The Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada is one of the most famous temples in Andhra Pradesh. It is dedicated to Goddess Kanaka Durga, who is known as the goddess of power, wealth and kindness. The temple is the main place of worship in Vijayawada and attracts lakhs of devotees every year, especially during the Navratri festival, which is celebrated with great devotion and joy. The Kanaka Durga Temple timings during festivals allow devotees to have Darshan and offer prayers throughout the day.
The idol of Goddess Durga faces the north-east direction and has a calm and pleasant smile. It is believed that devotees who pray here with faith get their wishes fulfilled. The temple stands beautifully on the Indrakeeladri Hill, on the banks of the River Krishna. It is an ancient temple surrounded by many legends and stories that add to its spiritual importance.
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About Indrakeeladri Hill
Indrakeeladri is a very special and sacred place because it is believed to be the chosen home of Goddess Kanaka Durga and Lord Malleswara. Both deities are said to have appeared here on their own (Swayambhu).
An interesting fact about this temple is that Goddess Durga sits on the right side of Lord Malleswara, which is different from most temples where the goddess is placed on the left. This shows that Shakti (divine feminine power) is dominant on Indrakeeladri Hill.
Features of Kanaka Durga Temple
This is the only temple in the world where the main deity (Moola Virat) is decorated in different forms and each form represents a different aspect of the divine mother, showing her as the giver of knowledge, wealth, strength and prosperity.
- Sri Saraswati
- Sri Maha Lakshmi
- Sri Bala Tripura Sundari
- Sri Rajarajeswari
- Sri Mahishasura Mardini
- Sri Durga Devi
- Sri Annapurna Devi
- Sri Gayatri Devi
- Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari
Mythological Facts About Kanaka Durga Temple
1. Goddess Appeared on Her Own
Goddess Kanaka Durga is believed to have appeared by herself on Indrakeeladri Hill. No one built or installed her idol; she is a self-manifested (Swayambhu) form of the Goddess.
2. Sage Indrakila’s Devotion
Long ago, a sage named Indrakila did deep prayers to Goddess Durga. Pleased with his devotion, the Goddess appeared before him and promised to stay on his hill forever to protect the people. That is why the hill is called Indrakeeladri.
3. Victory Over the Demon
The Goddess fought and destroyed a powerful demon named Mahishasura (or Durgama), who was troubling the world. After her victory, she chose to stay on Indrakeeladri Hill to bless her devotees and keep evil away.
4. Arjuna’s Tapasya
During the time of the Mahabharata, Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva on this same hill to get a divine weapon called the Pasupata Astra. This story adds to the holiness of the place.
5. Presence of Lord Shiva (Malleswara)
Along with Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva is also worshipped here as Sri Malleswara Swamy. Both deities bless devotees together from this sacred hill.
6. Adi Shankaracharya’s Visit
The great saint Adi Shankaracharya once visited this temple. He established a Sri Chakra (holy symbol) and guided people to perform prayers in a peaceful and spiritual way.
7. Story of River Krishna
It is said that the River Krishna once stopped flowing because of the hill. When the hill moved slightly to help the river, a small part of it broke off and floated away — this is known as Thelukonda, the “floating hill”.
8. The Goddess’s Nose Ring
According to another story, Goddess Durga borrowed a nose ring from River Krishna and never returned it. That is why the idol of the Goddess always wears a nose ring to this day.
Also, learn about the 7 Must-Visit Places in Andhra Pradesh.
