Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada: Your Divine Invitation to One of the 18 Shaktipeeths

The divine Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, is not only an important Shaktipeeth, but also a bold symbol of the divine feminine power. 

Nestled at the top of Indrakeeladri Hill, it is a breathtaking temple, due to its architecture and location by the Krishna River. Devotees flock to this temple year after year in huge numbers. 

In case you’re about to be a part of the flock too, the information mentioned here will come in handy in finding out Vijayawada Durga Temple timings, location, history, how to reach, and more. 

A Foreword to Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada

There are two interesting legends associated with Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada, making it one of the most revered religious sites in India. In fact, it is one of the 18 highly revered Shaktipeeths in India. 

The Shaktipeeths are considered auspicious, as it is believed that the body parts of Shakti fell at these locations when Shiva carried her mortal remains after her self-immolation. 

Find out the history of Kanaka Durgamma Temple and important tidbits about it in these subsections: 

The Tale of Kanaka Durgamma Temple 

The foremost, and also the most widely known, and believed tale is that of Mahishasura Vadh. There was a time when the buffalo demon–Mahishasura- was terrorizing the region, which led to the gods praying for Goddess Durga’s divine intervention. 

Aside from the gods, a devotee of Goddess Durga– Sage Indralika—performed severe penance day and night to appease her divinity. The goddess, impressed by this devotion, slayed Mahishasur and took the hill as her permanent residence to always protect the villagers. 

This is the reason the prime deity here is worshiped in the form of Mahishasur Vardini. 

Arjuna and the Pashupatastra: How Vijayawada Got its Name 

In one of the versions of the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna (one of the Pandavas) comes to the Indrakeeladri hill to pay his penance and impress Lord Shiva. 

Succeeding in this attempt due to his devotion, Lord Shiva bestowed him with the Pashupatashtra (Shiva’s weapon). The astra had added to Arjuna’s strength in the war and was one of the significant agents leading to his triumph. 

Following his victory in the war between the Kauravas, and the Pandavas, the city was named Vijayawada, meaning “the place of victory.” 

The Significance of Indrakeeladri Hill 

Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada, is nestled at the top of Indrakeeladri hill. The name dates back to the legend of Mahishasura Vadh, when a yaksha (demon) named Keela was blessed by Goddess Durga to take the shape of the hilltop. 

That is the same hilltop she resides on to date, in the form of a deity in the Durga Devi Temple Vijayawada. The name actually breaks into Indra-Keela-Adiri (Lord Indra + Demon Keela + Hill).

 Indra was added to the name as the hill was visited by him and several other gods following the event of Mahishasura Vadh to thank Goddess Durga. 

Architectural Prowess of Kanaka Durga Temple 

Religiously, the Shaktipeeths are just as important as the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, if not more. Over time, this has added to the significance of the temple, historically, and because of it, architecturally as well. 

Features of the Temple:

• Architectural Style: A harmony can be seen in the elements of Dravidian architecture and the Chalukyan-style structures. 

• Towering Gopurams: Being a signature feature of Dravidian architecture, the gopurams can be found in various temples in Tamil Nadu, as well as in the temples in Chennai. 

• Detailed Carvings: The history of the temple is adorned by its walls like a magnificent jewel, where the development of events can be seen clearly, scene by scene. 

• Vimana Feature: Signifying the spiritual ascent, the vimana over the sanctum is a key feature in Hindu temples. 

These developments were mainly promoted by King Madhava Verma and King Krishnadevaraya. Thus, Sri Kanaka Durga Devi Temple still carries imprints of the history during their rule. 

To find out the Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple timings today, read the section up next. 

Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple Timings

The Vijayawada Durga Temple timings for the morning session are 6 am to 3:30 pm, and for the evening, 6 pm to 10 pm. Find the query about the Kanaka Durga Temple timings resolved here:

There are three types of darshanams offered here; find the timings for them in the tables below. 

This table contains the Kanaka Durga Temple Darshan timings for Antaralaya Darshanam: 

Antaralaya Darshanam
Morning Hours	6:00 am to 3:30 pm
Evening Hours	6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple timings today for the Mukhamandapa darshan are mentioned in this table:

Mukhamandapa Darshanam
Morning Hours	6:00 am to 3:30 pm
Evening Hours	6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Vijayawada Durga Temple Darshan timings for Sheegra Darshanam have been mentioned in the table below: 

Sheegra Darshanam
Morning Hours	6:00 am to 3:30 pm
Evening Hours	6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

These were the Vijayawada Kanaka Durgamma Temple timings for the morning and evening sessions. 

