Kanakadurga

Once upon a time river Krishna’s flow was obstructed by hills. So some parts in the area looked famine stricken and people could not grow anything in those fallow lands. People in the area prayed to Lord Shiva for good water.
Shiva, pleased with their prayers decided to remove the obstruction on the river Krishna. He made a big opening in the mountain. The Krishna was routed through this opening and made its water available to the people on the other side. Since the water gushed out of a tunnel the place came to be known as Bezwada. (‘Bejum’ meaning tunnel/hole)
During the Dwapara Yuga, the Pandavas and Kauravas began their battle. Krishna sent Arjuna to get the Pasupatastra and the place where Arjuna meditated for victory became known as Vijayawada. Sitting atop the Indrakeela mountain Arjuna did his penance. Shiva is said to have tested Arjuna by arriving there as a wild boar and fought with Arjuna after which he presented him with the weapon Pasupathastra.
This place is where Durga arrived as Kanakadura to kill Mahishasura according to the Puranas.
Mahishasura is said to have roamed these forests harassing the people upon which the people prayed to the Goddess to save them from the demon.
During this time there was a hermit by name Indrakeela. When the Goddess arrived in the mountains, he prayed that she reside on his head and save the people from the demon. The Goddess agreed and killed the demon. She later resided in the hills and is known as Kanakadurga. The unique feature of this Goddess is that her idol with eight hands has the look of a beautiful maiden during the day time and an old woman during the evenings. According to legend the goddess is said to have rained gold once and hence her name Kanakadurga. (“Kanaka meaning gold”)