Kumbhabhishekam concludes on a grand note at Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada

The three-day Kumbhabhishekam Mahotsavam at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam, Kanaka Durga temple, atop Indrakeeladri, concluded in a grand and spiritually-uplifting manner on Sunday, with hundreds of devotees witnessing the sacred rituals amid Vedic chants and devotional fervour.

The ceremonies were held at the shrine of Goddess Kanaka Durga. The rituals, performed for universal welfare and world peace, culminated with Purnahuti and the main Kumbhabhishekam ceremony. The final day’s rituals began early in the morning with mantapa pujas and mula mantra havanams in the Yagasala. At around 9. a.m., the sacred fire ritual concluded with Purnahuti, marking the completion of the yajna.

The main highlight of the ceremony took place at 9.34 a.m. during the auspicious Mesha Lagna Pushkara Muhurtham, when the Kumbhabhishekam was performed on the temple’s main Vimana Gopuram. The sacred consecration was conducted by Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati, pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

Using sanctified waters collected from several sacred rivers and seas, the Jagadguru performed the ceremonial Samprokshanam on the temple tower, filling devotees with spiritual joy and devotion. Following the ritual, the main deities were ceremonially purified with holy waters.

After the Kumbhabhishekam, the pontiff delivered a spiritual discourse at the cultural stage in the Rajagopuram premises, explaining the significance of the ritual and its role in revitalising the divine energy of the temple.

According to temple scholars, Kumbhabhishekam is traditionally performed once every 12 years, during which the temple towers and structures are ceremonially purified and reconsecrated to enhance the spiritual sanctity of the shrine.

Speaking on the occasion, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy expressed hope that the blessings of Goddess Kanaka Durga would bring prosperity and well-being to the people of the State. He said the Kumbhabhishekam would further enhance the spiritual glory of the historic temple.

Several prominent personalities attended the ceremony and offered prayers to the presiding deity. Endowments Department Principal Secretary M. Hari Jawahar Lal and Endowments Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan were present. Temple Trust Board Chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi) and Executive Officer V. K. Seena Naik supervised the arrangements. The temple’s chief priests, deputy priests, members of the Vedic committee and several Vedic scholars conducted the rituals in accordance with Agama Sastra traditions.