Kanaka Durga Temple Timings
| Day | Timings |
|---|---|
| Monday | Morning: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM Evening: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Morning: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM Evening: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Morning: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM Evening: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | Morning: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM Evening: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Friday | Morning: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM Evening: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | Morning: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM Evening: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | Morning: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM Evening: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada Entry Fee
| Darshan | Fees |
|---|---|
| Antaraalaya Darshanam | Rs. 500 Per Person |
| Mukhamandapa Darshanam | Rs. 100 Per Person |
| Sheegra Darshanam | Rs. 300 Per Person |
Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada Location
Address: Indrakeeladri, Mallikarjunapeta, Durga Temple Ghat Rd,
Durga Agraharam, Durga Agraharam, Mallikarjunapeta,
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
PIN Code: 520001
Kanaka Durga Temple Seva & Price
Pratyaksha Seva – Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada
The Kanaka Durga Temple on Indrakeeladri Hill is the holy home of Goddess Kanaka Durga and Lord Malleswara Swamy. Devotees believe that offering Pratyaksha Seva (special poojas done in person) brings good health, happiness and wealth.
The temple provides many types of sevas that devotees can attend directly and get the blessings of Sri Kanaka Durgamma and Sri Malleswara Swamy.
Main Sevas at the Temple
| Seva | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aksharabhyasam | A pooja for children before starting their education. | Rs. 150 |
| Chandi Homam | Done daily to remove problems and bring success. | Rs. 150 |
| Ganapati Homam | For Lord Ganesha’s blessings of wisdom and prosperity. | Rs. 1000 |
| Go Puja | Worship of the holy cow for peace and happiness. | Rs. 21 |
| Laksha Kumkumarchana | Big pooja using kumkum to please the Goddess. | Rs. 1000 |
| Mrutyunjaya Homam | Performed for good health and long life. | Rs. 1000 |
| Navagraha Shanti Homam | To reduce the bad effects of planets. | Rs. 540 |
| Pallaki Seva | Evening pooja performed at 7:00 PM. | Rs. 516 |
| Pancha Harathi | Evening aarti performed at 6:00 PM. | Rs. 500 |
| Pavalimpu (Ekantha) Seva | Night pooja performed at 9:00 PM. | Rs. 1116 |
| Rahuketu Pooja | Special pooja to remove Rahu–Ketu doshas. | Rs. 1000 |
| Rudra Homam | For peace, health, and prosperity. | Rs. 1000 |
| Shanti Kalyanam | For family harmony and happiness. | Rs. 1000 |
| Sooryopasana | Sun pooja is performed only on Sundays. | Rs. 50-25,000 |
| Sri Ammavari Archana Sevas | Includes Ashtottara, Sahasranama, Khadgamala, and Vastram Sevas. | Rs. 100-500 |
| Srichakra Navavarana Archana | A detailed pooja for spiritual strength and energy. | Rs. 1000 |
| Veda Aashirvachanam | Blessings from Vedic priests for couples. | Rs. 500 |
Paroksha Seva at Kanaka Durga Temple
Paroksha Seva is a way for devotees to worship Goddess Kanaka Durga from home. You don’t need to visit the temple in person. The temple priests perform the poojas on your behalf, and prasadam (holy offerings) will be sent by post within India. Some sevas can also be watched live on the temple’s YouTube channel.
| Seva | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Laksha Kumkumarchana | Daily at 7:30 AM | Rs.1000 |
| Paroksha Ganapati Homam | For removing obstacles and bringing peace | Rs.1000 |
| Paroksha Mrutyunjaya Homam | For health and protection from illness | Rs.1000 |
| Paroksha Navagraha Shanti Homam | For peace and blessings from planets | Rs.540 |
| Paroksha Rahu Ketu Pooja | To remove doshas from Rahu and Ketu | Rs.1116 |
| Paroksha Rudrabhishekam | For peace and blessings from Lord Shiva | Rs.200 |
| Paroksha Rudra Homam | For prosperity and purification | Rs.1000 |
| Paroksha Shanti Kalyanam | For harmony and well-being | Rs.1000 |
| Paroksha Srichakra Navavarana Archana | For spiritual growth and energy | Rs.1000 |
| Virtual Chandi Homam | For protection and removing negativity | Rs.1000 |
| Virtual Kumkumarchana | Pooja performed online for two persons of one gotra | Rs.200 |
| Sri Ammavari Ashtottara Namarchana (52 Fridays) | Weekly pooja for one year | Rs.2600 |
| Sri Ammavari Sahasranamarchana (52 Fridays) | Special pooja every Friday for one year | Rs.5200 |
Facilities for Pilgrims at Kanaka Durga Temple
The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam provides many facilities to ensure devotees have a comfortable and peaceful visit.
