Information of Shri Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple (Shri Bhadrakali Amman Temple), Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Sree Bhadrakali Temple (or Shri Bhadrakali Amman Temple) is situated in the small panchayat town of Kollemcode in the Kanyakumari district in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple can be found to be encircled with lush green scenic beauty of paddy fields and coconut trees on all the sides.

Shri Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple Religious Significance

The ruling deity of the temple is Bhadrakali who is regarded to be one of the forms of Goddess Durga. The other deities of the temple are Ganapathy, Bhramarakshasu, Shiva and Nagaraja. The temple is supposed to be quite a significant temple of South India as it is believed to bestow its devotees with the blessings of Bhadrakali. Bhadrakali is regarded to be a resourceful goddess in terms of endowing blessings. The temple is usually visited by the newly wedded couples in the festive seasons in order to seek the blessings of the Mother Goddess. The regular worships of the main deities are customarily carried out by the black smith priests and the worship of the other deities are performed by Brahmin priests. The Devi or the Goddess is known to look after her devotees similar to the way a mother looks after her children. Therefore, thousands of devotees flock to this temple each day for praying to the Goddess irrespective of creed, race and caste. The main and significant form of offerings in the temple include Bharani pooja, Thulabharam, Chuttuvilakku, Thalpoli, Pidippanam, Vidyarambham, Thokkam, Ganapathy Homan, Udayasthamaya pooja, Kunjoonu, Pongala, Kuthiyottam, Kumkumabhishekam and Arachana. The temple actually has two deities who are also sisters and they are Bhadra and Rudra. Bhadra is supposed to be the eldest of the two sisters and are adored in the same temple. The occasion of Bharani is considered to be the birthday of Goddess Bhadrakali and this particular day is celebrated grandly every month.

Shri Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple Architectural Significance

The Sri Bhadrakali Devaswom temple has a traditional form of architecture. The temple is supposed to be governed by the rule pertaining to Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Devasom. The Devaswom had completed all the work along with the needed alterations of the temple by the year 2014.

Festivals at Shri Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple (Shri Bhadrakali Amman Temple)

The festival of Bharani which is conducted in the Malayalam Medam month that is March to April is considered to be to be one of the most significant festivals of the temple. The festival of Thookkam is rejoiced in Venkaji Mudippura as the deities are preserved here. The festival of Thookkam is basically a form of offering which is believed to be especially favoured by the Goddess and is therefore, quite popular in between the devotees of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This festival carries on for fourteen days and is believed to be a feast for one's eyes owing to its grandeur. One of the imperative aspects of this mentioned festival is the act of raising the Temple Flag which is witnessed by thousands of devotees. The occasion of Pongala which is considered to be a special custom of the temple is also celebrated on Pathamudayam Day in the month of April. Leksharchana is quite a significant part of this occasion. Another festival called Kaliyoottu is organized in every twelve years. The legends state that Bhadrakali was created by Lord Shiva so as to bring an end to the acts of violence by Durikan, the giant and the Goddess is known to have beheaded the giant in a battle. Similarly, on the last day of the festival, a battle takes place on the ground in order to mark that particular day.