As mentioned above, different darshan types vary by cost, so read the section up next to find the Kanaka Durga Temple ticket price.

Kanaka Durga Temple Ticket Price 

Kanaka Durga Temple online ticket bookings can be made through the website booking portal, and the tickets cost somewhere between ₹100 and ₹500. 

Find the different costs and requirements for Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada online booking in this table: 

Darshan Type	Darshan Ticket Price
Antaraalaya Darshanam	₹500
Mukhamandapa Darshanam	₹100
Sheegra Darshanam	₹300

What are the Requirements for Kanaka Durga Temple Online Ticket Booking?

There aren’t many requirements for Kanaka Durga Temple bookings online. One government ID and being above the age of 12 are the only two requirements for booking the tickets. 

Acceptable Government IDs:

• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID
• PAN Card
• Passport
• Ration Card 

Upon reaching the temple, you will be required to show your ID again, so do not forget to carry it along. 

Let’s take a glance at a few more sevas and unique rituals at the temple in the subsequent section. 

Rituals & Special Poojas at Kanaka Durgamma Temple  

Sri Kanaka Durga Devi Temple provides an opportunity to delve into many spiritual activities like the poojas and sevas. 

Here are the daily poojas and rituals held in the temple:

• Subprabata Seva- Hymns and prayers sung every morning to wake the deity. 
• Archana- The purohits at the temple offer prayers to the deity on behalf of all the devotees present in the sanctum.  
• Abhishekam- A sacred bathing ceremony held every day, using honey, milk, flower petals, holy water, etc. 
• Kumkum Archana- An auspicious ceremony consisting of offering sindoor (vermillion) to the devi. 
• Sahasranama Archana: The act of reciting 1000 names of the Devi to invoke her blessings upon the devotee. 
• Chandi Homam: One of the special rituals performed to seek protection and prosperity. 

A few festivals associated with Goddess Durga are celebrated with a lot of vigour at Kanaka Durgamma Temple, read the next section to know more. 

Festive Celebrations to Experience at Kanaka Durga Temple

A few festivals that make the temple brim with spiritual positivity are Navaratri, Dusshera, Saraswati Pooja, and Maha Shivaratri. 

• Navaratri: The fervour of dance and decorations is at its peak during these nine holy days of celebrating Goddess Durga’s nine forms. It is celebrated with love, light, dance, colourful clothes, and feeding many little girls referred to as kanjaks, who are considered a manifestation of Maa Durga herself!

• Dusshera: At the culmination of the grand celebration of Devi’s nine forms, Dusshera is celebrated with a final spurt of energy. Devotees feel a spiritual ecstasy, as this festival is celebrated with fireworks and vibrancy. 

• Saraswati Pooja : Maa Saraswati is considered the goddess of knowledge, which makes her a highly revered deity. Hence, Saraswati pooja too is celebrated in full glory. 

• Maha Shivaratri: Mahashivaratri is celebrated with a fervour because Lord Shiva is the spouse of Maa Parvati, one of the nine forms of Devi. Moreover, the blessing of Shiva to Arjuna, in the form of the Pashupatastra, gave Vijayawada its beautiful name, which increases the importance of this festival in Vijayawada.

What is the Best Time to Visit Kanaka Durgamma Temple? 

Early-winter season is the best time to visit Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada, because the Navaratri celebrations are usually held during the months of September and October. 

The weather in Andhra Pradesh is the most pleasant during this time, as the state does not experience extreme winter. Expect a temperature between 15 °C to 30 °C during these months. 

Find out how to make your journey to and from the temple easy by reading the section below. 

How to Reach Kanaka Durga Temple Without Breaking a Sweat?

Several modes of transport lead to the temple. Here are a few ways you can reach Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada:

• By Air: NTR Amravati Airport, also known as Vijaywada Airport is at a distance of 21 km from the temple. From here, you can easily hire a cab or private taxi to the temple. 

• By Train: The nearest railway station is Vijayawada Junction, just at a distance of 5 km away. 

• By Road: NH 16 and NH 65 are the two national highways leading to Vijayawada from Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. 

