Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple Visakhapatnam

Goddess Sri Kanakamalalakshmi is the presiding deity of the Visakhapatnam locals. It is believed that Goddess Sri Kanakamalahshmi is considered the family deity of rulers of this area and the present location of the temple was in the rampars of their fort. People believe that the area gained the name of Burujupeta since it is in this area that the ramparts of the fort existed in the past. The idol (bust of Goddess) was located in the middle of a narrow street in Burujupeta. Unlike in other temples in Andhra Pradesh, if not in South India, that the devotees can directly worship the deity. It is a practice completely different from any other temple where the devotees can only come up to the sanctum sanctorum but cannot enter it. A devotee can break a coconut and pour the water on the idol, apply kumkum and turmeric himself or herself. It is common that milk abishekam being performed by devotees. The temple priest do perform the daily puja and other rituals but the devotees worship the Goddess on their own. Thursday is the most auspicious day for the Goddess and thousands throng the temple every Thursday.

The month of Margasira according to Hindu calendar (observed as Margasira Masam) that generally comes during November-December every year is considered the most auspicious one and perhaps this is why the annual celebrations of Goddess Sri Kanakamalalakshmi said to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi are organized at the temple. The festivities began with fervor on the morning with the traditional nadaswar followed by panchamrutabhishekam and sahasranama kumkum puja. Later, the abishekam to the Goddess was performed with milk, followed by pujas in the after afternoon and evening. Recital of Lalitha Sahasranamam in the morning, rendering of Annamayya kritis, Harikahtha and devotional music programme in the evening were organized. Thousands of devotees offered worship on the opening day and the devotional fervor continues for the rest of the month. Especially on Thursday nearly two lakh devotees throng the temple to have darshan. Besides, panchamruthabhishekam and ksheerabhisheka seva, special programmes like recital of the Bhagavad-Gita, Sapthasathi and Mahavidya, Lakshmi homam and Srichakrapuja are being conducted during the month.

A unique feature this year is the Ashtalakshmi alankaram from December 22 to 30 at the temple premises. This year, the Ashtalakshmi idols at the Anivetti Mandapam have comes as a pleasant surprise. Moulded in concrete, they are set up close to the roof in two rows on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. There are ten new idols. Besides the beautiful Ashtalakshmis, there is an idol of Sri Kanakamalalakshmi towards north and facing Her is Sri Rajarajeswari Devi on the south beginning form the sanctum sanctorum and the eight Lakshmi idols are distributed equally beside the two idols.

Sthalapuranam of the Temple:

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 Godess 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 admidst the road to a corner of the road. During which period i.e., in the year 1917 the dangerous contagious disease `Plauge’ 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 peforming 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.

Daily Poojas & Darshan Timings at the temple

Sahasra Nama Pooja
5:00 AM to 6:30 AM

Balabhogam
6:30 AM

Sarva Darshan
6:30 AM to 12:00 Noon

Raja Bhogam
12:00 Noon

Sarava Darshan
12:15 Noon to 6:00 PM

Astottaram
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Pujas / Sevas performed daily and other auspicious days

1. PANCHAMRUTHABHISHEKAM - Rs. 260/- (per couple)

2. KSHEERABHISHEKAM - Rs. 200/- (only on Fridays)

3. SAMUHIKA ASHTOTHARA KUMKUMARCHANA - Rs. 20/-

4. SPECIAL DARSHAN - Rs. 20/-

5. SEEGHRA DARSHAN - Rs. 10/-

6. KESAKHANDAN - Rs. 10/- (per head)

7. SAREE RUSUM - Rs. 5/-

8. MARGASIRA MASA SPECIAL DARSHAN - Rs. 100/-

9. CINEMA REEL PUJA - Rs. 116/-

10. HEAVY VEHICLE (4 wheeler) PUJA - Rs. 100/-

11. TWO /THREE wheeler vehicle PUJA - Rs. 25/-

12. NARIKELA NIVEDHAN - Rs. 1/-
13. 50 or more COCONUTS NIVEDHAN - Rs. 50/-

Contact Address
The Executive
Sri Kanakamahalakshmi Ammavari Temple
22-91-6, Buruju Peta
Reading Room
Visakhapatnam
Andhra Pradesh
India
Telephone: +91-891-2568645

Andhra University | Anthropology Museum | Aquarium – Matsya Darshini | Dolphin’s Nose |
Fishing harbour | Hindustan Shipyard | Indira Gandhi Zoological Park | Kailasa Hill (Kailasagiri)
Kali Temple | Keertana Vanam | Lawson’s Bay & Beach Road | Mangamaripeta Beach (Creek)|
Mudsalova Water Park | Ramakrishna Beach |Rishikonda | Shivajipalem Park | Submarine Museum | The Three Hillocks | Rose Hill | Darga Konda | Sri Venkateswara Swamy Konda |
Victory at Sea | Visakha Museum | Visakhapatnam Port | VUDA Children’s Theatre | VUDA Park |