Sree Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple

Significance of the temple

There are two temples constructed for Sree Bhadrakali. One is at Kollemcode and the other one at Venkanji. There are two deities who are considered as sisters –– elder sister Bhadra and the youger Rudhra. Both the sisters Bhadra and Rudhra are worshipped at the same temple. ‘Bharani’ is the birthday of Sree Bhadrakali. Every month Bharani day is celebrated in a grand manner. On the Bharani Day in the Meenam month (March or April) of every year ‘Thookkam’ Festival is celebrated. Lakhs of people from all over India participate in the function.
The Kumari Amman Temple is one of the reputed temples in India and the devotees of the Mother Goddess visit the temple especially during the festive occasions. For the wedded couples the Kumari Amman Temple is a golden experience.
There are numerous other temples that are located near the Kumari Amman Temple. They are the Lord Ganesha Temple, Lord Shiva Temple, Lord Krishna Temple and the Lord Vishnu Temple. The temples are dedicated to the respective Gods and Goddesses. For example the Lord Shiva Temple has been dedicated to the Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The Ganesha Temple has been dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The beautiful landscape at Kanyakumari caters to the taste of millions of people across the globe. They come to Kanyakumari to spend some brilliant time at the confluence of the seas. The temples in Kanyakumari reflect the Indian heritage and are a place to find maximum solace from the humdrum of daily existence.
The old festival known as the Kollemcode Thookkam Festival is held in the Temple of Sree Bhadrakali Devasom every year and is mostly visited by couples who are younger or older and visit the temples for the Lord and also pay homage to him. Thookkam Festival is the most celebrated one and is generally held in the Bharani Day, and the day generally falls on a Friday or a Thursday.
Kollemcode festival is like a feast for eyes with its treasure of green paddy fields, lotus ponds and a variety of trees which will take a visitor to the lap of the nature. The Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Devi Temple is a jewel to this natural province. Once praised as the beauty spot of Travancore, Kollemcode Temple now belongs to Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.
The Antiquity of Kollemcode temple wakes up with the "Omkara" chanted by Arabian Sea and the Thathwamasi messages emerging from the heart of the universe. Though Shree Bhadrakali Devi is believed to be appeared here as dual form of Shakti viz. Bhadra and Kali, the devotees get the blessings from the unified form of Mother Durga. These Goddess' reside in semi-circular "Mudis" (the artificial statue of Goddess) which are decorated with Snake Hood structures carved from jack tree wood.Every year there are offering of Pongal on the Pathamudayam Day of the Malayalam month ‘Medam’ – April. Thousands of devotees assemble from different parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Thye observe Pongala rituals in and around of the temple and Leksharchana is the most important part of the ‘Pongala Mahotsava’.
Kaliyoottu is conducted once in twelve years. According to legends Lord Siva created Bhadrakali to get rid of the atrocities of the giant Durikan. Sree Bhadrakali beheaded Darikan in the battle. The festival lasts four ten days. On the last day the ground battle takes place. Lakhs of people gather to witness the battle.
This temple is believed to have omni presence of Goddess and daily worship (Pooja) is being conducted here. Besides this, there is another "Mudippura" at Venkanji province where festivals are celebrated. The famous "Thookka Mahotsavam" is celebrated in "Meenabharani " which is the birth date of the Goddess and is celebrated at Venkanji Temple.