Kanaka Durga Temple is a famous Hindu Temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is located on the Indrakeeladri hill, on the banks of Krishna River.
Goddess Legend
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 lo! 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]
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]
At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting 4-foot-high (1.2 m) icon of the deity is bedecked in glittering ornaments and bright flowers. She is shown eight arms, each holding a powerful weapon, in a standing posture over the demon Mahishashura and piercing him with her trident. The goddess is the epitome of beauty.[citation needed]
Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakiladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different deities, prominent among them are Kali, Shiva, and Krishna.
Transport
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. Vijayawada is located 275 kilometers from Hyderabad. It is well connected by road, rail and air from all parts of the country.
Dasara festivities of Devasthanam
Sri Kanaka Durga Devi, the chief deity of the temple is portrayed as blessing the visiting devotees in various forms (avatars) 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 -SRI SWARNA KAVACHALAKRUTA DURGA DEVI
Day 2 - SRI BALA TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI
Day 3 - SRI ANNAPURNA DEVI
Day 4 - SRI GAYATRI DEVI
Day 5- SRI LALITHA TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI
Day 6 - SRI SARASWATI DEVI
Day 7 - SRI MAHA LAKSHMI DEVI
Day 8 - SRI DURGA DEVI
Day 9 - SRI MAHISHASURA MARDHINI DEVI
Day 10 - SRI RAJA RAJESWARI DEVI
Note: Alankarams may change according to Thidis and nakshatrams every year.
12(d) Donation Schemes:Some of the temples provides facilities for life payments such as performing pujas, Sevs, Annadanams, Vastradanam on a specific day in a year, at cost, the Details will be listed under this:
Amount
Name of Scheme
Description
1116-00
Annadanam
Meals will be providede for 6 to 8 persons every year
50000-00
Annadanam
Daily one person
100000-00
Annadanam
Daily Two person
12(e) Other functions: Which can be performed within the temple premises or other temples within the sanctum such as Upanayanam, Annaprasana, Naming Ceremony, Marriage etc.,
Temple/ Sub- Temple
Function
Remarks
Upanayams, Annaprasana, Naming Ceremony, Marriages will be performed for pilgrims by receiving nominal amount
12 (f)Annual Events:All events, which are special and considered to be major events for the temple that are performed either annually or periodically to be mentioned here:
Name of Event
Time of Event
Remarks
Navaratrulu
September to October
Sivarathri Kalyanam
February to March
Bhavani Deeksha
November to December
13. Other Events:All events, which are special and considered to be major events for the temple that are perfor4med either annually or periodically to be mentioned here.
Name of other diety/Details
Location
Significance
Remarks
Sri. Malleswara Swamy Temple
Sri. Malleswara Swamy Temple complex
Sri Nataraja Swamy Temple
Sri Nataraja Swamy Temple complex
Sri. Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Ghat Road Entrance
14:Temple Facilities:List of Prasadam Counter, Luggage counter, Free meals service
Srikalahasti temple is a holy place near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.It is located on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, a tributary of the river Pennar. Site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanars, was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted mukti.
This temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola king, Rajarajendra. Vayu incarnated as Lord Shiva and is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. This temple`s main idol is the vayu (air) linga.
The temple is also associated with Rahu and Kethu (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme). The river Suvarnamukhi takes the northerly course at Sri Kalahasthi almost washing the west wall of the famous Sri Kalahasthi temple in the Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh. (more rahu ketu page)
Meaning of Sri Kala Hasti
The name of the place comes from three animals, Sri (spider), Kala (snake) and Hasti (elephant) who worshipped Shiva and gained salvation here. A statue that shows all three animals is situated in the main shrine.
History
Srikalahasti which is situated on the banks of Swarnamukhi River and picturesque surrounding of hillocks is a famous Saivite Temple in South India. Thousands of pilgrims visits the temple to have darshan of the almighty Sri Kalahasteeswara and Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi. Sri Kalahasteeswara showers grace to wipe out the sins and obstacles of devotees. Seers and sages worshipped lord Srikalahasteeswara and praised with hymns.
Sri Adi Sankara visited this Kshetra and praised the bhakti of Kannappa in his Sivanandalahari.
The historical reference to this temple occur in the works of Nakkeerar, a Tamil poet in 3rd Century BC during the Tamil Sangam Dynasty. He called it as Southern Kailash. Nakkeera composed hundred stanzas to praise Srikalahasteeswara. Dhoorjati a Telugu poet native of this place and one among the ashtadiggajas of Sri Krishnadevaraya’s court composed hundred stanzas on Sri Kalahasteeswara.
It is one of the panchabhoota sthalam - representing five basic elements. This is the Vayu Sthalam among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams representing Air. The others are - Tiruvannamalai (Thejo sthalam - Fire) Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth) Tiruvanaikaval (Appu sthalam - Water) Chidambaram (Akasa sthalam - Space).
