Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavari Photo |
Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavari Devasthanam
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.
The greatest and the most noteworthy aspect of Ammavaru is that She wanted not to have a temple and wished to remain without any roof over Her Idol. Hence this temple is having a unique feature of not having a roof and is open to sky. Worship is being done in the temple without any caste, religion and creed. And the other equally noteworthy feature is that Goddess wishes that devotees come and worship as they like without any aid or benedictions of any purohit. This feature has attracted almost all the devotees and won their acceptance. Thursday is very auspicious day to the Presiding Deity ` Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru’. Every day, “Panchamrutha Abisekham (It is also called `Trikalarchana’) is being performed to the Goddess thrice by the devotees on payment of Rs.216/- by allowing two persons at the Puja timings mentioned below.
- Trikalarchana Timings: Prathakala Puja at 05:00 a.m.
- Madhyahna Puja at 11:30 a.m.
- Pradoshakala Puja at 06:00 p.m.
Saswatha Pujas: On every Friday, `Ksheerabhishekam’ is being performed at 09:30 a.m. by the devotees on payment of Rs.200/-, besides other Sevas such as `Sahasranama Puja on Tuesday & Friday, Samuhika Astothara on Thursday & Fridays & Astothara Kumkumarchana regularly.
The following Pujas are being performed in the Temple on receipt of permanent donations from the devotees by utilizing the interest thereon to perform Pujas:
1) Saswatha Sahasranama Puja (Every Thursday) Rs.5,000/-
2) Saswatha Astothara Kumkum Puja (Yearly Once) Rs.500/-
3) Saswatha Panchamrutha Abhishekam (Yearly Once) Rs. 2,500/-
4) Saswatha Ksheerabhishekam (Yearly Once) Rs. 1,116/-
Pujas / Sevas performed daily and other auspicious days 1. PANCHAMRUTHABHISHEKAM - Rs. 350/- (per couple)
2. KSHEERABHISHEKAM - Rs. 200/- (only on Fridays)
3. SAMUHIKA ASHTOTHARA KUMKUMARCHANA - Rs. 20/-
4. SPECIAL DARSHAN - Rs. 20/-
5. KESAKHANDAN - Rs. 10/- (per head)
6. SAREE RUSUM - Rs. 5/-
7. SPECIAL DARSHAN - Rs. 100/-
8. CINEMA REEL PUJA - Rs. 116/-
9. HEAVY VEHICLE (4 wheeler) PUJA - Rs. 100/-
10. TWO /THREE wheeler vehicle PUJA - Rs. 25/-
Temple Timings:
Temple Opened 24 Hours
5 A.M. to 6 A.M | Panchamruthabhishekam, Sahasranamarchana, Balabhoga Nivedhana |
From 6 A.M. | Sarva Darsanams |
11 A.M. to 11:30 A.M | Cleaning of Temple |
11:30A.M. to 12 Noon | Panchamruthabhishekam, Astotharanamarchana, Rajabhogam, Mahanivedhana |
From 12 Noon | Sarva Darsanams |
5:30 P.M. to 6 P.M | Cleaning of Temple |
6 P.M. to 6:30 P.M | Panchamruthabhishekam, Astothara Sathanamarchana, Sayamnivedhana |
6:30 P.M. to 5 A.M | Sarva Darsanams |
KumKum Pooja | Performed from 7 AM to 9 PM |
Ksheerabhishekam Pooja | Performed on every Friday from 8 AM to 9 AM |
Annual Festival: (Margasira Masa Sambaralu)
The Annual Festival in the Devasthanam is Margasiramasa Mahothsvam, which is one month festival. This year, the festival will be started by 26-11-2011 and it will continue upto 24-12-2011 . Devotees come and worship Goddess Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru in large number during the month of Margasira. The number of devotees that worship her during this month exceeds the number of devotees that worship Her in the remaining eleven months. There will be huge congregation of devotees/pilgrims coming not only from different parts of the State and also from neighboring states. Large number of devotees would visit the temple during Margasiramasa Mahothsvam for darshan, particularly on Thursdays. Thursday is states to be very auspicious to the Goddess. An amount of Rs. 7,500/- is fixed to be collected for each puja by allowing two persons to perform Panchamruthabhishekam to the Goddess. During the remaining days, an amount of Rs. 2500/- is fixed to be collected for the same puja. The other important feature is Maladharana. The Maladharana is a recent one consisting of Mandala Deeksha and Margasira Deeksha to seek the blessings of the Goddess. This temple festival is very unique one, where much preference is given to ‘Annadanam’. The staunch belief of the devotees here is that they should partake in Annadanam and they would like to take meal(s). Every year, during one month festival, nearly 300 persons are to be fed daily; 600 people are to be fed on Thursdays on Saswatha Annadanam and approximately 10 thousand people are to be fed on the last day of the festival by collecting donations from the philanthropists. Elaborate arrangements are made by the Devasthanam for the convenience of the visiting pilgrims for darshan and worship of Goddess and for Annadanam during the festive days, Apart from this , there will be cultural programmes, religious discourses, Harikatha Kalakshepams and Veda Sabha during festive days. All precautionary measures will be taken for peaceful and successful conduction of the festival with the support of the District officials.
Road Map:
Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavari Temple Road Map |
Nitya Annadhanam Padhakam Scheme:
Nithya Annadhana Scheme was established a noble funding system to provide free meals in the Noon everyday to the devotees of Sri Ammavaru coming to visit this sacred place from all parts of the country.
Devotees can donate Rs. 1,116/- or more amount through DD / Cheque / M.O. drawn in favour of the Executive Officer, Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavari Devasthanam, Visakhapatnam or also through Savings Bank A/c No. 060810011050085, Andhra Bank, Visakhapatnam.
The principle amount paid by the devotees will not be spent. The amount donated by the them will be deposited in the bank and the interest received will be spent for distributing Annaprasadham on the day specified by the devotees on their name.
CATEGORIES OF DONOR
- Maharaja Poshak - Rs. 1 lakhs & above
- Raja Poshak - Rs. 50,000/- & above
- Poshak - Rs. 10,000/- & above
- Donors - Rs. 1,116/- & above
The Donations may please send to the following address or directly remit to the online SB A/c No. 31146385891 of State Bank of India , Visakhapatnam
Deputy Commissioner & Executive Officer
Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavari Devasthanam
Burujupeta, Visakhapatnam. A.P., INDIA
Ph:0891-2566515, 2568645, 2711725, Cell: 9491000651