The abode of Kanaka Durga, goddess of power, riches and benevolence, is the presiding deity of the city. The temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill. The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as Swayambhu or self-manifested, hence is considered very powerful. It is said that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here.

According to a legend, the now verdant Vijayawada was once a rocky region strewn with hillocks that were obstructing the flow of river Krishna. The land was thus rendered unfit for habitation or cultivation. Invocation to Lord Siva led to His directing the hills to give way to river Krishna. And lo! the river started flowing unimpeded with all its might, through the tunnels or "Bejjam" bored into the hills by Lord Siva. That is how the place got its name Bezawada.

One of the many mythologies associated with this place is that Arjuna prayed to Lord Siva on top of Indrakeela hill to win His blessings and the city derived its name "Vijayawada" after this victory. Yet another popular legend is about the triumph of Goddess Kanakadurga over the demon king Mahishasura. It is said that once upon a time, the growing menace of demons became unendurable for the natives living in this region. Sage Indrakila, took to severe penance and when the Godess appeared, the sage begged Her to reside on his head and keep vigil on the wicked demons. As per his wishes, after killing the demons, goddess Durga made Indrakila Her permanent abode. Later She also slayed the demon king Mahishasura freeing the people of Vijayawada from the evil clutches of the demon.

Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakiladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different deities, prominent among them being Kali, Siva and Krishna.

PLACES OF INTEREST

BHAVANI ISLAND: The virgin Bhavani Island situated upstrea of River Krishna close to Prakasam Barrage is a good picnic spot for holiday-lovers.

MARY'S TEMPLE: Situated on a hillock on the side of the town, Mary's tepmle attracts large nuber of devotees. Annually, a fair is held in month of february in which thousands of people participate.

GANDHI STUPA: The hill near the railway station previously called Orr Hill was renaed Gandhi Hill. A Gandhi Stupa, the first to be constructed in India was unveiled here on 6th October 1968 in meory of Gandhiji. The grand meorial coloumn was desgined by the late Sri Nandalal Bose is 52 feet high.

PRAKASAM BARRAGE: The idea of constructing a barrage across Krishna dates back to 1798. But it took some shape in the hands of captain Buckle and was revised in 1839 and 1841 by captain Best and captain Lake. After the endorsmeent of Major Cotton, it was approved by the board of Directors of East India Company on 5th January 1850. The barrage was started in 1852 and completed in 1855. Later the State Government constructed a new regulator cum road bridge which was named after Sri Tanguturi Prakasam, the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Completed in 1957 it helps irrigating over 12 lakhs of acres. It provides a panaromic site of the river.

HAZARATH BAL MOSQUE: Here the holy relic of prophet Mohamed is kept. The holy relic is displayed once a year.

MOGALRAJA PURAM: About 8k from Vijayawada, out of the 3 cave temples constructed here in the 5th century only one is still in goods condition with the idols of Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka and others. The "Ardhanareeswara" Murthy found in Mogalrajapura is reputed to be the only one of its kind in South India.

VICTORIA JUBILEE REGIONAL MUSEUMS AND RAJIV GANDHI PARK: The Museum of the Archaeological Departent situated on Bandar Road contains beautiful sculptures and attractive paintings worth seeing. "Buddha" Alluru inscriptions 1st and 2nd centuries and Mahishasura Mardhani are some of the important exhibits here. The Rajiv Gandhi Park is a beautiful picnic spot, located near the bus stand.