Thirukodikaval Valli Mahakali (Dakshina Kali) Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Thirukodikaval, Kumbakonam Circle,

Thanjavur District,

Tamilnadu– 609802.

Amman

Valli Mahakali (Dakshina Kali)

Introduction

Thirukodikaval Valli Mahakali (Dakshina Kali) Temple is an Amman Temple, Located in the Thirukkodikaval, Kumbakkonam circle, Thanjavur district, Tamlinadu. Dakshina Kali graces the Tirukodeeswara Swamy Temple at a place called Thirukodikaval near Kumbakonam. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. This is the place where Yama is afraid. Cauvery river, equal to Ganges, flows here as ‘Uttra Vahini’. The Puranas say that it was here that Lalita was blessed with Sakasranama, Shaniswarar was blessed in the form of Balarupi, and three thousand crores of magical devas attained eternal status. Besides, Thirukodikaval is a place worshiped by Agathiya and Durvasa.

Puranic Significance

She lived in eight places as an Ashtakali. Spiritual texts say that ‘Dakshina Kali’ is the foremost among them. Dakshina Kali with the name ‘Valli Mahakali’ graces the northern side of Koteswarar temple in this wonderful place. “Valli” means a warrior’s headgear worn by a brave warrior who fights without showing his back on the battlefield. This Goddess Kali is called ‘Valli Mahakali’! Local devotees say that although this goddess is known as ‘Jwalakesa Ashtabhuja Utgudikasana Samhara Kali’, she is benevolent to the devotees like a mother.

She is portrayed as Mangala Rubini with a very calm face, carrying weapons like sword, bell, shield, and shoolam in her hands. Asura is the embodiment of arrogance. Mother destroys the evil of arrogance and gives enlightenment. Then she destroyed the demonic power on the banks of a lake. It is still referred to as ‘Bootakulam’.

‘Dakshina’ has many meanings. Dakshin means south. Dakshinakali is the first Kali to come from the south. who makes Yama belonging to the southern direction to flow from that direction hence the name. ‘Dakshina’ also means mighty. This name came about because she was good at giving blessings.

Beliefs

If you come here on Tuesdays and Fridays and worship, you will get the desired boons; Hope that all sufferings will go away. By going to this place and worshiping Kali who has all wisdom, energy, power, personality, motherhood and love, our life will improve.

Special Features

This is the Kshetra where Yama was absorbed in the idle meditation of Ishvara. Therefore, spiritual leaders say that if you come here and worship, you will get rid of the fear of death. Lord Shiva has a special charm here. So it is believed that doshas caused by navagrahas and ashtatik balakas are also removed by worshiping here.

Also, deities such as Iyanar, Muniyapar, Maduraiveeran are also present in the town in the aspect of standing around the moolavar of this sthalam. A special feature is that Tripurasundari Amma, who is standing on the left side of Thirukkodikaval Lord Koteswarar, and this Dakshina Kali are facing each other. Therefore, this is a sacred temple where charity and remembrance are combined.