Sree Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple, Tamil Nadu

by Astro Ved Online Astrology Consultation

Temple History

Kollemcode Bhadrakali Temple is in Kollemcode, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. The temple is 47 km from Nagercoil.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, an incarnation of Mother Durga, who is believed to protect humanity from all the problems of Kali Yuga. Though Bhadrakali is believed to have appeared here as a dual form of Shakti - Bhadra and Kali - the devotees get blessings from the unified form of Mother Durga. These Goddesses reside in semi-circular "Mudis" which are decorated with snake hood structures that are carved from the wood of the jackfruit tree. Kollemcode is a rarity, as it has two temples for one deity in the same province. The "Moola Kshethram" or Parent Temple "Shree Vattavila Bhadrakali Mudippura" is not too far from Kollemcode province.

Kollemcode is almost 30 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, and roughly 65 kilometers from Kanyakumari district, on NH 47. It is a beautiful village with green paddy fields, lotus ponds, and many trees.

Spiritual significance

There are two temples for Bhadrakali here. One is the Sree Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple, Kollemcode, and the other is at Venkanji. Bhadrakali is a fierce form of Devi, the Great Goddess. She is also known as Kariam Kali Murti Devi in Tamil Nadu. Hindu mythological texts say that Goddess Kali or Mahamaya Kali was a Hindu deity who protects people from all kinds of evil. Kali was later assimilated into the Hindu pantheon as part of Shaiva mythology.

The presiding deities of this temple are Bhadra and Rudra, who are also sisters. Bhadra is the elder one, and Rudra, the younger sister. ‘Bhadra’, in Sanskrit, means ‘good’. The letter ‘Bha’ means Maya or delusion (in Devanagari), and the letter Dra means ‘superlative’ or ‘the greatest’. ‘Bhadra’ basically means ‘Mahamaya’. These goddesses reside in semi-circular mudis (artificial statue of goddess) which are decorated with snake hood structures carved from jacktree wood.

This popular temple has Goddess Bhadrakali as the presiding deity. Her idol is placed in the Northern direction or Vadakke Nada. Locally, the idol is called Thirumudi. Bhadrakali is said to be a resourceful Goddess who bestows abundant blessings on her followers. Kali is represented as a three-eyed goddess. Certain idols of her have four, twelve and eighteen arms. Kali Puja worship is associated with Tantrik rites and traditions. Other deities, too, are worshipped in this temple. Aarti and other rituals are conducted for Ganapati and Shiva. Devotees also perform special poojas for Nagaraja and Bhramarakshas.

Poojas are performed for the deities as well as the sub-deities. Devotees from all over India come here seeking Ma Kali’s blessings. All people, irrespective of caste, creed, and gender are welcome here. The temple is open from 5 a.m. to 12 noon, and, in the evening, from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. The main offerings include Bharani Pooja, Chuttuvilakku, Thulabharam, and Kunjoonu. Other important rites include Ganapati Homam, Thalappoli, Udayasthamaya Pooja, Pidippanam, and Pongala. Kuthiyottam, Archana, and Vidyarambham are also conducted, along with Kumkumabhishekam, a very sacred ritual.

Special events

The Meena Bharani festival in this temple is very renowned. It is held during the months of March and April, or the Malayalam month of Meenam. The Meena Bharani Thookam Mahotsav is held for almost ten days. The sacred offering of Thookam happens during the last day of the festival, which is dedicated to the Supreme Mother, Kollemkotamma. The offering by devotees, particularly young married couples, to Goddess Bhadrakali, is the highlight of this event. It is believed that the Goddess will grant their wishes and protect their children from harm. People make the offering for their children who are one year old or below. It is believed that the Goddess protects children from health problems while in the womb. On the first day, the Goddess is taken to Venkanji from Kollencode. She resides there until the festival ends. On the 4th day, devotees register their offerings. They give the child to the thookkakaran, who is hung by a hook at the end of the bow (villu) of a cart. There are two bows, each made of wood. Each carries two thookkakarans, and each thookkakaran carries a child in his hand. Each cart carries 4 children and people pull it around the temple. Devotees offer gifts and money to the thookkakaran. The Thookam festival is celebrated grandly, and during this occasion, the temple flag is hoisted and aarti is performed.

The Pongala festival is another major event, where women make offerings to the deity. It is very popular in Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram.

Apart from these festivals, people visit Kanyakumari for witnessing other events, too. One such event is the Mathamudyam, where Pongala offerings are made to the Goddess on the day of Pathamudayam during Medam Malayalam month.

Temple timings

The temple is open from 5 a.m. to 12 noon, and, in the evening, from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m.

By air

The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram.

By rail

The nearest railway station is at Kuzhithurai

By road

Lots of cabs as well as private and state transport buses are available.