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Dasara at the Kanaka Durga temple, Vijayawada
At dusk a swan-shaped float carries the goddess out onto the Krishna
Dasara Sharannavaratri at the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada is ten days of Navaratri on Indrakeeladri hill above the Krishna river, from the first lunar day of the bright half of Ashvin to Vijayadashami. Each day the goddess is dressed in a different alankaram, a form such as Saraswati or Annapurna, and on the evening of Vijayadashami she is taken out on the river on a swan-shaped float, the Hamsa Vahana Teppotsavam. Next: 30 September – 9 October 2027. Crowds are huge, so plan for long queues.
The temple's committee of priests fixes the schedule of forms about five to six weeks ahead.
The legend
The Kanaka Durga temple stands on Indrakeeladri hill above the Krishna. The goddess is held to be swayambhu, self-manifested; the Kalika Purana mentions her.
The temple's chief legend is Kanaka Durga's victory over the asura king Mahishasura, which freed the people of Vijayawada from evil.
Dasara here lasts ten days, the nine nights of Navaratri and Vijayadashami, and each day the goddess is worshipped in one of ten forms.
Customs
The day's alankaram
Each day the goddess is dressed anew: as Bala Tripurasundari, Annapurna, Gayatri, Saraswati, Mahalakshmi and other forms.
Saraswati day
On the day of the Mula star the goddess is honoured as Saraswati, and students climb the hill; it is one of the busiest days.
Float on the Krishna
On Vijayadashami the goddess appears as Mahishasura Mardini, and at dusk she is taken out on a lit float on the Krishna: the Theppotsavam.
Where to celebrate
Vijayawada
Ten days on Indrakeeladri above the Krishna, the goddess in a new alankaram (form) each day, ending on Vijayadashami with her swan-shaped float on the river at dusk.
The ten alankarams, day by day
The temple's committee of priests fixes the order of forms about five to six weeks ahead, and the Devasthanam publishes it. This is the order in the most recent schedule; the forms are usually the same, but check the new list, because a lunar day can be added or dropped.
| Day | Lunar day | Alankaram (form of the goddess) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Padyami | Sri Bala Tripurasundari |
| 2 | Vidiya | Sri Gayatri |
| 3 | Tadiya | Sri Annapurna |
| 4 | Chavithi | Sri Meenakshi |
| 5 | Panchami | Sri Lalitha Tripurasundari |
| 6 | Shashti, Mula Nakshatram | Sri Saraswati |
| 7 | Saptami | Sri Mahalakshmi |
| 8 | Ashtami (Durgashtami) | Sri Durga |
| 9 | Navami (Mahanavami) | Sri Mahishasuramardini |
| 10 | Dashami (Vijayadashami) | Sri Rajarajeswari |
The Mula Nakshatram day, when the goddess appears as Saraswati, the goddess of learning, is one of the busiest: students and parents climb the hill in large numbers. Durgashtami and Mahanavami, with the goddess as Durga and as Mahishasuramardini, the slayer of the buffalo demon, are the other peak days.
The Teppotsavam on the Krishna
Dasara closes on the evening of Vijayadashami at Durga Ghat, below the hill. Kanaka Durga and her consort Malleswara Swamy are placed on the Hamsa Vahanam, a boat built in the shape of a swan, and taken out on the Krishna in the evening. The temple prepares it with the police, revenue, water resources and fire services. When the river is in flood the float is called off, as has happened before. You can watch it free from the Durga Ghat steps and the riverbank beside them, and many pilgrims bathe in the river before climbing to the temple.
The temple and its legend
The Kanaka Durga temple, officially Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam, stands on Indrakeeladri hill on the bank of the Krishna. Texts such as the Kalika Purana and the Durga Saptashati mention Kanaka Durga on Indrakeeladri and describe the goddess as swayambhu, self-manifested. The temple's chief legend is her victory over the demon king Mahishasura: in the story, the sage Indrakila did penance and asked the goddess to live on his head and keep watch over the demons, and the hill became her seat. That victory is what Navaratri and Vijayadashami celebrate here, as across India; see Dussehra.
Darshan, crowds and getting up the hill
Dasara is holiday season across the Telugu states, and the city fills with pilgrims for all ten days.
- Free queue or paid ticket — The free darshan queue is the longest, especially on the Mula Nakshatram day and Vijayadashami. Paid quick-darshan tickets are sold on the temple's own site, kanakadurgamma.org.
- No private vehicles on the hill — During Dasara the queue lines climb from the Canal Road and ghat road side, and private vehicles are kept off the hill. Park where the police direct and walk, or take the temple's free buses from the designated parking areas.
- Book early — Book a room in Vijayawada about six weeks ahead and trains as soon as they go on sale, 60 days out. Room prices rise sharply over the festival. Arrive the day before the alankaram you want to see.
- Crowd safety — The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) notes that stampedes have occurred at religious gatherings in India and advises following the advice of the local authorities. Keep to the marked queue lines and agree a meeting point. General advice: is India safe.
FAQ
When is Vijayawada Dasara?
Next: 30 September – 9 October 2027. The festival runs ten days, from the first lunar day of the bright half of Ashvin to Vijayadashami, usually between mid-September and late October.
What are the forms of Durga in Vijayawada during Dasara?
In the most recent schedule: Bala Tripurasundari, Gayatri, Annapurna, Meenakshi, Lalitha Tripurasundari, Saraswati (on Mula Nakshatram), Mahalakshmi, Durga, Mahishasuramardini and Rajarajeswari on Vijayadashami. The temple publishes the order each year.
Is there a Dasara festival in Vijayawada?
Yes. The Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri holds a ten-day Dasara Sharannavaratri that draws huge crowds, ending with a float on the Krishna on Vijayadashami.
When is the Teppotsavam in Vijayawada?
On the evening of Vijayadashami, the last day, at Durga Ghat on the Krishna. It is cancelled if the river is in flood.
Can I book darshan online?
Yes, paid darshan tickets are sold on the temple's official site, kanakadurgamma.org. The free queue needs no booking but is the longest.
Sources (7)
- Kanaka Durga Temple
- Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam
- TV9 Telugu: Dasara schedule
- Telugu Oneindia: Indrakeeladri Dasara schedule and alankarams
- Deccan Chronicle: Kanaka Durga temple crowded on Dasara for Teppotsavam
- Deccan Chronicle: Kanaka Durga temple free bus service
- FCDO travel advice for India: safety and security
Facts checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.