History, Importance, Architecture, Timings, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Kumari Amman Temple, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India
Kumari Amman temple or Bhagavathi Amman temple or Kanyakumari Temple is one of the most sacred place in the world. This temple is considered to be one of the 52 Shakti Peethas temple where it is believed that the back spine area of Devi Sati fallen down here. This temple is dedicated to the Devi Kanya also known as Bhagavathi Amman which is the form of the Goddess Parvati as an adolescent child. The temple is located on shore of Kanyakumari, the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. The devotees also worship her as a Bhadri Kali Devi. This temple is believed to be more 3000 years old and as per famous beliefs, the Goddess removes the rigidity of our mind. Devotees actually feel the emotions in their mind when they pray to the goddess in devotion and contemplation. Swami Vivekananda had visited this Temple in December 1892 to seek the blessing from Goddess Durga – Goddess of Sanyasa, as guided by his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. History and importance of Kumari Amman temple is also mentioned in sacred text like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Yajurveda etc. It is believed that as back spine area of the Sati’s Corpse fell here which creates the presence of Kundalini Shakti in the region. The Goddess is worship here as the pure and virgin goddess Kanya Kumari. This temple is one of the 108 temple of Goddess Durga – known as Durga Alayas.
Kanya kumari temple is one of the four temple which was created by Parasurama – incarnation of Lord Vishnu and place idol made from blue stone had been installed here.
Though temple located on seashore, the water of temple well also known as Mool Ganga Teertham is sweet and during the fool moon day, devotee and tourist can view the sun set and moon rise at same time.
As per legends, the story behind the temple is that during those time the Demon Banasura had captured all the Devas and kept them in captivity. As per the boon he can be only killed by a virgin girl. By the prayers of the Devas, Goddess Parasakthi took the form of Kumari to kill the demon. Kumari annihilated the Demon with her Chakra Gadha. Later, Banasura apologized to the Goddess and prayed her to make relieve from his sins. Goddess forgive him and blessed the water of holy confluence. It is said that whoever takes a dip here will washes her/his sins of the lifetime.
The most attracting feature of the temple is the diamond nose ring on the Kanya Kumari Idol. It is said that this nose ring was obtained from the king Cobra. The nose ring shines is so bright that it can be visible from far away in night. Also the sailors see it as a lighthouse and they hit the ships on the rock. So usually the eastern doors of the temples are always closed except during some of the functions when deity is taken out for ceremonial bath. The Lord Ganesh temple is just near to this temple and it is said that before entering to the Dwar’s of Kumari Devi you should must seeks blessing from Lord Ganesh. The shores around the temple have around 25 Theerthams.
Along with the main shrine, other attraction is four pillar hall each of which give out sound of Veena. Pathal Ganga and Kaal Bhairava Shrine are other attraction of Kumari Amman Temple. Kaal Bhairava temple protect the Shakti peetha temple and here in Kanyakumari temple, Kaal Bhairava is known as Nimish and Shakti is Sarvani.
Chaitra Purnima, Navarathri, Vijaya Dasami, Vaisakha, Kalabham etc. are the main festival celebrated here in Kumari Amman Temple with true devotion towards the Virgin Goddess Kumari Amman. Puja and rituals in Kumari Amman Temple are carried out as per the Tanthrasamuchayam, same like the temples in Kerala. Even though the temple is now part of state of Tamil Nadu, the Kanyakumari Kumari Amman Temple is considered as a Kerala temple since it was once part of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.
How to reach Kumari Amman Temple, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India
Kanyakumari is very well connected with the cities. You can frequently see the state buses going to Kanyakumari from the major cities and even the small town. You can also hire a cab/taxi to reach the town. The nearest Railway Station is Kanyakumari Railway Station at a distance of 1 km. The nearest Air Connectivity is in Trivandrum International Airport at a distance of 67kms.
