Vijayawada Kanakadurga Temple | Sri Durga Malleswara

Vijayawada Kanakadurga Temple or the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple is situated on the banks of river Krishna in Indrakeeladri mountains. Kanakadurga at the Durga Malleswara Swamy temple is swayambu, meaning self-manifested. It is one of the largest temples in India and the 2nd largest temple in Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that many years ago, a Yaksha named ‘KEELA’ was performing rigorous penance to please goddess Durga. Goddess Durga was pleased by his penance and appeared before him. She asked him to ask a boon. Keela was so happy by the words of goddess Durga and begged her, “O holy Mother! you should always be in my heart. This is the one and only my desire”. Goddess Durga granted the boon saying, “My Son! You remain here at this holiest planes of river Krishna in the form of mountain. In Krithayuga, after the assassination of demons, I will remain in your heart”. Goddess Durga after killing Mahishasura came back to the mountain and shined as promised to Keela. On this mountain, goddess Durga glowed with the lighting of crores of suns, golden in color. Because of the brilliant glow, Indra and all the other gods praised her chanting Kanakadurga and they have been worshipping her daily ever since.

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Legend has it that the demons developed great powers by appeasing the Gods and began harassing the sages on earth. Goddess Parvati assumed various forms to kill these demons. It was Kausiki who killed Sumbhu and Nisambhu, Mahisasura Mardini who killed Mahishasura and Durga killed Durgamasura. Durga in the form of Mahishasura Mardini, with eight arms holding dissimilar weapons, riding on a lion and trampling Mahishasura on the hill of Indrakeeladri, decided to stay back on earth as promised to Keela. She came to be know as Kanakadurga because she was radiant with golden hues. Kanakadurga asked Keelu, a passionate devotee to take the form of the hill to allow her stay on him. Thus, Keeladri became the home of Durga. Her consort Shiva took his place next to the hillrock as a Jyotirlinga. Lord Brahma worshiped him with jasmines (Mallelu) whereby he got the name of Malleswara Swamy. As celestial beings like Indra visited the place, the hill came to be called Indrakeeladri.

According to another legend, Arjuna performed penance and fought with Lord Shiva, who had appeared in the guise of Kiratha to win Pasupathastra, the most powerful weapon. So this place is also called phalguna theertha.

The main festivals celebrated at the Sri Durga Malleswara Temple include Brahma utsavams, Shivratri and Dashami/ Navratri.

The nine-day festival of Navaratri ends on Vijaya Dasami Day when people worship arms and perform Ayudha Pooja. Local chieftains used to celebrate the festival with pomp. Once a police officer refused them permission to display their arms on Vijaya Dashami day. He got a letter saying he was dismissed from service following many complaints against him. Terrified by the events, the Officer not only permitted the people to celebrate Vijaya Dashami but also took part in it. Later he got another cable canceling his dismissal order. Henceforth, it became a tradition for policemen to celebrate Vijaya Dashami, which is still in vogue.

Kanaka Durga is specially decorated as Balatripura Sundari, Gayathri Annapoorna. Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Lalitha Tripura Sundari, Durga Devi, Mahissura Mardini and Raja Rajeswari Devi on each day of the Narvaratri festival. On Vijaya Dashami day, the deities are taken in a swan-shaped boat around the Krishna river, popularity known as “Theppotsavam”.

Important Rituals at Vijayawada Kanakadurga Temple

Santhi Kalyanam
Sri Chakra Navaava Ranarchana
Chandi Homam
Laksha Kumkumarchana
Mahanyasapoorvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhisheka

Mukha Mandapa Dharshanam
5:00 AM to 5:45 PM
6:15PM to 9:00 PM
Free Darshanam
6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Antralaya Dharshanam
5:00 AM to 6:00 AM
6.45 AM to 4.30 PM
6:15 PM to 9:00 PM
Swamy Abhishekam
5:00 AM to 11-30 AM

Kanakadurga Temple by Road

Vijayawada is an important link in connecting the three regions of Andhra Pradesh and is a major transit point. Two National Highways, the National Highway 5 from Chennai to Calcutta and the National Highway 9 from Machilipatnam to Hyderabad pass through the city connecting it to other parts of the country. It is connected to other areas of the state, by state highways and district roads. Plenty of APSRTC buses ply on this road, so you shouldn’t have any difficulty in reaching Vijayawada.

Kanakadurga Temple by Train

Situated along the Chennai- Howrah and Chennai-Delhi rail route, this is the largest railway junction of the South Central Railway. There are a number of express and super fast trains that connect Vijayawada with almost all the important places of the country.

Kanakadurga Temple by Air

The domestic airport located at Gannavaram, about 20 kms from the city connects Vijayawada to Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam. Its a 30 min flight from Hyderabad to Vijayawada.

Once you reach Vijayawada there are plenty of Tourist Taxis, Metered Taxis, Auto rickshaws, and Cycle Rickshaws are available to commute to the Vijayawada Kanakadurga Temple.