About Temple
Sri Vaishnavi Kanakadurga Devasthanam is a humble tribute to the divine power that is called The Mother. The temple logo comprises of the Kamala (or lotus) from which the Trishula emanates into the ever radiating Surya (or Sun) with the symbol of 'Om' in the forefront. The Kamala in the logo signifies lakshmikara, the Trishula being the shakti and the Surya representing knowledge.
The temple architecture makes use of the ancient and exquisite Krishnashile or black stone. This proposed sprawling sanctum will consist of the main temple in the centre, surrounded by Ashta Lakshmi temples –
- Adi Lakshmi or Maha Lakshmi
- Dhana Lakshmi
- Dhanya Lakshmi
- Gaja Lakshmi
- Santana Lakshmi
- Veera Lakshmi or Dhairya Lakshmi
- Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi
- Vidya Lakshmi
All the 8 Ashtalakshmi idols in this temple will be made of pache stone (or emerald). The true essence of these eight forms of the divine mother has been beautifully represented by Sri Adi Shankaracharya himself in his composition, Sree Ashta Lakshmi Stotram.
Sri Vaishnavi Kanakadurga Devasthanam will also have 8 Shakthi devata temples in-line with the main temple. The temple premises will house over 100 cows in the Goshala. The Garbhagudi or sanctum sanctorum is graced by the deity Sri Vaishnavi Kanakadurga carved out of a single Krishnashile. The 63 feet tall one-of-its-kind idol of the goddess with its sheer brilliance and grandeur promises to be a breathtaking spectacle for devotees, pilgrims and tourists alike.
Sri Vaishnavi Kanakadurgamaata is believed to be the Supreme Being. Legend has it that she was the incarnation of the Divine Mother Parvati or Shakti and is the creator, protector and destroyer of the world. During the origin of the universe, Sri Vaishnavi Kanakadurgamaata created three masculine forms of herself - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma was assigned for Srishti (creation), Vishnu for Sthithi (sustenance) and Shiva for Laya (dissolution). Granting these duties, she is believed to have vanished into eternity.
It is said that Vaishnavi is the omnipresent prakruti (or nature) by herself and is all pervading, hence the name VaishNavi. According to Hindu Scriptures, Vaishnavi is the feminine form and the shakti of Lord Vishnu and devotees revel in Her grace by worshipping Her diverse forms.
Navadurga or nine forms of Goddess Durga constitute her nine appellations worshipped during the Navratri (Nine Divine Nights) or Durga Puja celebrations every year. The nine forms of the Mother are Śailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandraghaṇṭā, Kuṣhmāṇḍā, Skandamātā, Kātyāyanī, Kālrātrī, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī.
- Shailaputri
Also called Parvati or Hemvati, Shailaputri is the daughter of Himalaya. Known as Sati or Bhavani in her previous birth, she was born again to become the consort of Shiva.
- Brahmacharini
Also known as Uma, she is said to have observed severe penance to marry none except Shambhu. Brahma is one who observes penance (tapa) and good conduct and hence she came to be known as tapacharini or Brahmacharini.
- Chandraghanta
This dauntless form of the Goddess is said to have three eyes and ten hands equipped with ten types of weapons. Seated on a lion, a half-circular moon (Chandra) in seen on her forehead and the frightful sound of her bell (Ghanta) terrifies all the evil forces.
- Kushmanda
The Shakti resides in solar systems and radiates in all directions like the Sun. The name Kushmanda means 'the cosmic egg' and she is considered the creator of the universe.
- Skandamaata
The daughter of Himalaya, after getting married to Shiva, had a son named Skanda. Skandamaata is a deity of fire and Skanda is seated on her lap. With three eyes and four hands, she is bright complexioned white and seated on a lotus.
- Katyayani
Rishi Katyayan observed penance with a desire to get paramba as his daughter. Katyayani as a result took birth as his daughter. Adorned with three eyes and eight hands, she is seated on a lion and carries eight types of weapons.
- Kalratri
Kalratri is dark like the night. Decked with lightening like necklaces, she has three bright eyes and exhales huge flames of fire. She is known to make her devotees fearless and also called Shubhamkari.
- Mahagauri
White as the moon, Mahagauri is all of eight years old. Riding on a bull, she is known to be calm and passive.
- Siddhidatri
Mahashakti or Siddhidatri is said to grant the eight Siddhis namely - Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva & Vashitva. According to Devipurana, Lord Shiva obtained all these Siddhies by worshipping Mahashakti. By her grace, half of Lord Shiva's body thus transformed into the goddess herself and thus his name 'Ardhanarishvar' came into being.