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Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Goddess Kanaka Durga to adorn new avatar this Dasara
Vijayawada: The 2025 Dasara festivities at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (SDMSD) temple are set to witness increased spiritual fervour and grandeur with the introduction of a new manifestation of Goddess Kanaka Durga. The presiding deity in the temple's sanctum sanctorum will adorn a new avatar, Katyayani Devi, and shower her blessings on devotees during the Dasara celebrations. As a result, the traditionally 10-day-long Dasara festival will be celebrated for 11 days this year at the temple premises. The presiding deity will be adorned as Katyayani Devi on the fourth day of the 11-day Dasara festivities, i.e., on Thursday, Sept 25, after Annapurna Devi and before Maha Lakshmi Devi avatars during the festival. "Last time in 2016, the Goddess Kanaka Durga Devi was adorned as the Katyayani Devi and blessed devotees during the Dasara festival at Indrakeeladri. An additional manifestation of the Goddess Kanaka Durga will be added every time there is an increase of Tithi between Padyami to Dasami Tithis," Durga temple Vaidik committee member Srinivas Sastry said. According to Srinivas Sastry, this year the Chavithi (Chaturthi) Tithi has come on two days, i.e., on Sept 25 and 26, and subsequently, the goddess will be adorned as Katyayani Devi on Sept 25 and Maha Lakshmi Devi on Sept 26. "When a Tithi ends in a short time and two Tithis fall on the same day, the presiding deity will be adorned in two avatars on the same day. In such instances, the Dasara festival will be celebrated for just nine days at the temple, and the goddess will be adorned as Mahisasura Mardini and Rajarajeswari Devi," the pandit said. The pandit further said that the Katyayani Devi avatar is adorned at Srisailam Bramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam every year during Dasara. "Many young and unmarried women observe Katyayani Vratham seeking the goddess' blessings for their marriage. This avatar of the Goddess Durga Devi is not new, and she is worshipped by many women devotees who believe worshipping the Devi Katyayani will remove obstacles in their lives," said Uma Shankar Sharma, a priest based in Vijayawada.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Devotees perform Giri Pradakshina at Durga temple on Guru Purnima
VIJAYAWADA: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (SDMSD) organised the sacred Giri Pradikshina around Indrakeeladri Hill on the occasion of Aashada Pournami and Guru Purnima on Thursday. Devotees from across Vijayawada and neighbouring areas thronged the Kanaka Durga temple to take part in the ritual. Temple Executive Officer (EO) V.K. Seena Naik, along with his family, offered special prayers and ceremonially broke a coconut to commence the event. Devotees, chanting hymns in praise of Goddess Durga, offered coconuts to Goddess Kamadhenu Kanaka Durga at the temple's toll gate and began their 7-km trek around the hill. The Giri Pradikshina route covered Kummaripalem Centre, Nalugu Satambala Centre, Vidyadharapuram, Sitara Junction, Milk Project, Chitti Nagar, and Brahmin Street before returning to Indrakeeladri. Thousands participated in the spiritual procession, offering prayers to Goddess Kanaka Durga and Lord Malleswara Swamy. The temple town was filled with festive fervour as pilgrims walked with devotion. The programme was designed by the temple authorities and the Vedic Committee, inspired by the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam tradition. 'Circumambulating Indrakeeladri on a full moon day is believed to fulfill wishes, as celestial deities are said to dwell here on this auspicious day,' EO Seena Naik said. The procession was enriched with devotional music, thappeta and kolatam folk dances, bhajans, and Vedic chants, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Grand ‘Ashadha Purnima' celebrations held at Indrakeeladri
