I PAD September 2019 1

DESTINATION
CITIES
5 MUST-DOS NEAR
VIJAYAWADA
THE BUSINESS CAPITAL OF ANDHRA PRADESH, VIJAYAWADA ALSO ABOUNDS WITH MYTHOLOGICAL AND
HISTORICAL LEGACIES. HERE IS A GLIMPSE OF THE PLACES OF INTEREST IN (AND AROUND) VIJAYAWADA.
BY MANJULIKA PRAMOD
caves and intriguing sculptures inside.
The area has many small caves but this
four-storied one sits high on everyone’s
list. While these monolithic caves leave us
spell-bound with India’s rock cut
architectural and craftsmanship feats,
some of its giant carvings of saints and
mythological animal fill you with awe.
You may wonder, why were the pillared
structures on the ground floor left
unfinished? What was this structure
supposed to be? The remarkable influence
of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism
makes the trip to the caves all the more
PRAY AT THE KANAKA DURGA
TEMPLE
This temple is considered extremely
sacred and powerful. Perched on the
Indrakeeladri hill, Kanaka Durga is the
most loved and revered deity of the city. It
is believed that one of her devotees took
the form of a hill and requested her to stay
here as a Swayambhu (or self-manifested
image) in Triteeya Kalpa. The legends say
that it was here that the Goddess trampled
Mahishasura and put an end to the
growing menace of the demon. Soon after,
Lord Shiva chose his abode on the
adjacent hillock and came to be worshiped
as Malleswara Swamy. The
Shaktipeetham, 4-foot-high icon of the
deity, with her eight arms, decked with
ornaments and flowers, defines the
epitome of beauty, grace and strength.
The architecture of the temple is a perfect
example of Dravidian style of
architecture. With inscriptions dated 9th
to 16th century, the legacies of the temple
find a mention in our scriptures too. The
nine-day festival of Navaratri and
especially the last day, Vijaya Dasami, is
celebrated with great enthusiasm and the
temple witnesses a massive footfall during
that time of the year. Whenever you are in
the city, you must visit Kanaka Durga
temple and offer your prayers. The
evenings are best here. You may hike up
the hill or take a lift to the main temple.
There are paid and free queues, both.
Though the paid queues help you with
easy and closer access to the idol, many
prefer the free one.
EXPLORE THE HISTORIC
UNDAVALLI CAVES
Not far from the main city, a small hamlet
called Undavalli tells its own tales. It
garners attention for its feisty rock cut
thrilling. Some say the structure was
supposed to be a resting place of Buddhist
monks (monastery), others believe it to be
a shrine that could not be completed, and
there are theories which say that it
resembles an abode for the
Thirthankaras. As you explore these
time-honored caves from one level to
another through make-shift stairs, you
are left awestruck at the sight of the
marvelous carvings of Lord Vishnu, Lord
Ganesha, the trinity Gods and many
indecipherable murals. The front façade is
absolutely impressive and the top floor
offers beautiful views of Krishna River
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SEPTEMBER 2019