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.
