Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pathiyanadu Bhadrakali Temple |
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Idol of Pathiyanadamma
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 Pathiyanadu Bhadrakali Temple
Location in Kerala
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| Coordinates: | 8°26′44″N 76°59′29″E / 8.44556°N 76.99139°E |
| Name | |
| Proper name: | Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Kshetram |
| Sanskrit transliteration: | पथियनदु श्री भद्रकाली क्षेत्रं |
| Tamil: | பதியநாடு ஸ்ரீ பாத்ரஅகழி க்ஷேத்ரம் |
| Marathi: | पाठीयानाडू श्री भद्रकाली क्षेत्राम |
| Chinese: | পাঠিয়ানাদু শ্রী ভাদ্রাকালি ক্ষেত্রম |
| Location | |
| Country: | India |
| State: | Kerala |
| District: | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Location: | Karakulam |
| Temple Details | |
| Consort: | Goddess Bhadrakali |
| Important festivals: | Kumbhabharani Mahotsavam |
The Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple is a very famous and important shrine (a holy place) in Kerala, India. This temple is located in Mullassery. It is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from Karakulam. It is also about 12.5 kilometers (7.8 miles) from Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is looked after by the Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Kshetram Trust.
Contents
Temple Deities
The main deity (god or goddess) worshipped here is Goddess Bhadrakali. People believe she is the daughter of Lord Shiva. Other smaller temples within the main temple complex are for Lord MahaGanapathy and Nagaraja. These are called Upadevatha's temples.
The Story of Kali and Darika
There's an old story about a powerful demon named Darika. He received a special gift from Lord Brahma. This gift meant no man in any of the fourteen worlds could defeat him. This made Darika very strong and proud.
Darika used his power to conquer the world. He even defeated Indra, who is the king of the gods. His evil actions became too much to bear. So, a wise sage named Narada asked Lord Shiva for help.
Shiva agreed to stop Darika. He found a way around Brahma's gift. Shiva said that the goddess Kali would defeat Darika. Shiva opened his third eye and created Kali. Her job was to destroy Darika. Since Kali was a goddess and not born among humans, she could defeat him. She did this by cutting off his head.
But Kali's anger didn't stop there. She kept destroying everything around her. The gods could not calm her down. Finally, Lord Shiva lay on the ground in front of her. This act of submission calmed her rage.
Temple Festivals
The Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple holds a big festival every year. It usually happens between February and March. Every three years, there is a special festival called Dikkubali Mahotsavam. Every six years, an even bigger one called Paranettu Mahotsavam takes place.
These festivals all begin in the Malayalam month of Kumbham. They start on the Bharani star day. That's why they are all known as Kumbhabharani Mahotsavam.
Swayamvara Parvathy Pooja
This special prayer happens on the third day of the festival. Girls over 18 years old come here to take part. They believe this pooja helps remove problems that delay their marriage. It also helps them find a good partner soon. On this day, a special event called Trikalayanam happens. It is a symbolic marriage of Goddess Bhadrakali. Thousands of people come to watch and get blessings.
Grahalekshmi Pooja
This is a unique prayer only seen in this temple in Kerala. Many people join this pooja during the festival days. They believe it helps remove bad spirits from their homes. It also brings the blessings of Lekshmi Devi (Goddess of wealth) to their houses.
Grahadhosha Nivarana Pooja
This is another special prayer found only at this temple. People participate in it during the festival. They believe it helps remove bad influences or black magic from their homes.
Balithooval
This pooja is held on the fifth day of the festival. The temple priest performs special trance-like dances. He continues until he becomes unconscious. This ritual is done to remove bad luck, evil eye, or black magic. People believe that the goddess's helpers remove these problems. This happens for those who participate and those who watch.
Sarppabali
The Kshetra Thantri (chief priest) performs this pooja on a festival day. This prayer is done to remove problems related to snakes.
Kalamkaval
Kalamkaval is a famous custom at the temple and nearby areas during the festival. People believe that Goddess Bhadrakali searched for the demon Daaruka in all directions before killing him. Devotees remember this story by watching Kalamkaval.
In this ritual, the chief priest carries the idol of the goddess on his head. He performs trance-like dances until he becomes unconscious. During Kalamkaval, the priest wears special anklets and traditional gold ornaments. People believe the goddess gives him strength to perform this dance.
Dikkubali
It is believed that Goddess Bhadrakali searched for the demon Daaruka in all four main directions. These directions are East, South, West, and North. In each of these directions, Kalamkaval and Gurusi rituals take place.
Paranettu
This ritual shows a fight between the Goddess and the demon Darikan in the sky. The fight is acted out on a special stage. This stage is about 100 feet high. The Paranettu performance happens at night.
Nilathilporu
Nilathilporu marks the end of the Kumbhabharani Paranettu festival. During the most exciting part of this ceremony, the demon Daarika cries and asks the Goddess for mercy. After this, the Goddess defeats the demon.
Aaraattu
The festival ends with a grand procession called Aaraattu. During Aaraattu, the idol is cleaned with water from 101 pots. This cleaning ceremony happens at Pathiyanadu Ambalakkadavu. Girls under ten years old, along with the chief priest, perform this function.
Pongala
Pongala is celebrated during the festival in the Malayalam month of Kumbham. It happens on the Punartham Nakshatram (Punarvasu star). Pongala is a special dish made of rice, jaggery (a type of sugar), ghee (clarified butter), and coconut. Women cook it outdoors in small pots to please the Goddess. Thousands of women from different places come to Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple. They offer Pongala to make their wishes come true.
Offerings and Prayers
People offer many types of prayers and offerings at the temple. Some common ones include Akathu Nivedhyam, Kumkumaarchana, and Ganapathy Homam. Many of these offerings are for specific wishes. For example, Swayamvaraarchana is for marriage blessings. Muttirakku, Kumkumabhishekam, and Manjalabhishekam are often done on Sundays.
Temple Timings
The temple is open on specific days each week.
- Tuesdays: 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM
- Fridays: 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Sundays: 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM
On the first day of every Malayalam month, the temple has special hours. It opens from 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Then it reopens from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. On these days, free food (Annadhanam) is also provided. The temple also opens on all major Hindu festivals.
Cultural Events
Many cultural programs are held during the festival days. There are also events like Karkkidakavavu bali. A "Samskaarika Sammelanam" (cultural gathering) takes place during the festival. At this event, awards are given to talented people.
Some awards include the Sadhchitra Award and the Kalamadhyamasreshtta Puraskaaram. Awards are also given to students who are good at arts and studies. The Kalamadhyamasreshtta Puraskaaram is for people talented in films, media, and other fields. Famous people like actress Chippi, actress Indhulekha, actor Madhu, teacher Sugathakumari, and Kavaalam Narayana Panicker have received this award.
