Kanaka Durga Temple (Telugu: కనకదుర్గ క్షేత్రం) 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
Kanaka Durga temple
in Vijayawada, is the most visited pilgrim centre, with piligrims visiting the place to attain meritorious worlds and ultimately salvation, the goal of human life. Kanaka Durga temple is situated on the mountain named Indrakeeladri on the banks of the river Krishna.
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.
The legend says, 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 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 in the golden colour. So the Gods praised her as Kanaka Durga.
In Dwaapara Yuga, Arjuna, one among the Pandavaas, 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.
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.
Apart from Kanaka Durga, Lord Shiva is also worshipped here as Malleeshwara. The legend says 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.
Every year on Chaitra Shuddha Pournami, Vasanta Kalyanam is performed to Goddess Durga and Lord Malleshwara. Brahmotsavams in the temple are performed in Vasanta Ritu and the kalyaana performed during the utsavams is known as Vasanta Kalyana.
No comments yet.