Saturday, January 8, 2022

Vanabadra Kaliamman Temple, Mettupalayam – Legends

Vanabadra Kaliamman Temple, Mettupalayam – Legends

Story of Aravalli Sisters:

As per legend, the place was called as Nellur Pattinam during Mahabharata era. Nellur Pattinam was ruled by seven sisters Aravalli, Sooravalli, Veeravalli etc. They were experts is witchcraft and black magic. They were very powerful and captured the rulers of the surrounding region using black magic. Lord Krishna requested Pandavas to wage a war against the tyrannical sisters and save innocent lives from them. Bheema agreed to wage the war against them and set out to Nellur Pattinam.

The Aravalli sisters heard this new through sage Narada. The sisters tried witchcraft against him but was overcame by Bheema. Finally, the sisters invited him for a competition and defeated him. Bheema was taken as a prisoner and was put in prison. However, Bheema successfully escaped, returned to Pandavas and informed about the tactics of Aravalli sisters. Aravalli sisters criticized the cowardly escape of Bheema.

On the advice of Lord Krishna, Pandavas deputed Allimuthu to conquer the sisters. Before going to battle, Allimuthu visited Vana Bhadra Kaliyamman Temple, offered his prayers and sought blessings of Kali to win over the sisters. The Goddess gave him a sword, sacred ash and wished him success. He fought a bitter war and won over the Aravalli Sisters. The Aravalli sisters decided to win him through treachery.

They begged him to pardon their mistakes and offered their daughter Palvarisai to Allimuthu for marriage. He readily accepted but informed them that he would return back to his place and marry her after getting the consent of Pandavas. He forgot the sacred ash given by the goddess and started back his journey along with Palvarisai. He felt thirsty and fell unconscious. Palvarisai cut a lime given by her mother and gave him the juice without knowing the treachery.

Allimuthu died after consuming the lime juice. Palvarisai was grief stricken and informed Pandavas. On hearing the news of his death, Pandavas set out to Nellur Pattinam to annihilate the sisters once for all. Meanwhile, Abhimanyu went to the heaven met Indra and with his help brought back the soul. He put his soul in a small locket and reached the place where the body of Allimuthu was kept. The soul merged with the body and Allimuthu got his life back.

The Pandavas sought the blessings of Vana Bhadra Kaliyamman in their war with Aravalli sisters. Six sisters were captured, lodged in prison and finally died. One of the sisters escaped, went to Kerala and became Goddess famously called as Kambhalathu Bhagawati Amman. Pandavas offered their prayers to goddess Kali and returned to their place. They renamed Palvarisai to  Valamma and got married to Allimuthu.

Bakasura:

As per legend, once, a demon named Bhagasura lived in a fort on the west side of Neelamalai. He was considered equal to Bheema and Duryodhana in strength and valour. He troubled the villagers for food as he eats lot. Once, he ordered the villagers that they should send him a cart full of foods every day. When he found the food brought to him was not sufficient, he would devour the man and bulls of the cart who brought the food.

When Pandavas visited the village, the villagers complained about the demon to the Pandavas. Bheema took the responsibility of carrying the foods to the demon the following day. He started his journey towards the fort carrying the foods, but he stopped the cart at a little distance before the fort. He started eating the foods meant for the demon. The demon got angry on seeing Bheema eating the foods meant for him.

A fight ensued between them. Bheema finally annihilated the demon. The demon realized his mistakes on his deathbed and sought forgiveness from Goddess Kali. He also requested Kali with a place in her temple as a security guard. The Goddess accepted and made Bakasura as security guard for her temple. Thus, huge statues of Bheema and Bakasura can be seen in the temple.

Vana Bhadra Kaliyamman:

As per legend, it is believed that Mother Shakti came to this forest (Vana) to perform penance on Lord Shiva to kill demon Mahishasura. As She performed penance in Vana (the forest), She came to be called as Vana Bhadra Kaliyamman.