Legend has it that Lord Shiva disguised as Vayu (Air) observed that The Spider (SRI), Cobra (KALA) and Elephant (HASTI) worshipped Him very devotedly. So Lord Shiva made them to relieve from the curse and attain salvation, hence this place is called Srikalahasti.
Many more Tamil Saivite saints like Sambandar, Appar, Manikkavasagar, Sundaramurti, Pattinathar and Sri Ramalinga Swami of Vadalur have also visited this place.[1]
The hill adjacent to temple has still carvings in Pallava style. The Cholas renovated the old Pallava temple in 11th century. Kulottunga Chola I constructed the Galigopuram, the main entrance facing south and Kulottunga Chola III constructed few other temples. In 12th Century A.D., King Veeranarasimha Yadavaraya built the present Prakaras, and the four Gopurams connecting the four entrances. According an inscription of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire dating back to 1516 A.D., he constructed the Hundred Pillared Mantapam and the other tall Galigopuram that faces west to east. In 1529 A.D., King Achutaraya of the Vijayanagara empire got his coronation performed here, before he celebrated in his capital City. The Natukottai Chettiars of Devakottai gave the final shape to the temple in 1912 by donating then around nine lakhs of rupees.
On 26 May 2010, the 136-foot ‘Rajagopuram' of the Srikalahasti temple, which has been in a precarious condition due to a deep fissure along its face, collapsed.[2]
Immediately (27 May 2010), The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Konijeti Rosaiah promised to reconstruct this ancient gift with exactly the same brick to brick dimensions as the one constructed by Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu.[3]
On 16 April 2011, One of the oldest Rajagopuram at veyi lingal kona is collapsed. It is situated 8 k.m east of the main temple srikalahasti.
Rahu and Ketu
What is Rahu and Ketu
Rahu & Ketu, the two Nodes of the Moon, take about 19 months to transit through a sign. Rahu will enter Pisces & Ketu in Virgo on 25'Th March 2005. They're unique in the sense that they're always transiting retrograde, indicating Karma from previous lives. Rahu & Ketu are the mysterious unseen points in space causing the eclipses. They're not technically planets but their influence is so significant that they're given the status of planets.
These two are next in importance to the other two planets -Jupiter and Saturn. These four are the slowest moving planets and require maximum attention when they are in transit.
No planet is 100% malefic (bad). The transit effects depend on how we respond to the favorable & unfavorable situations. Rahu has a positive side, offering great boons in communications, new inventions, technology etc.
Rahu is extroverted, affirming, and ambitious, while Ketu is introverted, negating and detached. Rahu's transits show where someone is likely to expand, driven, try new things and disperse their energy into materialistic pursuits. Ketu's transits show where someone is likely to experience restriction, detachment, completion or focus and deepen their spiritual pursuits. If both the running period & transit effects are bad, the overall effect ought to be bad.
Therefore, you can reduce the malefic effects by performing remedies.
Here goes the list of indications of Rahu/Ketu's transit based on your rising 12 sign or ascendant.
Places To Visit
Sri Durga Temple
Hillock
North from temple
Sri Subrahmanya Temple
Hillock
East from temple
Sri Kannappa Temple
Hillock
South from temple
Sri sukabrahmashram
Close to the Main temple
Sri Pancha Mukeswara Temple
Adjacent to Main Temple
South from temple
Sri Dakshina kali Temple
Approximately 06 km
South from temple
Sri Veyi Lingala Kona (Hills)
Approximately 08 km
South from temple
Sri Varadaraja Swamy Temple
0.5 KM from Main temple
Sri Mutyalamma Temple
1 KM from Main temple towards Court road
Sri Chakreswara Swamy Temple
1 KM from Main temple towards Court road
Sri Dharmaraju Temple
2KM from Main temple towards Sullurpet Road
Sri Shiridi Saibaba Temple
2&nbps;KM from Main temple towards Sullurpet Road
Sri Neelakanteswara swami Temple Urandur
1.5&nbps;km form Railway station
Gudi Mallam
Approximately 20 km
South from temple
Thala Kona
Approximately 120 km
West from temple (Via Tirupati)
Pallikondeswara Swamy Temple
Approximately 100 km
East from temple (Via Nagalapuram)
Thondamanadu sri venkateshwara swamy temple built by thondaman chakravarthy brother of sri padmavathi ammavaru(brother-in-law to sri venkateswara swamy) and Temple is located 10 km away from sri kalahasthi, good transport facility is available and this is only temple where u can see swamy will be sitting along with sri lakshmi devi and padmavathi ammavaru.
Sevas
Abhishekam
Morning: 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 10: 30am
Evening: 5:30 pm everyday
Fridays: 4:30 onwards
The Abhishekams are performed to Lord Kalahasteeswara and Goddess Gnana Prasunambika four times a day.
