>Monkbot at 08:32, 14 January 2021

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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Kanaka Durga Temple
| image = Kanakadurga Temple gopuram.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Kanaka Durga Temple
| map_type = India Andhra Pradesh
| map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh
| coordinates = {{coord|16|31|8.50|N|80|37|17.38|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = India
| state = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| locale = [[Vijayawada]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Kanaka Durga]]
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website = {{URL|http://kanakadurgamma.org/|Kanaka Durga Temple website}}
}}

'''Kanaka Durga Temple''' is a famous [[hindu]] Temple of [[Durga|Goddess 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.<ref>http://www.acharyaonline.com/kanakadurga.htm</ref>

==Goddess legend==
[[File:View_of_Kanaka_Durga_Temple_Basement.jpg|left|250px|thumb|View of temple Basement]]
According to a legend, the now verdant [[Vijayawada]] was once a rocky region strewn with hills that obstructed the flow of [[River Krishna]]. The land was thus rendered unfit for habitation or cultivation. Invocation to Lord [[Shiva]] for His intervention directed the hills to make way for the river. And the river started flowing unimpeded with all its might, through the tunnels or "Bejjam" bored into the hills by Lord Shiva. That is how the place got its name Bezawada.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

One of the many mythologies associated with this place is that [[Arjuna]] prayed to Lord Shiva on top of Indrakeela hill to win His blessings and the city derived its name "Vijayawada" after this victory. Another popular legend is about the triumph of goddess Kanakadurga over the demon King [[Mahishasura]]. It is said that the growing menace of demons became unbearable for the natives. Sage Indrakila practiced severe penance, and when the goddess appeared the sage pleaded Her to reside on his head and keep vigil on the wicked demons. As per his wishes of killing the demons, Goddess Durga made Indrakila Her permanent abode. Later, She also slayed the demon king Mahishasura freeing the people of Vijayawada from evil.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting {{convert|4|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} icon of the deity is bedecked in glittering ornaments and bright flowers. Her icon here depicts Her eight-armed form -each holding a powerful weapon- in a standing posture over the demon Mahishashura and piercing him with Her [[trishula|trident]]. The goddess is the epitome of beauty.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakeeladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different deities, prominent among them are Kanaka Durga, Malleswara and Krishna(River).
[[File:Om Symbol at Kanaka Durga Temple.jpg|right|thumb|[[Om]] Symbol at Kanaka Durga Temple.]]

==Description==
Kanaka Durga Temple is synonymous with Vijayawada. It is mentioned in the sacred texts.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.indiantraveldestinations.com/states-of-india/andhra-pradesh-travel/kanaka-durga.html
|title=Kanka Durga
|access-date=2006-08-20
}}</ref>
[[File:View of Temple from Parakasam Barage in Vijayawada.jpg|250px|thumb|View of Temple Complex from Prakasam Barrage]]
[[File:View of Temple at Praksam Barage with Night Lights.jpg|250px|thumb|A nearby temple viewed from Prakasam Barrage on night lights]]

This is the place where [[Arjuna]] obtained the ''Pasupatha astra'' after his great [[penance]] for [[Lord Shiva]]. The temple was constructed for Goddess [[Durga]] by Arjuna. It is connected by steps and a [[ghats]] road. {{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

The temple occupies an important place in the scriptures as several of the Siva-leelas and Shakti-mahimas were enacted on or around it, making the region a place of unequaled spiritual significance and attracting pilgrims since times immemorial.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.durga-puja.org/devi-kanaka-durga-temple.html
|title=Devi Kanaka Durga, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
|access-date=2006-08-20
}}</ref>

It is mentioned in the hindu scriptures that the deity in the Kanakadurga temple is regarded as '[[Swayambhu]]' or self-manifested, hence considered very powerful.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

Inscriptions of different dynasties are found in the temple.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.krishna.gov.in/eldistrict2/GetPageContent.aspx?OrganizationID=3&LinkNodeIndex=0.0.2&LinkName=Tourism
|title=Kanaka Durga Temple
|access-date=2006-08-20
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212608/http://www.krishna.gov.in/eldistrict2/GetPageContent.aspx?OrganizationID=3&LinkNodeIndex=0.0.2&LinkName=Tourism
|archive-date=27 September 2007
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

