the Pasupatastra. Lord Shiva appeared as a hunter (Kirata), tested Arjuna’s devotion, and then granted him the weapon. To commemorate this, Arjuna installed the Vijayeswara Swamy temple here.
The Krishna River once blocked by the hill carved its passage when ordered by the Goddess, and the spot is now called Thelukonda. A local legend also says that Goddess Kanaka Durga borrowed a nose-stud from River Krishna, who vowed to reclaim it at the end of Kaliyuga.
In earlier times, animal sacrifices were offered to the Goddess. Adi Shankaracharya visited the temple, installed a Srichakra, and established Vedic forms of worship, putting an end to such practices.
Topography
The Indrakeeladri hills stand on the banks of the Krishna River, forming a prominent backdrop for the temple. During quarrying operations, rock-cut temples were discovered and later preserved as monuments. A notable sculpture here depicts the story of Kiratarjuneeyam – the encounter of Lord Shiva as Kirata with Arjuna.
Festivals and Rituals
The temple is especially renowned for Navaratri celebrations, where the Goddess is adorned in nine different Alankaras representing forms like Saraswati, Lakshmi, Bala Tripura Sundari, and Mahishasura Mardini. On Vijayadashami, the grand Theppotsavam (boat festival) is celebrated on the Krishna River. A unique ritual here is Metla Pooja, where devotees smear the temple steps with turmeric and vermilion before entering.
Major events like the Sathachandi Yagam (1987–88) were performed here for universal welfare.
Visiting Sri Kanaka Durga Temple
Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM, and 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Location: Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh – centrally connected by road, rail, and air.