DEVIKANYAKUMARI TEMPLE- KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT- TAMILNADU-COMPILED Dear friends,
Today my posting is about Devi Kanyakumari temple in theKanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Before linguistic formation of states,Kanyakumari was part of Trivandrum District of Kerala. It is one of the Sakthi peetamswhere Devi Sati’s elbow and back born fell. If a person has forgottenthe offerings done to any any God in any temple and not able to recollect,it is said worshipping and making the offerings in Kanyakumari temple would suffice it. Sage Parasurama has consecrated the deity in this temple. Thegoddess is inextricably tied to the eponymous town of Kanyakumari, situated atthe southernmost tip of Tamil Nadu. It is in the confluence of Indianocean, Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal . The number of times I visited thetemple cannot be counted and told, while I was selectiongrade Junior Engineer at Nagerkovilduring 1976’s to 1978’s, in charge of Kanyakumari telephone exchange. Hope a divine reading Gopalakrishnan 7-5-2025. Introduction Kanyakumari district is known for its famous Bhagavathi AmmanTemple, also known as the Kumari Amman Temple. This temple is dedicated to the virgin goddess Parvatiand is a significant pilgrimage site. Key features andsignificance of the Bhagavathi AmmanTemple: Dedicated to Goddess Devi Kanyakumari: The temple isdedicated to the goddess Kanyakumari, a form of Parvati, also known as theVirgin Goddess. One of the 108 Shakti Peethas: It is considered one ofthe 108 Shakti Peethas, sacred sites associated with the goddess Sati. Historical Significance: The temple's history dates back over3,000 years. Location: Situated on the coast, facing the Indian Ocean, itoffers a unique and beautiful setting. "Kanyakumari" Name Origin: The town's name,Kanyakumari, is derived from the goddess Kanniyakumari Amman, the temple'spresiding deity. Devotees and Tourists: The temple attracts a large number ofdevotees and tourists every year. Legend The most prominent temple, the Kumari Amman, is dedicated tothe goddess Parvathi as a virgin. The temple situated at the edge of the oceanfor Goddess Kanniyakumari has the legendary account that once Banusura, the demon king got supremacy overDevas and meted out cruel punishment to them. The Devas performed a Yagna pleading to annihilate the evils.Goddess Parasakthi came toKumari in the form of a virgin girl and began her penance. Meanwhile Lord Shiva fell in love with her and arrangementsfor the marriage were made in the midnight a particular day. Now the Devine sage Narada realised that their marriage would destroy the chances of annihilatingBanusura because he could be killed only by a virgin. When Lord Shivawas on his way to Kanniyakumari from Suchindrum atValukkamparai 5 kms south of Suchindram, Sage Narada assumed the form of acock and crowed falsely heralding the break of dawn. Thinking that theauspicious time for the marriage was past, Lord Shiva returned disappointed. The Goddess too decided toremain virgin after that. Then, when Banusuraattempted to win the Goddess by force, she killed him with her Chakragudha, andrelieved the suffering s of Devas. Then she resumed her penance and remained virgin. The Vaishnava Saint Vadiraja Tirtha, in his Tirtha Prabhanda,describes Kanya Kumari asLakshmi, who descended upon the earth to slay Banasura. Banasura Legend Banasura, a demon by birth, was the ruler of the land ofKanyakumari. He was a very powerful king. He practiced tapasya and obtained a boon from Brahma that hisdeath could only be caused by an adolescent girl. With this powerful boon, he became fearless and wreaked havocon the entire world. He went on to conquer and oust Indra from his throne. He banished all thedevas from their abode. The devas, who were the personification of the basicnatural elements, Agni (fire), Varuna (water), Vayu (air) became uncoordinated,and havoc spread in the universe, because Indra (ether) was not able toadminister and coordinate the Pancha Bhoota It was believed that only Kumari would be able to restore order. So Bhagavatimanifested herself in the southern tip of the subcontinent as Kumari, to killBanasura and restore the balance of nature. As an adolescent girl, shehad immense devotion towards the deity Shiva. Shiva decided to marry her. All arrangements weremade for the wedding. Shiva started the journey from Shuchindram. The weddingmuhurtam, or auspicious time, was during the Brahma muhurtam, which waspre-morning. The sage Narada, observing that only a virgin goddess would beable to slay Banasura, caused a rooster to crow, indicating that the