The Sri Kanaka Durgamma Temple is located in the heart of Bellary city and stands as one of the most beautiful and scenic temples in the region. Unlike many ancient temples, this shrine does not appear in historical records, Puranas, or inscriptions. Originally a small temple established in the 18th-19th century on the outskirts of the town, it has been gradually renovated and expanded by the local community over time.
Location & Access
Location: The temple is situated in KHB Colony, Bellary, Karnataka 583101
Timings: 5:30 AM to 8:45 PM daily
Accessibility: The temple is centrally located in Bellary city, making it easily accessible to devotees and visitors.
The Unique Deity & Worship
Primary Deity: Sri Kanakadurgamma, a powerful manifestation of Goddess Durga, appears in a serpentine coil (snake form) as the self-manifested deity (Udbhava Murti).
Unique Feature: The most distinctive aspect of this temple is that the fierce form of Sri Kanakadurgamma cannot be viewed from the front. Therefore, the back of the self-manifested deity is decorated with ten eyes, and worship and darshan are conducted from this rear perspective. This is extremely rare in Hindu temple worship traditions.
Festival & Special Occasions
Major Festival: The temple celebrates its annual Rathothsava (Chariot Festival) with Sidibandi procession on the 7th or 11th day after the new moon following Shivaratri each year.
Regular Worship: During Dussehra (Navaratri), special pujas are performed with elaborate decorations, though the temple maintains daily worship throughout the year.
Spiritual Significance & Beliefs
Village Deity Status: Sri Kanakadurgamma serves as the Gramadevata (village deity) of Bellary. Every resident seeks the goddess's blessings for auspicious and inauspicious occasions in their homes.
Devotional Practices:
- Uditumbu (offering of food items)
- Elepuje (leaf worship)
- Kumbapuje (pot worship)
- Archana (special prayers)
Blessings Sought:
- Progeny and child welfare
- Marriage prospects
- Employment opportunities
- Relief from hardships and poverty
- Remedies for Shani dosha (Saturn's malefic effects)
- Planetary afflictions
- Purification from birth, death, and menstrual impurities
Sacred Offerings & Traditions
Special Prasadam: The temple is renowned for three specific offerings to the goddess:
- Antrakaayi (a type of gourd/vegetable)
- Flowers
- Lemon fruits
These items are believed to be particularly effective in fulfilling devotees' wishes and removing doshas when kept nearby during worship.
Unique Rituals:
- Offering of rock salt (Haralu Uppu)
- Uditumbu practice (traditional food offering)
Temple Development & Modern History
Major Renovation (2009-2020): Under the patronage of then Karnataka government ministers Sri B. Sriramulu and Sri Janardhana Reddy, comprehensive development work was undertaken using both government and temple funds.
Infrastructure Added:
- Four gopurams (towers) in all four directions
- Pushkarini (sacred tank)
- Mukha Mantapa (front hall)
- Maha Mantapa (main hall)
- Decorative parapet work
- Pilgrim accommodation facilities
- Temple office building
The temple was consecrated (Kalasarohana) in 2020 after completion of all development works.
Symbolism & Spiritual Meaning
The serpentine form of the goddess represents the primordial Kundalini Shakti, while the ten eyes symbolize divine omniscience and the goddess's ability to see all aspects of devotees' lives. The rear-facing worship is symbolic of the goddess protecting devotees from behind, watching over them constantly.
Rarity & Uniqueness
The most remarkable feature of this temple is the rear-facing darshan with ten decorative eyes - an extremely rare practice in Hindu temple traditions. Most deities are worshipped frontally, making this temple's worship methodology highly unique. Additionally, the specific combination of antrakaayi, flowers, and lemon as prescribed offerings creates a distinctive spiritual tradition not commonly found elsewhere.
The temple serves as both a spiritual center and cultural hub for the Ballari community, maintaining ancient traditions while embracing modern development, making it a perfect blend of devotion and progress.