A TO Z INDIA - AUGUST 2021
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: INDEPENDENCE DAY 2021 - On this day, the national flag of India is hoisted at multiple public places; Prime Minister unfurls the national flag at Red Fort in Delhi to commemorate this historical event. Along with the flag-hoisting ceremony, parade and folk-dance performances also take place. Multiple festivities take place in different parts of the nation. WOMEN IN PRISONS - Prison systems often hide violence and depravity behind their closed doors, which is detrimental to the reform of offenders. AFGHAN POLITICAL LEADER:ABDUL GHAFFAR KHAN - Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan was known as Badshah Khan and “Sarhadi Gandhi” and Frontier Gandhi. He was born in 1890and Died on January 1988.
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: INDEPENDENCE DAY 2021 - On this day, the national flag of India is hoisted at multiple public places; Prime Minister unfurls the national flag at Red Fort in Delhi to commemorate this historical event. Along with the flag-hoisting ceremony, parade and folk-dance performances also take place. Multiple festivities take place in different parts of the nation. WOMEN IN PRISONS - Prison systems often hide violence and depravity behind their closed doors, which is detrimental to the reform of offenders. AFGHAN POLITICAL LEADER:ABDUL GHAFFAR KHAN - Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan was known as Badshah Khan and “Sarhadi Gandhi” and Frontier Gandhi. He was born in 1890and Died on January 1988.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Ancient Temples:
Kanaka Durga Temple, Andhra Pradesh
✒ Adithyan
Kanaka Durga Temple, AP
Kanaka Durga Temple is a famous hindu
Temple of Goddess Durga located in
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is
located on the Indrakeeladri hill, on the
banks of Krishna River. Kaalika puraana,
Durgaa sapthashati and other vedic
literature have mentioned about Goddess
Kanaka Durga on the Indrakeelaadri and
have described the deity as Swayambhu,
(self-manifested) in Triteeya kalpa.
According to a legend, the now verdant Vijayawada was once a rocky region strewn with hills that
obstructed the flow of River Krishna. The land was thus rendered unfit for habitation or cultivation.
Invocation to Lord Shiva for His intervention directed the hills to make way for the river. And the river
started flowing unimpeded with all its might, through the tunnels or "Bejjam" bored into the hills by Lord
Shiva. That is how the place got its name Bezawada.One of the many mythologies associated with this place
is that Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva on top of Indrakeela hill to win His blessings and the city derived its
name "Vijayawada" after this victory.
Another popular legend is about the triumph of goddess Kanakadurga over the demon King Mahishasura. It
is said that the growing menace of demons became unbearable for the natives. Sage Indrakila practiced
severe penance, and when the goddess appeared the sage pleaded Her to reside on his head and keep vigil
on the wicked demons. As per his wishes of killing the demons, Goddess Durga made Indrakila Her
permanent abode. Later, She also slayed the demon king Mahishasura freeing the people of Vijayawada
from evil. At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting 4-foot-high (1.2 m) icon of the deity is bedecked in
glittering ornaments and bright flowers. Her icon here depicts Her eight-armed form - each holding a
powerful weapon- in a standing posture over the demon Mahishashura and piercing him with Her trident.
The goddess is the epitome of beauty.Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara
Swamy on the Indrakeeladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different
deities, prominent among them are Kanaka Durga, Malleswara and Krishna (River).
A TO Z INDIA ● AUGUST 2021 ● PAGE 18
Change language