Kanaka Durga - the Goddess of Power, is the presiding deity of Vijayawada. The goddess also known as 'Vijaya' lends her name to the city. The Kanaka Durga temple is situated atop the Indrakeeladri Hill, overlooking the Krishna River and has many legends attached to it. The origin of this temple is not known, but it is believed that the idol of the deity Kanaka Durga is 'Swayambhu' or Self-manifested, hence is considered very powerful. Legend has it that Adi Shankaracharya installed the Sri Chakra here. Inscriptions of different dynasties found here make this place not only religiously important but also archaeologically significant. The enactment of several Sivalilas and Saktimahimas on and around the temple premises find mention in the scriptures. The popular festivals celebrated here include Sivaratri, Dasara and Vasantotsavam.

Nearby are the Vijayesvara temple and Malleshvaraswamy temple, said to have been installed by Arjuna and Yudhishtira, the Panch Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata Epic.