The Abhishekam: A ritual and part of daily prayers, Abhishekams (bathing the Lingam) are performed to Lord Kalahasteesvara. The Abhishekam is done with Panchakarpura (camphor mixed with water, honey, milk, camphor and Panchamruta) along with chanting of the mantra, which signifies the act cleansing and singing melodious hymns of praises to the Lord. However, the main Lingam is not touched by any human hands and all the prayers and Panchkarpura Abhisheka are offered to the bronze idol called as Utsavamurty. Pilgrims who visit the temple can participate in the Abhishekam that are performed by priests belonging to Bhardwaja Gotra of Apsthmaba Sutra who take up the approved Diksha, a religious initiation, in the temple. During the Abhishekam, flowers, sandal paste and scared threads are offered to the lord.
Kinds of Abhishekams
* Rudrabhishekam
A different kind of Abhishekam, it is a prayer that involves bathing the Lord with milk and camphor, while chanting mantras for purification. Devotees can take part into this by paying Rs 100. After the Abhishekam, the devotees are presented with trithprasadam.
* Palabhishekam
A different kind of Abhishekam, it is a prayer that involves bathing the Lord with milk and camphor, while chanting mantras for purification. Devotees can take part into this by paying Rs 100. After the Abhishekam, the devotees are presented with trithprasadam.
Fees
AARIJITHA SEVAS = PAID SEVAS
1. Go (Cow) Pooja ------ Rs. 50.00 ---- 05.00 AM ---- Allowed 2
2. Suprabhatha Seva per Head ------ Rs. 30.00 ---- 05.30 AM ---- Allowed 2
3. Sarva Darshanam ----- Free ---- 06.00 AM to 09.00 PM ---- Free
4. Special Darshanam ------ Rs. 30.00 ---- 06.00 AM to 09.00 AM ---- Allowed 1
* Note :
* Keep the ticket until leaving the Temple premises
* wearing of white dhoti and apron is a must for abhishekamdars
* 14.1 Firstly : Sankalpam and archana for Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi
* 14.2 Secondly : for Srikalahasteeswara Swamy & Prasadam receiving at Kitchen
15. Rudra Homam : Rs. 1116.00 --- at 10.00 A.M daily once
16. Chandiyagam : Rs. 1116.00 --- at 10.00 A.M daily once
17. Naivedya Katnam (Fee) : Rs. 10.00 ---
18. Nityothsavam (Only mornings): Rs. 58.00 --- at 10.30 A.M daily once
19. Sri Gnanaprasunamba Devi Cradle Seva : Rs. 58.00 --- at 07.30 PM (Only on Friday evening)
20. Kalyanothsavam : Rs. 501.00 --- at 10.30 A.M. daily once
21. Ekantha Seva : Rs. 100.00 --- at 09.00 P.M
22. Pradosha Nandi Seva : Rs. 120.00 --- at 06.30 P.M ----- Allowed 1 person for darshan
23. Sarpadosha Rahu-Kethu Pooja : Rs. 250.00 --- at 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 4 for Darshan
24. Spl.Rahu-Kethu Pooja : Rs. 600.00 --- at 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 4 for Darshan
25. Spl. Ashirwada sarpadosha Rahu-Kethu Pooja : Rs.1000.00 --- at 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 4 for Darshan
26. Spl. Ashirwadam-Rahu-Kethu Pooja : Rs.1500.00 --- at 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 4 for Darshan
27. Spl.Darshan,Asheervadam,Prasadham : Rs. 500.00 --- at 07.00 AM to 08.00 PM
28. Devotees Marriage Fee : Rs. 200.00 --- Only in the mornings
* Note :On Producing necessary Documents from civil authorities
29. Vahana Pooja
* for Heavy: : Rs. 25.00
* For Light: : Rs. 20.00
Accomdation
Name of the ChoultryNo.of RoomsA/c RoomsAmountNon A/c RoomsAmount
Trinetra Guest House
28
18
400/-
10
150-00
Shankara Muni Complex
47
47
150-00
Shiva Sadan
12
12
300-00
Bharadwaja Sadan
36
36
150-00
How To reach
The nearest airport is about 20 km from here at Renigunta, the Tirupati Airport. It is reachable by road from Tirupati, Chennai or Gudur. It is on the Renigunta-Gudur section of Guntakal (GTL) Division of the South Central Railway (SCR). All trains from Vijayawada to Tirupati halt at Kalahasti.
Sri Kalahasthi is connected to the state capital Hyderabad (HYD) by the following trains:
The local transport is by taxis or autorickshaws and city buses. Shuttle buses between Tirupathi and Srikalahasti run every 10 mins.
Andhra Pradesh State owned Bus services (APSRTC) are available from Tirupati central bus station, at a frequency of 10 minutes and other tour operators provide religious tour package visits to the temple in Srikalahasti from the City centre at Tirupati. Taxicabs are also available from Tirupati.