The Indrakeeladri, abode of Goddess Kanaka Durga, resonated with devotion and vibrant cultural fervour on the occasion of 'Ashadha Purnima', as thousands of devotees participated in the 'Giri Pradakshina' organised by the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, here on Thursday. The goddess was adorned in a splendid 'Swarna Kavacha' (golden armour) and appeared to devotees in the form of Sakambari Devi, decorated with a variety of dry and fresh fruits, and vegetables. The temple's senior priest, Shivaprasad, alongside the vedic committee, and other archakas, performed the 'Saptashati Homam', 'Maha Vidya Parayanam', 'Shanti Paushtika Homam', and 'Kushmanda Bali'. Speaking on the occasion, temple executive officer V.K. Seena Naik said that prayers were offered for timely rains, bountiful harvest, and the prosperity of the nation and the State. Over the three days — from July 8 to 10— approximately 36 tonnes of vegetables, fruits, and dry fruits were used to decorate the sanctum sanctorum and sub-shrines. Devotees were offered 'Kadambam prasadam', prepared with vegetables, free of cost throughout the celebrations. As part of 'Guru Purnima', also known as 'Vyasa Purnima', a special felicitation ceremony was held honouring spiritual teachers and Vedic scholars. Those felicitated included: Tangirala Venkateswara Ghanapati, vedic scholar from the Devasthanam; Shankaramanchi Shivaprasad, senior chief priest of the temple; Ahitagni Guntur Sri Ramachandra Somayajulu, vedic scholar from Krishnalanka. Mr. Seena Naik, along with his spouse, initiated the 'pradakshina' with special pujas and coconut breaking rituals. Devotional fervour marked the procession with performances of 'Kolatam' (traditional stick dance), bhajans, sankeertanas, cultural presentations, and vedic chants by scholars. The route passed through Ghat Road temple, Kummaripalem Centre, Vidyadharapuram, Milk Factory, Chittinagar, Kothapet, Brahmin Street, and culminated at Indrakeeladri, with thousands of devotees walking in reverence and seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga and Lord Malleshwara. In conjunction with the full moon day, the temple witnessed the conclusion of the three-day 'Mahapurnahuti celebrations. The events included Kalashodvasana, Marjanam, Prasadam distribution, and the ceremonial conclusion (Utsava Samapti) of the festivities.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- The Hindu
29.5 kg of gold from Kanaka Durga temple deposited under GMS scheme
Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (Kanaka Durga temple) authorities deposited 29.510 kg of gold ornaments under the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) at the State Bank of India (SBI), Gandhinagar branch, on Monday. The deposit will earn an annual interest rate of 0.60 per cent. According to the temple's executive officer and Special Grade Deputy Collector V.K. Seena Naik, the gold, which had been safeguarded for several years in the temple's strong room, was carefully verified and handed over to the bank authorities. As per the prevailing market rate of ₹9,010 per gram for 22-carat gold, the total estimated value of the deposited ornaments is approximately ₹26.58 crore. A special verification committee oversaw the transfer process. The committee included Jewellery Verification Officer and Assistant Commissioner of the Endowments Department Pallam Raju; officials from the Vijayawada Endowments Department; AEOs P. Chandrasekhar, N. Ramesh Babu, and M.S.L. Vasu from the temple; along with temple gold appraiser D. Shammi. Security was provided by the Special Police Protection Force, including a head constable and three constables. The gold was officially handed over to officials from the SBI Gandhinagar branch in the presence of all committee members and under tight security arrangements.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
EO inspects works at Kanaka Durga temple Veda patasala
Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik on Thursday inspected the progress of works at Kanaka Durga temple Veda patasala (Vedic school) in Poranki. At a review meeting with the principal and supervisors, the EO also reviewed student amenities and Vedic education imparted by the school. He reviewed the progress of work he had directed during his previous visit. Officials informed him that repairs to restrooms, the RO water plant, and windows were completed. Mr. Naik directed the immediate removal of weeds from the playground and urgent repair of the building slab. He inspected the premises and directed engineering officials to ensure all pending works are completed promptly to improve facilities for the students. Meanwhile, as part of the Ashada festivities, women devotees in large groups from distant places offered Ashada Saare (ritual offerings) to Goddess Kanaka Durga at Indrakeeladri. EO Sheena Naik ensured special arrangements are in place, including darshan and prasadam. As part of security measures, the temple administration has expanded crowd management efforts, deployed more staff, and a large number of Shakti Seva volunteers. Anticipating heavy crowds leading up to Guru Purnima (July 10), the final day of the Shakambari Utsavam, the EO is considering restricting inner sanctum and VIP darshan temporarily to streamline devotee movement.
