- Prime Deity: Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi (Swayambhu / Self-manifested).
- Location: Burujupeta, I Town Area, Visakhapatnam (also called Vizag), Andhra Pradesh
- Importance: Vizag Grama Devata (Guardian Deity of Vizag)
- Unique Feature: Open-air sanctorum with no Gopuram / roof over the idol.
- Devotees' Privilege: Devotees can enter the sanctorum and can directly touch the idol and do Palabhishekam (pouring milk on the idol) with their own hands.
- Key Festive Celebration: Margasira Lakshmi Varalu (Thursdays of Margasira Month) and month-long Margasira Masa Mahotsavam.
- Dedicated Days to Visit: Thursdays esp. Margasira Thursdays
- Darshan Timings: Open 24 hours. Closed for cleaning from 11 a.m to 11.30 a.m and 5.30 p.m to 6 p.m.
The small stone idol of Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi under a big tree with a temporary bamboo cover known as Tadika in Telugu. With just iron railing on three sides and nothing else, not many devotees and no crowd at all. I recollect those days when my mom used to do Palabhishekam to the idol and then worship with pasupu, kumkuma. As years rolled by, I witnessed the gradual expansion of the temple from an ordinary small one to the present massive form with gopuram and with heavy crowd round the year.
Being a native of Vizag, I vaguely remember the days when we used to visit Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple during my childhood days along with my parents and siblings during our annual visits to Visakhapatnam (also known as Vizag and Waltair in those days).
Vizag - The City of Destiny
Visakhapatnam also known aa Vizag and Waltair by the locals is an ancient coastal city. Presently one of the fastest developing metros, is the eastern headquarters of the Indian Naval Command. The city with natural harbour, rich cultural heritage and beautiful beaches is often called 'The Jewel of the East Coast'. Once upon a time Vizag was a small fishing village which has evolved into an industrial hub and a vital port city and became the top gateway of India for seafood exports.
Inspite of an industrial centre, Vizag is a peaceful city with lovable esp peace-loving people. The city attracts toursits for its beautiful beaches, the ancient Buddhist sites at Thotlakonda and Bavikonda and the ancient temples of Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam.
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple History and Sthalapuram
The temple is located in the lane adjacent to Reading Room in Burujupeta which is in a heavily crowded one town area of Visakhapatnam. It is easily reachable from all corners of the city and there are good number of city buses that ply from all areas of the city to Reading Room wherefrom the temple is at a walkable distance.
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi is the Grama Devata or the Guardian deity of the city.
Sthalapuram or Temple History
As per the temple history, the idol of Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavaru was found in a well in 1912 C.E (Current Era). Later it was taken out from the well and was installed in the mid of the road. Presently, the well is inside the temple premises and is closed.
Later in 1917, when the Vizag Municipal had shifted the idol for road widening, a deadly plague spread killing hundreds of locals. The terror struck people of Visakhapatnam thought that it was the result of Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavaru's fury due to the shifting of idol.
For the welfare of the citizens, the idol was brought back and reinstalled in its original place. And within no time there was normalcy in the town. From then onwards people believed that it was Ammavaru's miracle.
Margasira Mahotsavam
Margasira Masam and also Sravana Masam are dedicated to Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi and highly sacred to worship Ammavaru specially during these two months.
The temple is heavily crowded with devotees during these months especially during Margasira Masam. Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi is specially worshipped on Margasira Lakshmi Varalu (Thursdays of Margasira month).
The annual celebrations of the festival held in Margasira month are called Margasira Mahotsavam. Special poojas are performed in the temple on Margasira Thursdays. The temple is heavily crowded with devotees coming from the entire Visakhapatnam and neighbouring districts.
Devotees perform Ksheerabhishekam, Kumkumarchana and worship Ammavaru with great devotion. The uniqueness of the temple is that unlike all the other temples of the state, here devotees can directly touch the idol irrespective of caste and creed and perform puja to Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavaru with their hands.
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavaru is very powerful and always showers Her blessings on devotees. The immense bliss and divine vibes which we always feel on touching the stone idol of Ammavaru, cannot be expressed in words. One can understand only when one touches the idol.
ॐ Insights into Hinduism by Sobha Kalyani Chivukula
Related Posts |