Goddess Kanaka Durga adorned with vegetables, fruits as Sakambari Utsavams begin in Vijayawada
The annual Sakambari Utsavams festival has commenced at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam in Vijayawada. The deity is adorned with vegetables and fruits to symbolize nature's abundance and pray for good harvests.
Why it matters
This cultural event highlights the intersection of religious tradition and agricultural significance in regional Indian society.
The Sakambari Utsavams began with religious fervour at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Monday (July 27, 2026). The temple hill wore a verdant look as it was decorated to reflect the Goddess’s harita (green) form, symbolising nature’s abundance.
The festival is a special occasion for transforming the presiding deity goddess Kanaka Durga into Sakambari Devi with fruit, vegetables, green leaves and flowers.
The Devadthanam has been organising the festival since 2007 to propitiate the presiding deity for good rains, bountiful harvests, and copious yields of vegetables, and to ensure that there is no dearth of irrigation water.
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