Kanaka Durga Temple

Kanaka Durga Temple atop the Indrakeeladri Hill on the banks of the Krishna River in Vijayawada is one of the most important goddess temples in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kanaka Durga, a powerful form of the Divine Mother worshipped as the presiding deity of Vijayawada. According to local tradition, the goddess slew the demon Mahishasura at this spot, and her victory is celebrated during the Dasara festival with elaborate rituals stretching over nine days. The temple is reached by climbing 109 steps or via a cable car, and the views of the Krishna River, the city of Vijayawada, and the surrounding plains from the hilltop are panoramic. The Dasara celebrations here are among the most spectacular in South India, with the goddess adorned in different forms each day of the festival. The temple manages an automated darshan system to handle the enormous footfall, which peaks during Dasara when tens of thousands of pilgrims visit daily.