auspicioustime for the wedding had passed. Thus, he was able to interrupt Shiva'smarriage to Kanya Kumari. Kumari waited for Shiva, and finally, she assumed that shehad been snubbed. With unbearable insult, pain, grief,and anger, she destroyed everything she saw. She threw away all the food andbroke her bangles. The food particles she scattered around aresaid to be the source of the colourful sands of Kanyakumari. When she finally gained her composure, she undertookcontinuous penance. Ages later, Banasuratried to lure and approach Kumari, without realising who she was. The infuriated Kumari slaughteredBanasura at once. Moments before his death, Banasura realised that the onebefore him was Adi Parashakti, the Goddess herself. He prayed her to absolvehim of his sins. It is said that Kumari forgave Banasura in his final moments and sanctified the sacredwaters, allowing for the forgiveness of sins for those who bathe in them. History Kanyakumari was under the rule of the Chera Dynasty followedby the rulers and kings of Travancore under the overall suzerainty of theBritish until 1947, when India became independent. Travancore joined theindependent India in 1947. Later in the linguistic state partition, Kanyakumaribecame part of Tamil Nadu. Architecture The Kumari Amman Temple is a breathtaking architecturalmasterpiece that has stood for over three thousand years! This historic temple,once a part of the illustrious Travancore kingdom, is enclosed by formidablestone walls. As you enter through the northern gate, you'll be captivated bythe serene atmosphere and rich history that surrounds you. Step inside the temple complex to find shrines dedicated toGoddess Balasundari and Goddess Vijaya Sundari, along with revered deities suchas Lord Surya Deva, LordGanesh, and Lord Ayyappa Swamy. The temple is also oneof the most beautiful temples in the world – thanks to the exquisitearchitectural side and the tranquil sea-side setting it boasts of. Main deity-Kanyakumari Amman After killing Banasura, Kumari assumed her original form ofParvati, and reunited with her husband, Shiva. Kumari maintained her divine presence in the place, in theBhagavati Kumari Amman Temple. The deity is sported in standing posture with an Akshamala inher hands. There is an image of a lion in her pedestal indicating that she isthe form of Adi Parashakti. There is a four-pillar hall in the temple, each ofwhich gives out sounds of Veena (a string instrument), Mridangam (a percussioninstrument), flute and Jalatarang (porcelain instrument). For abhishekam of the Goddess the sacred water is drawn fromthe revered Moola Ganga Theertham well within the temple. My note- After retirement, in 2007,when I visited the temple with my wife to make offerings, I had the occasion towitness the abhishekam. Worship For the purpose of rites and rituals in the temple of Kumari is imagined as(Sankalpam) as Bālambika, the child goddess. The goddess is considered as Katyayani, one of the Navadurgashere. She is also considered as Bhadrakali by the devotees while worshippingher. The rites and rituals of the temple are organized and classified accordingto Sankaracharya'streatise. Festivals Chitra Pournima Festival: on the Full moon day in May Navaratri festival: 9 day festival in(September–October). The music artists get an opportunity to offer theirartistic skill to the goddess by performing in the Navarathri Mandapam. Vaisakha festival: 10-day festival in May–Juneculminating by a Thoni Ezhunellathu in May–June. During this festival Devi willbe taken in procession both in the morning and evening, during Aaraatu theeastern door is opened. On the ninth day, the Thoni Ezhunellathu takes place.Devi will be taken round the water on the western part in a boat. Kalabham festival: The idol is smeared in Sandal pastein the last Friday of the month of Karkidaka or Aadi, in July–August. Mention in epics Devi Kanya Kumari has been mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata, and theSangam works Manimekalai, Purananuru and the Nārāyaṇa (Mahānārāyaṇa) Upanishad,a Vaishnava Upanishad in the Taittiriya Samhita of Krishna Yajur Veda. Sakthipeetam The Bhagavati Kumari Amman Temple is one of the 52Shakta pithas. It isbelieved that the back spine area of Sati's corpse fell here creating thepresence of Kundalini Shakti in the region. Legend attributes SageParashurama for performing the consecration of the temple. The goddess is said to removerigidity of the mind; devotees usually feel the tears in their eyes or eveninside their mind when they pray to the goddess in devotion and contemplation. Devi Kanya Kumari is considered as a manifestation of theHindu goddess