Spiritual Travel India: Sri Kanaga Durga Temple, Vijayawada

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

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