Goddess Kanaka Durga in Sri Lalita Tripura Sundari Devi alankaram atop Indrakeeladri during the Dasara festival.
The revered Kanaka Durga temple, perched on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada, is set to celebrate the Aswyuja Suddha Chaviti, the fourth day of the Dasara festival, by adorning the presiding deity with the Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi alankaram on October 5 (Sunday).
The temple’s Vedic Scholar highlights that this form of the Goddess symbolizes her extraordinary power and beauty, hailing from the divine realm of Manidweepa, a place enveloped in prosperity and spiritual energy.
According to ancient scriptures, the Goddess is known to dispel maya (illusion) from the lives of her devotees, guiding them toward the true essence of existence. She is revered for bestowing clarity, wisdom, and liberation from worldly distractions.
On this auspicious day, devotees will offer appalu, a traditional sweet dish, as a token of devotion. Prayers to Lalitha Tripura Sundari are believed to foster success and the fulfillment of desires. The spiritual resonance of this day is particularly potent for individuals striving to overcome obstacles and achieve their aspirations.
This manifestation of the Goddess represents beauty, grace, and the ultimate power over the three realms. The priests will adorn the deity as Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi, as established by Adi Sankara when he installed a Sri Chakra at the temple, transforming the fierce energy of the Goddess into peace and serenity. In this divine form, she is envisioned seated on Lord Siva, accompanied by Lakshmi Devi and Saraswati Devi, holding ‘Vinjamarams’ (fans) in their hands.
The depiction of the Goddess features her sitting on a lotus, radiating a golden hue, with petal-like eyes. She is portrayed with various symbolic objects, including flowers, a noose, a goad, and optionally sugarcane or a bow. Each of these items holds significant meaning, representing attachment, repulsion, the mind, and the five sense objects, respectively.
Lalitha Tripura Sundari is recognized as the second form of ‘Tripura Trayam,’ embodying the primordial Shakti and the essence of manifestation predating the deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Additionally, she symbolizes the five fundamental elements of the universe: vayu (air), jala (water), agni (fire), bhumi (earth), and akasa (space).
Published – October 06, 2024
