Kanakdurga temple at Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh)

There is a temple of Kanakdurgadevi at Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh. Given further is the history of the temple and the Kanakdhara Holy verse composed to glorify Her.

History of the temple

After a devotee of Devi named Keel assumed the
form of mountain, Durgadevi descended onto it. The mountain
came to be known as Indrakeeladri and when Devi manifested on it the mountains was lit with golden light. Thus, She came to be known as Kanakdurga.

Vijayawada is a big city on the banks of river Krishna in Andhra Pradesh. The Indrakeeladri mountain lies on the bank of the river Krishna. Many Sages had performed severe austerities and penance here. A Devotee named Keel performed intense penance unto Durga Devi. Later ‘Keel’ assumed the form of the mountain. After annihilating the demon Mahishasur, Durgadevi descended onto Keel mountain and then it came to be named as Indrakeeladri. The Devi here is self-arisen. After the Devi manifested, from afar golden light appeared on the mountain hence She came to known as Kanakdurga. Arjun had performed austerities on this mountain and had received the ‘pashupat astra (a kind of missile), from Deity Shiva.

Kanakdhara stotra composed by Adya Shankaracharya

Adya Shankaracharya became a renunciant at a young age. When he was eight as he roamed the village begging for alms (bhiksha) he reached the door of a poor, old Brahman (priest) woman. She had nothing but a gooseberry to offer him which she gave it to Him. This filled the eyes of Adya Shankaracharya with tears. He stood there and recited the ‘Mahalakshmidevi Stuti’ after which She manifested there and said ‘O Shankar why did you think of Me ?’ The young Shankar replied, ‘O Mother, change the destiny of this grandmother and make her prosperous.’ The Devi said, ‘She is experiencing this state as a consequence of deeds from past births’. Adya Shankaracharya further said ‘You have the power to change even the destiny written by Deity Brahma.’ This pleased Shri Mahalakshmidevi and that very moment She showered gold gooseberries in the home of that old woman.

Later the 21 verses that Adya Shankaracharya had composed to glorify Shri Mahalakshmi came to be known as the ‘Kanakdharastotra’.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat