Vada Bhadra Kali Amman Temple (Nisumba Soodhani Amman
Temple), Thanjavur
Vada
Bhadra Kali Amman Temple (Nisumba Soodhani Amman Temple is located in Poomal
Rauther Koil street in Keezha Vaasal area in Tanjore city. It is believed
that the original temple (of course not the current structure) was built
by Vijayalaya Chola in the 9th century CE. He was the first medieval
Chola. It is also believed that all the Chola kings including the great emperor
Raja Raja Chola used to worship this powerful deity.
Nisumba
Soodhani is also called as Vada Bhadra Kali and Raavukala Kali. The temple
is very small. No other deity is found other than Kali Amman. The 1160
years old deity comes under Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
(HR&CE) administration and well maintained by Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.
The
temple was built by Vijayalaya Chola (848-891), once a feudatory of the
Pallavas. The temple has the sanctum sanctorum, ardhamandapa and the
mahamandapa (temporary tin sheet shed). Kali Amman is in the sitting posture
with two arms carrying Shula. She looks very ferocious and has a demon lying
under her feet. The gigantic image of the Goddess has her head slightly tilted
on her left side.
The
temple is 2 km away from Old Bus stand of Thanjavur and there are number city
buses and auto rickshaws available from here. This Temple is popularly known
among the local people as "Ragukaala Kali Temple". Special Pooja's
and Abishekam will be conducted on all Fridays in the month of Aadi and Thai.
Four Kaalam Poojas are conducted in this Temple daily.
Temple Timings: 07.00 am - 11.00 pm and 05.00 pm - 08.00 pm.