• By Bus: APSRTC Bus Depot is the closest stop to the temple, located at a distance of 2 km. Take a short rickshaw ride to reach the temple quickly. 

Where is Kanaka Durga Temple Located? 

The Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada is located on the Indrakeeladri hilltop, and the exact address and location of the temple are given below:

Address: Arjuna Street Mallikarjunapeta Indrakeeladri, Durga Agraharam, Mallikarjunapeta, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520001. 

There are many amenities available at the temple, as the authorities are aware of the type of distances devotees cover to reach the temple. Read all about it in the following section. 

Facilities & Amenities Provided by the Temple 

Facilities available at the Kanaka Durga Temple range from accommodation, prasadam, wheelchair assistance and enabling Kanaka Durga Temple online ticket booking.

These are the amenities available at the temple:

• Drinking Water & First Aid: The temple has provisions made for cases of emergency, along with clean drinking water and washrooms. 

• Accommodation: Pilgrims planning to stay in Vijayawada have the option to reside at the temple dormitories/ guesthouses. 

• Wheelchair Assistance: Due to being well-equipped with wheelchair-friendly ramps at the premises, the temple enables equal access for all devotees at the temple. 

• Guided Tours: Those of you highly inquisitive about the carvings, history, and legends behind the temple have the option to take a guided tour. 

• Cloakrooms: No need to worry about storing your footwear and bags, as the visitors’ belongings are kept safe in the temple’s cloakroom. 

Let’s end the suspense around the Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple photos in the succeeding section. 

Kanaka Durga Temple Photos 

Here are a few Vijayawada Durgamma photos that will bless your eyes, and maybe even the day:

Now that we have covered everything there was to know about the temple, let’s look at a few things to do near Sri Kanaka Durga Devi Temple.

Nearby Attractions & Things to Do Around Kanaka Durgamma Temple 

Because of the location of Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada, adjacent to the holy Krishna River, the places to visit nearby are plenty. Like the Krishna River Ghat, Undavalli Cave Temple, Bapu Museum, Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami Temple, riverfront park, Someshwar Swami Temple, and more, which are worth a visit.  

In fact, I was headed to visit Anjaneya Swami Temple, after which I found the renowned Shaktipeeth–Kanaka Durga Temple near me, and I’m so grateful I didn’t miss it. Who knows? You might feel the same way after visiting one of these sites as well: 

1. Holy Bath at Krishna River: Right after the darshan of Kanaka Durga at the Vijayawada Shaktipeeth, people like to take a dip in the holy Krishna River. Even if you don’t wish to take a dip, just watching a quiet sunset from the riverbank is quite peaceful.  

2. Undavalli Cave Temple: Undavalli Caves are monolithic rock-cut structures, quite similar to the Parthenon. Located in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, it is quite a marvel to look at!

3. Bapu Museum Vijayawada: Once inaugurated under the name of ‘Victoria Jubilee Museum’ to celebrate the golden jubilee coronation of Queen Victoria has now been renamed to Bapu Museum Vijayawada. It holds some really impressive archaeological and historical artifacts that are worth taking a look at. 

4. Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami Temple: Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami Temple is a beautiful shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman’s unique form called Panchmukha Anjaneya (meaning 5-faced Hanuman). It is a must-visit due to its unique structure and location. 

5. Riverfront Park, Vijaywada: Being a beautiful riverfront park, it is quite surprising that it isn’t very crowded. Around the monsoon months and from November to February, this park is the perfect place to sit and relax. 

6. Someshwar Swami Temple: Someshwar Swami Temple in Andhra Pradesh is one of the Pancharama Temples (5 ancient Shiva temples) and is considered highly auspicious. A special feature of the Shivalingam here is that it changes color between black and white according to the lunar cycle. 

Paying an actual visit to this temple is 10x the fun you must’ve had while reading about it. Now that we’ve covered everything, let’s move towards wrapping it up.

Concluding Notes 

When visiting this auspicious Shaktipeeth, Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada, you will experience a shift in energies, both within and around you. With the Krishna River flowing by the side, and a hilly terrain holding together many religiously significant sites, it is a beauty to marvel at.

The vibes here are strong enough to lift anybody’s spirits, and even the breeze here is spiritually charged! Wishing you clear skies and clear minds on this journey towards solitude.