Friday, September 15, 2017

Devi Kanyakumari Temple (Bhagavathy Amman Temple), Kanyakumari – The Temple

Devi Kanyakumari Temple (Bhagavathy Amman Temple), Kanyakumari – The Temple
The Bhagavathy Temple is located in Cape Kanya Kumari in Tamilnadu, at the southern tip of main land India, there by located on the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. She is also known by several other names, including Kanya Devi and Devi Kumari. She is also worshiped as Shree Bhadrakali by devotees. Devi Kanya Kumari is goddess Shree Bhagavathy in the form of an adolescent girl child. Devi is also known as Shri Baala Bhadra or Shri Baala. She is popularly known as "Bhagavathy" (Durga or Parvati) "Devi".





The entrance to the Kumari Amman Temple is through the northern gate, while the eastern gate always remains closed except on some festivals, when the deity is taken out for the ceremonial bath. The eastern door is opened also on new moon days in the months of Edavam, Karkkidakam (Capricorn and Cancer), during Navaratri and in the month of Vrischikam. The presiding image is sported in standing posture with a akshamala in her hands.





There is an image of lion in her pedestal indicating that she is the form of Durga. The deity is facing the east. The deity is also called as Devi Kanya Kumari / Kanya Devi / Devi Kumari / Kumari Amman / Shree Bhagavathy / Shree Baala Bhadra / Shree Baala. The name Kanyakumari stands for Kanya meaning Virgin and Kumari meaning Girl.





The nose ring of Devi Kanyakumari is set with rubies. They are so bright and that it could be seen even from the far at night. Also it is told that some ships sailing in the sea, mistaking the brightness of the rubies as the light from the Lighthouse, got wrecked, hitting against the rocks nearby. Due to this reason, the eastern side gate of the Kumari Amman Temple is kept closed. The idol made of blue stone, is believed to have installed by sage Parasurama.




There is a four pillar hall in the temple, each of which give out sounds of Veena (a string instrument), Miruthangam (a percussion instrument), flute and jalatharanga (porcelain instrument). The other attractions inside the temple are the Pathala Ganga Theertham, Kala Bhairava Shrine. Kala Bhairava Shrine is located at the entrance of second corridor. Kala Bhairava is a ferocious form of Lord Shiva who annihilates everything, i.e. Kala or time itself.





Each of the 51 Shakti Peeth has a Kala Bhairava shrine within the temple meant for the protection of the temple. The name of the Kala Bhairava in Kanyakumari temple is 'Nimish' and the Shakti is 'Sarvani' and in the Shakti Peetha of Suchindrum the Kala Bhairava is 'Sanhar' and the Shakti is 'Narayani'. These are two Shakti Peeth out of the 51 Shaktipeeth all over South Asia. There are also shrines to Vijaya Sundari and Balasundari, friends and playmates of the Goddess in her youthful form.





Navarathri Mandapam is another specialty where in devotees get a stage to display their artistic ability in music as a dedication to the goddess. Shri pada parai, the rock in the shape of the foot prints of Shri Devi. This is now famous as Vivekananda parai, where Vivekananda got enlightenment to dedicate his life as an active Sanyasi rather than the usual practice of being passive. Urchavar is Thyaga Soundary and Balasundari. Theertham is Papanasa Theertham.




The water Well inside the temple known as Moola Ganga Theertham from which water is being used for Goddess Kumari Amman Abishekam. Dhwajastambha (flag mast) is located after the Pathala Ganga Theertham. From here one can have a clear view of the Devi before going in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Indra Vinayaka Shrine is located in the inner corridor. There is also a small shrine dedicated to Thyaga Sundari.




Lord Ganesha, Surya and Ayyappa have separate shrines. The poojas in this temple are carried out according to the Tanthrasamuchayam like the temples in Kerala. Kanya Kumari temple is considered as a Kerala temple and was once part of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.