Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple
| Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple | |
|---|---|
  Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple Location in Andhra Pradesh | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 17°42′02″N 83°17′46″E / 17.7005216°N 83.2960083°ECoordinates: 17°42′02″N 83°17′46″E / 17.7005216°N 83.2960083°E |
| Country | India |
| State/province | Andhra Pradesh |
| Locale | Visakhapatnam |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi |
| History and governance | |
| Website | http://srikanakamahalakshmitemple.org/ |
Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi is the presiding deity of Visakhapatnam locals. The temple is located in Burujupeta of Visakhapatnam city.[1][2]
Description
In so far as Sthalapuranam of this Temple is concerned, there is no authentic information. It is learnt that Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru is the family deity of the then "Rajas of Visakhapatnam". The locality where the idol was found is called "Burujupeta" since it was near "Buruju" of the "Fort" of the then Rajas.
According to local story, in the year 1912, the Idol of Goddess Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru was taken out from the well and it was installed at the center of the road i.e., amidst the Municipal lane. The Municipal authorities, for the purpose of widening the road, have shifted the Idol from amidst the road to a corner of the road. During which period i.e., in the year 1917 the dangerous contagious disease 'Plague' spread over the town and so many deaths occurred in Visakhapatnam village. The people of Visakhapatnam were afraid of the incident and thought the devastation was due to shifting of idol of goddess 'Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi' and therefore, re-erected Ammavari Idol to its original place i.e., at the center of the road as it existed now. Owing to re-erection, the 'Plague' disease was cured and normalcy was restored. With this, the villagers have a staunch belief that it is all due to miracle of Goddess., and thus from then onwards the Villagers used to worship the Goddess by performing sevas with much devotion. Further, the people of the vicinity have strong belief that 'Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru' is the 'MOTHER OF TRUTH' and will always bless her devotees by fulfilling their requirements. The lady devotees have staunch belief that the Goddess bless them with "Sumangali". The devotees of Goddess bring their newly born babies to the temple and keep them at the feet of Goddess and seek blessings.[3]
Annual Festival
Margasira Masa Sambaralu The Annual Festival in the Devasthanam is Margasiramasa Mahothsvam, which is one month festival. Devotees come and worship Goddess Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru in large number during the month of Margasira. The number of devotees that worship her during this month exceeds the number of devotees that worship Her in the remaining eleven months. There will be huge congregation of devotees/pilgrims coming not only from different parts of the State and also from neighboring states. Large number of devotees would visit the temple during Margasiramasa Mahothsvam for darshan, particularly on Thursdays. Thursday is states to be very auspicious to the Goddess.
The other important feature is Maladharana. The Maladharana is a recent one consisting of Mandala Deeksha and Margasira Deeksha to seek the blessings of the Goddess. This temple festival is a unique one, where much preference is given to ‘Annadanam’. The staunch belief of the devotees here is that they should partake in Annadanam and they would like to take meal(s). Every year, during one month festival, nearly 300 persons are to be fed daily; 600 people are to be fed on Thursdays on Saswatha Annadanam and approximately 10 thousand people are to be fed on the last day of the festival by collecting donations from the philanthropists. Elaborate arrangements are made by the Devasthanam for the convenience of the visiting pilgrims for darshan and worship of Goddess and for Annadanam during the festive days, Apart from this, there will be cultural programs, religious discourses, Harikatha Kalakshepams and Veda Sabha during festive days. All precautionary measures will be taken for peaceful and successful conduction of the festival with the support of the District officials.[4]
Transport
Road: APSRTC operates frequent buses from Dwaraka RTC complex in Visakhapatnam city.
Rail:- The nearest railway station is Visakhapatnam railway station.
Airport: The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam Airport.It is a Customs airport with flights to Hyderabad,Chennai,Banglore,Mumbai,Tirupathi,New Delhi,Port Blair,Raipur,Jaipur,Bhubaneswar,Kolkata.It also has International connectivity with Dubai via HYD,Singapore,Malaysia(Kuala Lumpur).
References
- ↑ "Sthalapuranam of the Temple:". Srikanakamalakshmitemple.org\accessdate=2015-05-19.
- ↑ "Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple, VisakhaPatnam - Temples of India". Indiantemple.weebly.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ↑ "Sthalapuranam of the Temple:". Srikanakamalakshmitemple.org\accessdate=2015-09-05.
- ↑ "Sthalapuranam of the Temple:". Srikanakamalakshmitemple.org\accessdate=2015-09-05.