| Kanakadurga |
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Kanakadurga
Temple,Vijawada
In the east of
Andhra Pradesh lies Vijayawada, which abounds in caves and
temples dating back to the first century. The significant
amongst them being the Mogalrajapuram cave temple, Undavalli
caves, Kanakadurga and Malleeswara temples.
It's a pleasant
journey into the rich coastal delta of the state where the
"city of victory", Vijayawada, lies between the
Krishna river and its tributary, Budameru. Encircled by a
cluster of high hills, Vijayawada has been the heart of the
historical, cultural, political and literary center OF Andhra
Pradesh. Located about 275 kms from Hyderabad, Vijayawada is
famous for its luscious mangoes, the classic form of Telugu
language and the goddess of benevolence, power and wealth,
Kanaka Durga.
LEGENDS
According to legends, the now luxuriantly verdant Vijayawada
was once a rocky region strewn with hillocks that were
obstructing the river Krishna. The land was thus rendered
unfit for habitation or cultivation. The commoners and the
sages prayed to Lord Shiva to bail them out of the situation.
And Shiva conceded to their prayers by directing the hills to
give way to river Krishna by making tunnels. And lo! The river
started flowing with all its might, unimpeded and uproarious.
There was all round prosperity in the region. As Lord Shiva
made the tunnels or "Bejjam" into the hills, this
region also came to be known as Bejjawada.
Although there are a few mythologies associated with this
place, the city derived the name "Vijayawada" after
the victory of Arjuna over Lord Shiva. Yet another popular
legend is about the triumph of Goddess Kanakadurga over the
demon king Mahishasura. It is said that once upon a time, the
growing menace of demons became unendurable for the natives
living in this region. The sage Indrakila, did severe penance
to appease Goddess Kanakadurga. Pleased, She asked him to
spell out his desire. The sage begged Her to reside on his
head and keep a vigil on the wicked demons and punish them for
robbing the peace of the innocent people. His wish was granted
and after killing the demons, Goddess Durga made Indrakila Her
permanent abode. Later She also slayed the demon king
Mahishasura freeing the people of Vijayawada from the clutches
of evil.
Kanakadurga and Vijayawada are synonymous with each other. SHE
is the presiding deity of Vijayawada and the Kanakadurga
shrine on the Indrakila hill beckons visitors from far and
wide. Every visitor to Vijayawada, however, busy he may be,
never goes back without paying obeisance to this goddess.
At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting four-foot high icon
of the deity gleams into sight even before one enters the
garbha griha. The goddess with eight hands and equipped with
eight powerful weapons is seen in a standing posture over the
demon Mahishashura and piercing him with her trident. The
Goddess bedecked in glittering ornaments and floral
decorations is the epitome of beauty. Devotees worship goddess
Kanakadurga to bestow them with health, wealth and prosperity.
Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara
Swamy on the Indrakila hill. By ascending the steps on the
hill, one comes across little images of different deities,
prominent among them being Kali, Shiva and Krishna.
DARSHAN
The temple authorities at the Kanakadurgeswari shrine have
made elaborate arrangements for devotees to have darshan from
different points. The first is the special darshan from within
the sanctum sanctorum in close proximity of the deity and the
second special darshan is from just outside the sanctum
sanctorum. The third type of darshan is from a far off
distance. The temple remains open for darshan from 4.30 am
upto 10.30 pm. Archanas are performed at 4.30 am, 8.00 am,
2.00 pm, and 6.00 pm. Lakshakumkum archana is performed
everyday, except on Friday and Sunday. Chantings of mantras
and devotional music reverberate in the air in the mornings
and the serenity smells divine.
SEVAS AND DARSHANS
Special Darshan & Seva Rs.
1. Garbha Gudi 5.00
2. Special darshanam (Mukha Mantapa) 2.00
3. Sahasranama archana 8.00
4. Ashtotaranama archana 5.00
5. Ashtotaranama archana (DD / MO) 6.00
6. Lakshakumkum archana 450.00
7. Shanthi Kalyanam 500.00
8. Pallaki seva 100.00
9. Sahasranama archana (special) 415.00
10. 52 Fridays for Goddess Kanakadurga
Ashtotaranama archana 312.00
11. Sri Ammavariki archana
Malleswara Ashtotaranama archana 2.00
Malleswara Sahasranama archana 5.00
12. Malleswaraswamy Rudrabhishekam 312.00
13. 52 Mondays for Goddess Kanakadurga
Satyanarayana Swamy vratam 10.00
14. Upanayanam 10.00
15. Mahanyasa Purvaka Rudrabhishekam 15.00
Shasvatapoojarusumulu
16. Lakshakumkum archana (1 day in a year) 4500.00
17. Shanthi Kalyanam (1 day in a year) 5000.00
18. Pallaki seva (1 day in a year) 1000.00
19. Sahasranama archana 4500.00
52 Fridays for Goddess Kanakadurga
20. Ashtotaranama archana 3500.00
21. Sahasranama archana 116.00
Srikanakadurga archana (any 1 day in a year)
22. Ashtotaranama archana 60.00
23. Shasvata Annadana pathakam 5116.00
(Any one day every year)
FESTIVALS
The devotees of goddess Kanakadurgeswari celebrate many
festivals with great religious fervor. On such occasions, the
temples on the Indrakila hills are adorned in their festive
best. Among the festivals, mention must be made of the ten day
long Sarannavaratri festival and the Kalyanotsavam of
Bhramarambha-Malleswaraswamy. During the Navaratri
celebrations, Kanakadurga is attractively draped and decorated
in different forms for nine days - Bala Tripura Sundari,
Gayathri, Annapoorna, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Lalitha Tripura
Sundari, Durga Devi, Mahihasura Mardani, and Raja Rajeswara
Devi. Each day special prasadams are offered to the goddess
and in the evening she is carried in a procession around the
temple. On the tenth day, that is the Vijayadasami Day,
goddess Kanakadurga along with other deities, dressed in all
her splendor, is carried in a decorated swan shaped boat in
the Krishna waters. This is popularly known as Nauka Viharam
and thousands of people gather at the riverbanks to witness
this colorful ritual!
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