Kollemcode Bhadrakali Temple, Kanyakumari

Address

Kollemcode Bhadrakali Temple, Kanyakumari

Kollemcode, Kanyakumari District,

Tamil Nadu 629160

Amman

Bhadrakali

Introduction

Location:

• The Kollemcode Bhadrakali Temple is situated in Kollemcode Village, located in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, near the Kerala border.
• The village lies on the seashore in the Vilavancode Taluk of southern Travancore, making it a picturesque location.

Puranic Significance:

• Travancore was once known by various names like Sreevazhumkode, Vanchibhoomi, and Venadu Dharmarajyam, ruled by the Chola Kings and the Padmanabha Kulasekhara dynasty.
• The Kollemcode Bhadrakali Temple is considered a treasure of the region, with historical roots going back to 625 A.D..
• The seashore, stretching from Poovar (in Trivandrum) to Thengapattanam (in Kanyakumari), was once called Kalinga Rajapuram.
  • It is believed that the survivors of the Kalinga War took refuge here and worshipped Kali as their deity.
  • After a devastating flood, the people and the place were wiped out, but the name Kalinga Rajapuram persisted.
  • The Goddess worshipped by these people is said to be the same Kali now venerated as Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Devi.

Special Features:

• Kollemcode Bhadrakali Devi is worshipped in her dual form as Bhadra and Kali, though devotees receive blessings from the unified form of Mother Durga.
• The temple features a semi-circular structure, called the “Mudis”, which houses the idol of the Goddess. These structures are decorated with Snake Hood carvings made from jack tree wood.
• Kollemcode is unique in that it has two temples for a single deity:
  • The “Moola Kshetram” (Parent Temple) is located near the green paddy fields of Kollemcode and is believed to embody the omnipresence of the Goddess.
  • Another temple, Venkanji Mudippura, is located in the nearby province, where festivals are celebrated.
• Thookka Mahotsavam is a significant festival at the Venkanji Temple, celebrated with the birth anniversary of the Goddess.

Festivals:

• The most famous ritual performed here is Thookkam, a special offering where a 1-year-old baby is lifted as a part of a blessing for good health.
• Thookkam is celebrated for 10 days and is a popular event, typically occurring in March/April.
• The birth date of the Goddess is celebrated with grandeur at the Venkanji Temple during this time.

Century/Period

 625 A.D 

Nearest Bus Station

Kollemcode

Nearest Railway Station

Parashshala Railway Station 

Nearest Airport

Thiruvananthapuram

Location on Map

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