Mahadeviin the form of an adolescent girl. She is variously described by varioustraditions of Hinduism to eitherbe a form of Parvati or Lakshmi. She is also worshipped as anincarnation of the goddess Bhadrakali by Shaktas, and is known by several namessuch as Shrī Bāla Bhadra, Shrī Bāla, Kanya Devi, and Devi Kumari. Gayathri mantra The Gayatri mantra of Devi Kanyakumari is: "kātyayanāyavidmahe kanyakumāri dhīmahi tanno durgiḥ prachodayāt". Sub shrines There are also shrines to Vijayasundari and Balasundari, friends andplaymates of the Goddess in her youthful form. Offerings Red Sarees and Ghee wick lamps are offered to the goddess bydevotees. Reciting Lalita Sahasranama while approaching and circumambulatingthe temple is considered auspicious. Deeksha and Sanyasa Devi Kanya Kumari is the goddess of virginity and penance. It is a practice that people chooseto receive the Diksha of Sanyasa from here in olden times. My note- in the Malayalam film "Sahasram" (2008), the protagonist, played by Dileep, takes sanyasa at Kanyakumari. The film's plot revolves around thischaracter's spiritual journey and his eventual renunciation of worldly life. Other attractions The other attractions inside the temple are the Pathala Ganga Tirtha, Kalabhairava Shrine. Kalabhairava is aferocious form of Shiva who annihilates kala, or time itself. Each of the 51 Shakta pitha has a Kalabhairava shrinewithin the temple meant for the protection of the temple. The name of the Kalabhairava in Kanyakumaritemple is 'Nimish' and the Shakti is 'Sarvani' . Navarathri Mandapam Navarathri Mandapam is a hall where devotees can displaytheir artistic ability in music as a dedication to the goddess, Vivekanda rock Shri Pāda Pāra is a rockin the shape of Kumari's feet. This is now famous as Vivekananda rock, where SwamiVivekananda got enlightenment to dedicate his life as an active Sanyasi ratherthan the usual practice of being passive. Temple and Kaliyuga: The temple was built by Lord Parasurama, and it's believedthat the goddess will remain on earth until the end of Kaliyuga, according to astory told by the Government of Tamil Nadu. What is the history ofthe nose ring in Kanyakumari Amman? The Kanyakumari Amman temple features a large diamond nose ring on theidol of the goddess, which is said to be visible even from the sea. A legendassociated with the ring tells of a mariner who mistook its reflection for a lighthouse, leadingto a ship grounding. To prevent such incidents, the temple's eastern door ispermanently closed and only opened on special occasions My note- I understandordinary nose stud is adorned now and original nose stud is kept safe Temple Eastern door isopened only on certain days The shrine is accessedthrough the Western door. The eastern door is opened only on certain days of ayear, as on the new moon days in the months of Thai, Aadi(Karkidaka) July, during Navaratri and in the month of Kaartikai. Vivekananda rockmemorial One of the mostprominent nearby sites is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, just a short vessel ride from the mainland. This iconic monument,perched on a rocky island, honours Swami Vivekananda's legacy and offersstunning views of the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, andArabian Sea. Another notable destination is the Thiruvalluvar Statue, situatednear the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. This imposing 133-foot statue commemoratesthe revered Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Shipping corporation of India through it’s vessels (Neitherboat or ship) makes frequent ferrying on dates and timings WHEN THE SEA IS NOT ROUGH. Timings Timings from 6 AM to 11 AM & 4.PM to 8.15 PM. Administration The temple is maintained and administered by the HinduReligious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu The contact telephone number of Devesthanam office,Bagavathiamman Temple is 04652-246223. How to reach thetemple Thiruvananthapuram International Airport(TRV),Thiruvananthapuram. Then by taxi/bus/train to Kanyakumari. Nearest Railway Station : Kanniyakumari Railway Station (CAPE) My note- While the rail link was made from Trivandrum, Iwas in charge of shifting the telecom lines suitably so that there is nohindrance to rail traffic. Road Plenty of buses plybetween Nagerkovil and Kanyakumari.From Trivandrum also occasional bus service operate fromTamilnadu Bus corporation and Kerala state road transport corporation. Perhaps it must be between Nagerkovil and Trivandrummaximum inter state bus service operates in India. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/386966920.1584063.1746622657972%40mail.yahoo.com.
