The world famous Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh needs no introduction. Here are few unknown facts about this great temple which attracts millions of devotees in a month. Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple is perhaps the only shrine where Mother Goddess Durga is positioned to the right of the her consort, Sri Malleswara Swamy. Traditionally, the female deity is always to the left of the male deity. The first ritual at the Kanaka Durga Temple is the ‘therthapu binde.’ It is to use the Krishna waters for abhishekam and other worship. The water is ceremonially brought from the river in a brass pot at 3 AM before suprabhatham is sung. The brass vessel is called theerthapu binde. Sari worn by Goddess Durga as Prasad – Six couples are given the exclusive privilege of having first darshan in the antharalayam and offering silk dresses (pattu vastrams) to Sri Kanaka Durga and getting them back after being sanctified by covering it on the murti or vigraha of Kanaka

Ananga is one among the numerous names of Kamdev, Hindu God of Love. After the death of Sati at Daksha Yajna, Lord Shiva entered into deep and intense meditation in the Himalayas. He was no longer interested in the world. Demons took advantage of the situation and got the boon that only a son of Shiva would annihilate them. Devas were in deep trouble because of this. Devas and saints took refuge at the feet of Brahma who told that the only solution for this problem was to bring back Lord Shiva to the world and stop his penance. Brahma asked the gods to take the help of Kamdev to stop the penance by creating sexual desire and passion in Lord Shiva. Kamdev arrived in front of Shiva along with Rati Devi, and shot five arrows of flowers at the heart of Shiva. Shiva’s Tapas was interrupted. He was terribly angry and from his third eye, a fierce blazing flame appeared and burned Kamdev into ashes. Rati Devi was inconsolable at the death of her husband. She asked Shiva

Goddess Kalarupini Nidra is a powerful manifestation of Mother Goddess and reference of her is found in the Vishnu Parva of Harivamsa Purana. It is believed that Kalarupini Nidra was worshipped by forest dwellers. Kalarupini Nidra is described as terrible looking, three eyed, surrounded by animals like goats, roosters, jackals, lions and tigers. She lives on high mountain peaks, rivers, caves and dense forests. She is served by ghosts, goblins and fiends. She is also sometimes referred to as the goddess of sura or liquor. She was offered liquor and meat during her ritual worship by forest dwellers. She is propitiated for good harvest, good hunt and for healthy progeny. Women worshipped her for conceiving and for an incident free pregnancy period.

As per the popular story, Indrakeeladri mountain the abode Goddess Kanaka Durga (the temple is located atop the Indrakeeladri mountain) has taken its name after a ‘yaksha’, an ardent devotee of Goddess Parvati. Legend has it that Keela, the ‘yaksha’, had observed rigorous tapas and appeased the goddess. As boon he asked Mother Goddess to be in his heart forever. Goddess Shakti assured him it would become a reality in Satya Yuga after she killed the demon Mahishasura in the form of Durga. She asked him to assume the form a mountain on the banks of holy Krishna River and she would be seated on it to grace the devotees. In Satya Yuga, Mahishasura, who terrorized all living beings on earth, on the boon strength of the boon of invincibility, fought a pitched battle with Goddess Durga. She overpowered and killed him and ever since the mountain became the abode of Durga, who wears a shining armor and beautiful crown. Goddess destroyed demons Shumba, Nishumba, Sarabasura, Mah

A small collection of thoughts of Swami Dhireshananda. The path of the ants – An ant, by moving slowly, perceives a trace of sweets, and achieves satisfaction by eating it. Similarly, an ordinary aspirant also, by practicing internal and external self-restrains (shama-dama) and the like, and by performing selfless work and devotional practices, slowly over many life times, becomes pure in heart. Then gradually by following the practices in the path of knowledge, he becomes fully accomplished by attaining the knowledge of the Brahman. This is verily the royal path. In this way almost everyone attains the realization of the oneness of Brahman and Atman. In this path one attains gradual liberation, that is, the emancipation comes gradually. Source – Notes on Yoga-Vasistha-Sara translated by Swami Dhireshananda - Swamiji is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order