Famous Temples in India

SHRI BHAGAVATHI AMMAN TEMPLE

Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India

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Goddess

Goddess Bhagavathy is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. Here Goddess is also known as Devi Kanya Kumari and is in the form of an adolescent girl child. 

God

Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Nimish.

Interesting Facts

  • Sati devi's back had fallen here and the temple is also one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37 °C during the day and 21 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (30 °C during day and 18 °C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

  • For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
  • For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
  • Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

  • Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
  • Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
  • Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name Distance Contact Number
Kanyakumari Bus Stand
1 KM 04652-246285
Railway station Kanyakumari
1.3 KM 139
Trivandrum International Airport
100 KM 0471-2702600

Architecture

This beautiful town where the temple is settled is a vision in itself as the Arabian Sea in the West, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the Indian Ocean in the South meet together here. The name ‘Kanyakumari’ stands for ‘Kanya’ meaning ‘Virgin’ and ‘Kumari’ meaning Girl. Sage Parashurama is said to have performed the consecration of the temple and the image of Devi Bhagavathy facing the east, made of blue stone, is believed to have been installed by him. The rites and rituals of the temple is organised and classified by following Sankaracharya’s treatise. As directed by his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, came here to seek Devi’s blessing in December 1892, as devi is the goddess of Sanyasa.

Nose ring of Devi Kanyakumari : She wears a sparkling nose jewel sheds lustrous radiance. The nose ring of Devi Kanyakumari is set with rubies. They are so bright and that it could be seen even from the far at night. Also it is told that some ships sailing in the sea, mistaking the brightness of the rubies as the light from the Lighthouse, got wrecked, hitting against the rocks nearby.

Religious Significance

Kanyakumari and its surroundings are believed to be part of the land which was created by Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Folktales and mythological stories speak about Kanyakumari. In mythology, it is full of conflicts between Devas and Asuras, and finally the Devas get victory. It is the conquest of good over evil. Banasura (Grandson of Mahabahali), the demon king, propitiated Lord Brahma. When Banasura asked for a boon of immortality, Brahma expressed his inability to grant such a boon, but gave an option to choose his own manner of death. Banasura wished that if at all he had to die, let his death be at the hands of a virgin. Brahma granted his boon. Banasura, with this boon, started to harass the Devas and torturing the saints and rishis. Unable to bear this agony, they appealed to Mother Earth who in turn sought the help of Her consort Lord Vishnu, who is the protector of the Universe. On the Lord’s command, the Devas propitiated Parasakthi who alone was capable of destroying Banasura. The Devas performed a Yagna which was so powerful that the Goddess was much pleased. She promised to annihilate Banasura. As ordained, Parasakthi in her reincarnation came down to earth as Devi Kumari. It is very common mythological fact that whichever reincarnation she took, she would do penance to rejoin her husband Lord Shiva through marriage. Hence Kumari did penance so that she would be married to Lord Shiva. Shiva, pleased and happy, expressed his willingness to marry her. This was made known to Kumari. Narada who undertook this task arranged a proper time for marriage before dawn and insisted that the auspicious time should not be missed. Elaborate arrangements were made at Kumari’s place to celebrate the marriage.

The Lord Shiva was staying at Suchindrum. The bridegroom’s party started from Suchindrum well in advance with pomp and pageantry. Meanwhile, Narada was prompted by the Devas to do something to stop the marriage, because once the marriage was over, Kumari could not be a virgin and Banasura could not be killed as he could be killed only by a virgin. Narada hit upon a plan, and assumed the form of a cock and waited at the place called Vazhukkamparai. When the marriage party reached at that place on their way to Kanyakumari, Narada crowed aloud. On hearing this by Lord Shiva and his party, thought that it was dawn and the auspicious hour had passed. Hence they returned to Suchindrum, greatly disappointed. Meanwhile, Devi Kanyakumari, dressed for the marriage occasion in bridal glory was waiting for the arrival of Lord Shiva and his marriage party. As the bridegroom’s party didn’t turn up, the disappointed Bride Kumari vowed to remain a virgin. Also she scattered all the food items kept for marriage, which turned into sand and pebbles resembling rice and other items. The multi coloured sand found in the Kanyakumari sea shore is attributed to this incident. Banasura, hearing about the beauty of Kumari, and without realizing who she was, wanted to marry her. Kumari bluntly declined his proposal. Banasura decided to win her by force. A fierce battle ensued at Mahadhanapuram (a place 4 km from Kanyakumari) and in the end, the Goddess Kanyakumari used her Chakrayudha (Discus weapon) and slain Banasura. All the Devas were watching this and were delighted and sang hymns in praise of Devi Kanyakumari. Then Devi resumed her penance and remained a virgin and continues to perform austerities to this day with the hopes that he will one day unite with her.

History

The worship of Devi Kanya Kumari dates back to the Vedic times. She has been mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Sangam works Manimekalai, Puranaanooru and Narayaṇa (Mahanarayana) Upanishad, a Vaishnava upanishad in the Taittiriya Samhita of Krishna Yajur Veda. The temple is said to be over 3000 years old. It is in this location he decided to embark on the Missionary Work to a higher level of action rather than being passive like the usual Sanyasis’. Swami Brahmananda (1863–1922) and Swami Nirmalananda (1863–1938), another two disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Parama hamsa also worshiped Devi Kanyakumari. In fact, Swami Nirmalananda brought several small girls from many parts of Kerala to worship Bahagavathy in 1935-36 period. To the surprise of all, seven girls later became the members of the first batch of Nuns of the “Sarada Ashrama”, a Hindu Nunnery started later in 1948 in Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala by Swami Vishadananda. The author of ‘Periplus of the Erythraean Sea’ (60-80 A.D.) has written about the prevalence of the propitiation of the deity Kanyakumari in the extreme southern part of India.

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 04:30 AM - 12:30 PM 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Pooja

Abhishegam
All Days
05:00
Deeparathanai
All Days
06:00
Abhishegam
All Days
10:00
Deeparathanai
All Days
11:30
Sayaratchai Deeparathanai
All Days
18:30
Sribali
All Days
20:15
Yeganda Deeparathanai
All Days
20:15

Tours










Airports

Airport Name Distance
Shamshabad 40 KM
Lorem Ipsum 12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name Distance
Secunderabad 10 KM
Nampally 12 KM
Begumpet 6 KM
Lingampally 20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name Distance
MGBS 35 KM
CBS 28 KM
kukatpally 20 KM
Lingampally 30 KM
Uppal 35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Private Transport 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757

Local Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Local Transport 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757

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Nearest Attractions

Heritage Monuments VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL
  Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India

Epitome of unity as the whole nation wished

Distance:1 KM
Beach KANYAKUMARI BEACH
  Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India

Confluence of 3 ocean bodies and place of religious intrest

Distance:1.3 KM
Fort VATTAKOTTAI FORT
  Vattakkottai, Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India

Built in 18th century during the reign of Travancore kingdom

Distance:6.8 KM
Dam PERUNCHANI DAM
  Veerapuli R.F., Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India

Perunchani Dam is an irrigation dam

Distance:51.3 KM
Wildlife NEYYAR WLS
  Kallikkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Sanctuary was established in the year 1977

Distance:83.7 KM
Museum KERALAM MUSEUM OF HISTORY amp HERITAGE
  Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Famous for it's myths and legends that once held court here

Distance:89.7 KM

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SHRI BHAGAVATHI AMMAN TEMPLE

Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India

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