1. Darshan
Devotees can have free Darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga and Lord Malleswara Swamy. Every pilgrim can visit and offer prayers without any charge.
2. Prasadam
The temple distributes free Prasadam every day from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Approximately 145 kg of Prasadam is distributed daily, and on Fridays and Sundays, the amount increases to 210 kg, ensuring that every visitor receives the holy offering.
3. Anna Prasadam (Free Meals)
Around 5,000 devotees are served free meals every day. During big festivals like Dasara and Bhavani Deeksha Viramana, which continue for several days, nearly 1,25,000 pilgrims receive food.
4. Information Centre
An Information Centre near the main temple helps pilgrims with details about Darshan, rooms, Prasadam and Sevas. It also assists devotees in case of missing family members or any other issues.
5. Cloak Room
Items like bags, mobiles, cameras and electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the temple. Devotees can safely keep these in the Cloak Room by paying a small fee.
- A token will be given for the deposited items.
- Keep the token safe to collect your things after Darshan.
6. Kesha Khandanam (Hair Offering)
Devotees who wish to offer their hair can do so at the Kesha Khandanam centre near Durga Ghat.
- The temple has 104 barbers working every day.
- During festivals like Dasara and Bhavani Deeksha Viramana, around 1,500 barbers are arranged to serve the large number of pilgrims.
- Extra barbers are hired during busy seasons, while fewer are needed during quiet times.
- All these facilities are arranged to make every devotee’s visit to the Kanaka Durga Temple pleasant and memorable.
How to Reach Vijayawada
Vijayawada is a big city in Andhra Pradesh and is well-connected by air, train and road. You can easily reach the city and visit the Kanaka Durga Temple.
By Air
The nearest airport is Vijayawada International Airport, located at Gannavaram, which is about 24 km from the city centre. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to reach the Kanaka Durga Temple or the city centre.
By Train
Vijayawada Junction Railway Station is one of the main stations in South India. Trains from all major cities stop here. The temple is only about 4 km from the station and you can easily reach it by auto, taxi or bus.
By Road
Vijayawada is well-connected by good roads through National Highways 16 and 65. Many APSRTC and private buses run from nearby cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Tirupati. You can also drive as the roads are smooth and safe.
Accommodation Options in Vijayawada Near Kanaka Durga Temple
If you are visiting Kanaka Durga Temple, there are many good places to stay nearby. You can find budget hotels, guesthouses and dharamshalas with clean rooms and all basic facilities close to the temple through YatraDham.Org. The website offers comfortable and affordable rooms just a few minutes from the temple, making your visit simple and peaceful.
The Kanaka Durga Temple is known for its powerful spiritual energy, daily poojas and special sevas that bring blessings to all who visit. Devotees can enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling experience with facilities like free Darshan, prasadam, Anna Prasadam and hair offering (Kesha Khandanam). During festivals like Navratri, the temple becomes even more vibrant and lively with devotees from across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 03:30 PM and 06:00 PM to 10:00 PM every day.
The Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada has announced a new protocol making traditional dress compulsory for devotees and prohibiting the use of mobile phones during darshan, especially in queue lines.
There are 400 steps to reach the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada. Devotees can also use a lift, which is available for senior citizens or those who prefer not to climb the steps.
The Anna Prasaddam starts from 5.00 AM to 10.00 PM, where free and unlimited food is offered to all the pilgrims.
The temple holds immense spiritual significance for devotees and is believed that the temple is Swayambhu, meaning self-manifested.
