Over eight lakh glass bangles adorn Goddess Kanaka Durga for ‘Gajula Alankaram’ in Vijayawada

VIJAYAWADA Indrakeeladri, the abode of Goddess Kanaka Durga in Vijayawada, came alive with ‘Gajula Alankaram’ (bangle decoration) of Goddess Kanaka Durga on Wednesday (November 11, 2026), on the auspicious occasion of ‘Kartika Shuddha Vidiya’, observed as ‘Bhagini Hasta Bhojanam’. Over eight lakh colourful glass bangles were used to adorn the presiding deity and decorate the premises of the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, including the sanctum sanctorum, corridors, ceilings and sub-shrines.

The bangles, in vibrant shades of green, red, yellow and blue, were intricately arranged into garlands and decorative patterns. Goddess Kanaka Durga adorned with glass bangles for Gajula Alankaram on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Over eight lakh bangles decorated the deity and the temple, double last year’s number. Photos: K.V.S. Giri The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) November 11, 2026 Temple Executive Officer V.K.

Seena Naik said all arrangements had been completed in accordance with temple traditions and customs. Inspecting the arrangements on the sixth floor of the Maha Mantapam, he said the temple had used over four lakh bangles last year, while their number had been doubled this year to decorate both the main deity and the temple premises. He said devotees and donors had contributed bangles in large quantities, with the temple administration making additional arrangements to meet the requirement.

Women devotees from different parts of the State thronged the temple to have darshan of the Goddess in the special alankaram. Following the rituals, the bangles worshipped in the presence of the deity were distributed to women devotees as prasadam. Scan, pay, collect: Kanaka Durga temple installs Andhra Pradesh’s first ‘laddu ATM’ Scan, pay, collect: Kanaka Durga temple installs Andhra Pradesh’s first ‘laddu ATM’ The pilot laddu ATM machine at the foot of Indrakeeladri takes UPI payments; the Endowments Commissioner warns devotees against fake puja tickets and touts ahead of Dasara Scan, pay, collect: Kanaka Durga temple installs Andhra Pradesh’s first ‘laddu ATM’ storyline 1 Women devotees from different parts of the State thronged the temple to have darshan of the Goddess in the special ‘alankaram’.

Following the rituals, the bangles worshipped in the presence of the deity were distributed to women devotees as ‘prasadam’. Temple officials monitored queue management, drinking water supply and prasadam distribution to facilitate the smooth movement of devotees. Goddess Kanaka Durga adorned with glass bangles for Gajula Alankaram on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Over eight lakh bangles decorated the deity and the temple, double last year’s number.

Photos: K.V.S. Giri The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) November 11, 2026