KanakaDurgamma Temple Vijayawada

        Kanaka Durga Temple is a famous Hindu Temple of Devi Kanaka Durga located in Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh.The Temple is located on the Indrakeeladri hill, on the banks of Krishna River. An extraordinarily famous  Temple in Vijayawada  Andhra pradesh dedicated to Kanaka Durga Devi. . Her temple is next to only the temple of Lord venkateswara swamy in attracting devotees. She is considered as Shaktipeetham. But, there is no reference to her in "Ashtadasa Shakti peetha stotram". A calender is sold in Kanaka durga temple, keeping her at the center of all 18 Shakti peethas. 

         Goddess Kanaka Durga manifested herself (Swayambhu) on the hillock known as Indrakeeladri situated on the left Bank of River Krishna at Vijayawada.  The origin of this shrine is known to be of 8^th century. The temple was constructed during the Regime of  Mogalaya rulers. According to Sthalapuranam, Mogalaya Ruler Thanisha with the assistance of his Ministers Akkanna and Madanna managed the temple with head quarters at Kondapalli.Her original idol in the temple is in the form of Mahishasura mardini. A lion and Mahishasura are also present.  People tell a story for this. Previously, Devi was worshiped by Vamachara devotees who were used to give animal sacrifice to Devi. Later in the period of Shankaracharya, he converted the temple to Dakshinachara by establishing a Srichakra before Kanaka Durga Devi. He stopped sacrificing the animals. Even though people are doing the same. Then to change the behavior of people Shankaracharya decorated the Goddess which seems as today. The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as Swayambhu or self-manifested, hence is considered very powerful. This temple is of Smartha Agama Sampradaya. Sub-temples of Lord Sri Malleswara Swamy varu, Sri Nataraja Swamy temple are located on north east corner of Goddess. Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple is located on north side of main temple. This temple is one of the 10 major temples of the state and one of the popular pilgrimage centre, and has been acquiring importance day by day.

         At the Kanakadurga temple, the delightful 4-foot-high (1.2 m) idol of the deity is decorated in magnificent ornaments and bright flowers. She is shown eight arms, each holding a powerful weapon, in a standing position over the demon Mahishashura and stabbing him with her trident. The goddess is the essence of beauty. One mythology associated with this place is that Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva on top of Indrakeela hill to win(Vijay). His desires  and  blessings had given the name to city as “Vijayawada” after his victory. Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the holy place of Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakiladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different holy temples, prominent among them are Kali, Shiva, and Krishna

Do’s in This Temple:

•         Do open your eyes while having Darshan of Ammavaru.
•         Do Pray for Goddess before you start for Vijayawada.
  
•        Do bathe in the Krishna River and worship Goddess Durga Ammavaru & Lord Malleswara Swamy.
• Do observe absolute silence and chant "Jai Durga Bhavani" inside the Temple.
• Do keep the temple premises Clean & Hygienic.
• Do deposit your offerings & Kanukas in the Hundi Only.
• Do respect and promote religious sentiments among co-pilgrims.
• Do wear a tilak in accordance with your religious affiliation.
• Do keep your mind fresh and leave all your angers, Jealous and keep all your stress and pains behind, Leave every thing on the Goddess Ammavaru.
• Do visit of Malleswara swmay temple without fail as this temple is Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple.
• Do follow the procedures of the temple and wait for your turn for the Darshan of the Goddess Ammavaru & Lord Siva
• Do Switch off Cell phones before entering into the temple.

Don’ts in This Temple

   • Don't wear footwear in and around the premises of the Temple.
   • Don't eat non-vegetarian food. & • Don't smoke on Indrakeeladri Hills.

   • Don’t carry luggage bags and other belongs inside temple premises. Please deposit in Cloak Rooms of Devasthanam

   • Don't quarrel in the temple premises.

   • Don't buy fake Prasadams from street vendors.

   • Don't prostrate (Sastanga danda pranamam) inside the temple.

During 9 days the following alankarams will be performed to Sri Ammavaru:

Aaswayuja Suddha Ashtami-----> Sri Durga Devi

Aaswayuja Suddha Navami------> Sri Mahishashura Mardini Devi

Aaswayuja Suddha Dasami ------>Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi

(Vijaya Dasami) 

Aaswayuja Suddha Padyami  ----> Sri Bala thripura sundari Devi

Aaswayuja Suddha Vidiya--------->Sri Gayathri Devi

Aaswayuja Suddha Thadiya------->Sri Mahalakshmi devi

Aaswayuja Suddha Chaviti-------->Sri Annapoorna Devi

Aaswayuja Suddha          --------->Sri Lalitha Thripura Sundari Devi

Panchami

Aaswayuja Suddha Sapthami----->Sri Saraswathi Devi

(Moola).