Sree Kanaka Durga Temple
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
About the temple
Goddess Kanaka Durga temple is very popular in Vijayawada. This
is one of the Shakthi Peetas in the country. God is Malleswarar. The temple was
built by King Tribuvana of the Chalukya dynasty. According to scriptures, the
Temple was built by Dharma, the eldest of the Pandava brothers. It is also said
that Sage Agasthya installed the Shivalinga here named Malleswara.
Story of the temple
Vijayawada was once a forest with mountains and rocks. These were disturbing the free flow of River
Krishna. People were put to sufferings
when floods inundated vast areas. People prayed to Lord Malleswara and Mother
Kanakeswari to direct the mountain to give way to the river. The mountain obeyed. Bejjam in Telugu means cave. As the Lord created the way for the River by
creating a cave here, the place came to be known as Bezewada and changed to
Vijayawada as called now.
- Temple view at top of the hill
- Main deity Sri Kanaka Durga
Interesting
All merciful Mother Kanakadurga graces from this temple on
Indirakila Parvatha. Lord Easwara is praised as Malleswara. This is the place,
where Mother destroyed demons as Shumba, Nishumba, Sarabasura, Mahishasura and
others taking the forms of Durga, Ugrachandi and Badrakali. Vijayawada was
earlier known as Vijayapuri as many conquerors lived here. Vijaya-conquering
Prakasam Barrage
Entrance to Pedestrian path
Sacred Bath at Krishna River
Sri Pothuluri Veera Brahmendra Swamy’s Kalagnanam
Another interesting fact of the temple, which was written by
“Sri Pothuluri Veera Brahmendra Swamy” in his Kalagnanam is “Projects/Dams that
were constructed on River Krishna will be washed away by flash floods and water
would touch the Mukku Pudaka (ornament attached to Nose) of Goddess Kanaka
Durga", at Vijayawada. 14 cities will be washed away by floods”
What
we see now the Idol of Goddess Kanaka Durga is made of rock. But actually,
there is an idol of Goddess Durga made of gold, by which it is becalled
Kanaka(Gold)Durga, lying in the tunnel beneath the Rock Idol. No idea whether
River Krishna water touch the Mukkua Pudaka of Rock Idol or of Golden Idol.
Those
who see the golden idol of goddess kanaka durga, either die on-the-spot or soon
abandon their materialistic life and reach Srisailam through the tunnel behind
the idol. Many
tried for the treasures lying beside the golden idol. The attempts became
futile.
Sri Pothuluri Veera Brahmendra Swamy
How did I reach
I started from
Chennai; there are more trains available to Vijayawada. I travelled In Tamil
Nadu Express and its starts at 10 p.m on daily basis and reaching Vijayawada
around 4.15 a.m. the journey about 6 hours from Chennai approx. also Vijayawada can be reached easily from anywhere in country.
Goddess Kanaga durga
temple is situated 3 km away from Vijayawada railway station. Mini buses are operated by the temple (Yellow
Bus) with free of cost from Bus stand and Rs.5/- from Railway station. Private auto
rickshaw is also available. Moreover reaching temple from anywhere in
Vijayawada is very easy as the temple is very popular here.
The temple is situated
on the top of small hill called “Indirakila Parvatham”. Only temple buses are
operated till the top. You can also reach via staircase. The pedestrian path is
starting near Krishna River entrance, but don’t leave your shoes/luggage here.
The people who are selling pooja items near pedestrian path may force you to
leave at down. You can leave them in
top of the hill at Boot house and luggage centre properly.
Pedestrian path
Free bus service from Bus stand and Rs.5/- from Railway station by the temple admin
Entrance to the Main deity at Hill
Do
Take a sacred bath
at Krishna river at near pedestrian path.
Try to see the temple
tower that will be more beautiful at night.
The temple administration
is offering Laddu, puliogare as prashatham. The Laddu taste may satisfy you same
like Tirupathi. They are charging it for Rs. 10/- each and no restriction on
quantity.
Afterthat, I started
my journey to Shi Panakala Narasimha Swamy temple at Mangalagiri, which is also
situated near Vijayawada.
"Prakasam Barrage" view from the temple
View from top of the temple
Route map from Railway station to temple (3 km)
See you in next
post! :)
