Kanaka Durga Bangle Festival , Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada

The "Bangle Festival" is celebrated at Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Karthik (October-November) every year. On this day women and girls visit the temple and offer bangles to Goddess Durga. The main deity who is worshipped during this festival is Goddess Durga. On this auspicious day, the idol of Goddess Durga is decorated with millions of colourful bangles. This festival is significant in Hindu mythology and is known as "Bhagini Hasta Bhojanam." (a lunch prepared by the sister for her brother). The brother has to eat lunch and wish her "Soumangalyam Sidhi". According to Hindu Mythology, it is said that Lord Yama’s sister named Yamuna, had asked him to visit her house on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Karthik (October-November) for lunch. She herself cooked for him and asked him to bless her as "Soumangalyam Sidhi". Lord Yama accepted his Sister’s invitation and went to her home. He had lunch and blessed her as "Soumangalyam Sidhi". The temple of Kanaka Durga is dedicated to the Goddess of power, riches and benevolence and she is the presiding deity of Vijayawada. Lakhs of pilgrims throng the temple during the festival of Navratri. which is celebrated with religious fervour, pomp and festivity. The ancient temple of Kanaka Durga is located at the top of the Indrakeeladri hill on the banks of the sacred Krishna river in Vijayawada