==Dasara celebrations==
{{Expand section|date=March 2009}}
Special pujas are performed during [[Navratri|Dasara]] also called [[Navaratri]]. The most significant are [[Saraswati]] puja and [[Theppotsavam]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

The festival of Dasara for Goddess "Durga" is celebrated here every year. A large number of pilgrims attend the colourful celebrations and take a holy dip in the [[Krishna river]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.aptourism.com/apservlets/jsp/iplaces3.jsp?&THEME=Pilgrim+Centres&LOCATION=Vijayawada&DISTRICT=Krishna&infoId=78
|title=Kanaka Durga Temple
|access-date=2006-08-20
}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Kanka Durga Temple.JPG|thumb|Durga Temple-Vijayawada]]
Located in the heart of [[Vijayawada]] city, the temple is just a 10 minutes drive from the railway station and Bus stand and about 20 km from airport. Temple buses are available at bus stand and railway station for every 20 minutes. Vijayawada is located 275 kilometers from [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]. It is well connected by road, rail and air from all parts of the country.

==Dasara festivities of Devasthanam==
{{Hinduism}} Sri Kanaka Durga Devi, the chief deity of the temple is portrayed as blessing the visiting devotees in various forms ([[avatar]]s) during the ten-day festival. A symbolic representation of the 10 forms of triumph of good over evil, this form (known as 'Alankaram') of the day is chosen as per the astrological star of each day, in accordance with the lunar calendar. This year, the devotees are being blessed according to the following schedule of Alankarams:

Day 1 -[http://www.durgamma.com/sri-swarna-kavachalakruta-durga-devi/ SRI SWARNA KAVACHALAKRUTA DURGA DEVI]

Day 2 - [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-bala-tripura-sundari-devi/ SRI BALA TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI]

Day 3 - [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-annapurna-devi/ SRI ANNAPURNA DEVI]

Day 4 - [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-gayatri-devi/ SRI GAYATRI DEVI]

Day 5- [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-lalitha-tripura-sundari-devi/ SRI LALITHA TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI]

Day 6 - [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-saraswati-devi/ SRI SARASWATI DEVI]

Day 7 - [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-maha-lakshmi-devi/ SRI MAHA LAKSHMI DEVI]

Day 8 - [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-durga-devi/ SRI DURGA DEVI]

Day 9 - [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-mahishasura-mardhini-devi/ SRI MAHISHASURA MARDHINI DEVI]

Day 10 - [http://www.durgamma.com/sri-raja-rajeswari-devi/ SRI RAJA RAJESWARI DEVI]

Note: Alankarams may change according to Thidis and nakshatrams every year

==Sakambhari festival==
The annual Goddess [[Shakambhari|Sakambhari]] festival is celebrated in [[Ashadha]] month with deep piety and ceremonies. During the three-day-long festival goddess, Kanaka Durga assumes the form of [[Shakambhari|Sakambhari]] or Banasankari Amma of the [[Banashankari Amma Temple]], wherein prayers are offered to the Goddess to bless all vegetables, agriculture, and food so that they are plentiful and capable of nourishing the multitude. Sakambari festival is from 25 July to 27 July in 2018, as it is celebrated from Sukla [[Paksha]] [[Thrayodashi]] to [[Purnima]], of [[Ashadha]] month every year.<ref>Shakambari festival 2018 at Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple[https://www.hindu-blog.com/2010/07/shakambari-festival-2010-at-vijayawada.html]</ref> Goddess Sakambhari temple is situated in Shivalik Mountain range near to Saharanpur Uttar in Pardesh.[[File:शाकम्भरीदेवी.jpg|thumb|Shaktipeeth Shakambhri Saharanpur]]

==See also==
* [[Banalinga]]
* [[Banashankari Amma Temple]]

==External links==
{{commons category|Kanaka Durga Temple}}
*{{Official website|http://www.kanakadurgamma.org/}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Vijayawada topics}}

[[Category:Devi temples in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Krishna district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Vijayawada]]
[[Category:Durga temples]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Vijayawada]]

Kanaka Durga Temple - Revision history

>Monkbot at 08:32, 14 January 2021