Kanaka Durgamma Temple – Vijayawada

About Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple

Kanaka durgamma Temple is situated on the banks of river krishna, Indrakeeladri, This holy shrine of Goddess Durga is a Swayambhu (self-manifested) and is the second-largest temple in Andhra Pradesh. On this mountain, goddess Durga had been glowing with the lighting of the sun, with golden color.

Goddess Kanaka Durga on the Indrakeelaadri and have described the deity as swayambhu, (self-manifested) in Triteya Kalpa. It is said Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva at this place with jasmine flowers (Mallika) and hence Lord Shiva here has come to be known as Mallikeswara. Sri Adi Sankaracharya reinstalled Malleswara Swamy at the northern part of the Kanaka Durgamma Temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga. He also installed the Sri Chakra and initiated worship of Kanaka Durga in Vedic ways.

This is the place where Arjuna obtained the Pasupatha Astra after his great penance for Lord Shiva. The installation of the murti of Vijayeswara is said to have been done by Arjuna, to commemorate his war with Lord Shiva who appeared in disguise as Kirata (hunter) and fought with him and blessed Arjuna with Pasupatha Astra. Murti of Malleswara Swamy was believed to be installed by Yudhishtir after the battle of Kurukshetra was won by Pandavs. The sage Agastya is said to have been the greatest devotee of this deity.

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.

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Sage Indrakila practiced severe penance, and when the goddess appeared the sage pleaded Her to reside on his head and keep a vigil on the wicked demons. As per his wishes of killing the demons, Goddess Durga made Indrakila Her permanent abode. Later, She also slew the demon king Mahishasura freeing the people of Vijayawada from evil.

At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting 4-foot-high icon of the deity is bedecked in glittering ornaments and bright flowers. Her icon here depicts Her eight-armed form -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 Indrakeeladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different deities, prominent among them are Kanaka Durga, Malleswara, and Krishna(River).

Timings to visit Kanaka Durgamma Temple

05:00 AM – 01:00 PM | 05:00 PM – 09:00 PM.

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Kalyanakatta Timings

Kesakandanasalas at Durga Ghat(Rs.25 per Head). 6.30 AM To 5.30 PM

Festivals celebrate at Kanaka Durgamma Temple

Special pujas are performed during Dasara (Navaratri) and are specially decorated as Balatripura Sundari, Gayathri, Annapoorna, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Lalitha Tripura Sundari, Durga Devi, Mahishasura Mardini, and Raja Rajeswari Devi on each day of the Navaratri festival.