Kanaka Durga temple to host 3-day Kumbha Abhishekam Mahotsav from Friday

Vijayawada: The historic Kanaka Durga Temple atop Indrakiladri is set to witness the grand Kumbha Abhishekam Mahotsav, a sacred ritual performed once every 12 years according to the Agama traditions. Temple authorities completed elaborate arrangements for the three-day ceremony, which is likely to begin on Friday.The Kumbha Abhishekam is considered a highly significant spiritual event aimed at revitalising the divine energy of the temple. As part of the ritual, the kalasha atop the temple vimana, symbolically representing the divine trinity and mother goddesses, will be consecrated through elaborate Vedic rites.The ceremonies will begin with Ganapati Puja, Punyaha Vachanam, Deeksha Dharana, Ankurarpana and Agni Pratishtapana, followed by Moola Mantra Havanams in a specially constructed yagashala. Priests will invoke holy waters from sacred rivers and seas into kalashas through Vedic chanting, homams and agama procedures.On the second day, rituals such as Ashtottara Kalasha Sthapana will be performed using waters collected from various sacred rivers, along with Peetha Puja and special homams.The main Kumbha Abhishekam will be performed on Sunday at 9:34 am in Aries Lagna at the sanctum of Goddess Kanaka Durga. During the ceremony, the sanctified waters will be poured over the temple vimana, symbolising the spiritual rejuvenation of the shrine.The event will also be attended by Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati, head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, who will deliver a spiritual discourse following the ceremony. Devotees from across the region are expected to participate in the rare and auspicious event.