Bhadrakali(IAST:Bhadrakālī;lit.'auspicious Kali'[2]) is aHindu goddess.She is considered to be the auspicious and fortunate form ofAdi Shaktiwho protects the good, known asbhadra.[3]
InVaishnavism,Bhadrakali is among the many epithets ofYogamaya,the internal potency of illusion of the preserver deity,Vishnu.[4]
The name Bhadra comes from Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, "bhadra" means "auspicious" or "fortunate". Another interpretation traces the name to the Sanskrit roots "bha" and "dra". The letter "bha" signifies "delusion" or "maya", while "dra" is used as a superlative meaning "the most" or "the greatest". Together, "bhadra" may mean "maha maya" or "great delusion".[5][6]
This delusion refers to the illusion of samsara, the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. Worship of the goddess Bhadrakali is thought to grant liberation from this grand delusion. Her severed head and sickle represent Bhadrakali freeing devotees from the ego and enabling moksha, or spiritual liberation. Hence, the goddess Bhadrakali dispels ignorance and frees individuals from the bonds of illusion.
This goddess is represented with three eyes and four, sixteen, or eighteen hands. She carries a number of weapons, with flames flowing from her head, and a small tusk protruding from her mouth.[citation needed]
According toKeralatraditions, the events described in theMarkandeya Puranaassociated with Bhadrakali (her slaying of the demonDarikato liberate the universe from the evil) took place in Kerala, nearMadayiin theKannur District.[8][9]She is seen to protect the honour of women and to bestow all spiritual knowledge.[10][11]
Among the people of the neighboring states, especially in Tamil Nadu, this form ofShaktiis known as 'MalayalaBhagavathy' or 'Malayala Bhadrakali', who provides protection to her devotees irrespective of caste and religion.
In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and theSouthern Travancorearea of Kerala, especially in the city ofThiruvananthapuram,the Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu-speaking communities worship a form ofMahakalias 'Ujjaini Mahakali', and they consider EmperorVikramadityaas their first teacher in this spiritual tradition, as he is thought to have established the tradition in the South.
Hindu communities inKerala,SouthernKarnatakaand SouthernTamil Naduincluding theEzhavas,Billavas,Kodavas,Nadars,Namboodhiris,Moosathu Brahmins andNairs,worship Bhadrakali as their family deity (Paradevata). They worship certain weapons in their temples which they believe to be the weapons used by the goddess. TheKuladevataor community deity ofKudumbicommunity isKodungalluramma,the mother goddess of Kodungallur.Kodungallur Bhagavathy Templeis one of the most famous temples in Kerala, dedicated to Bhadrakali. During the 'Thalappoli' festival, which is celebrated mainly onMakar Sankranti,Kudumbi people from all over the state (mainly Malabar, Tulunad, Kodaka) come to the temple. Many temples ofThiyyasin Northern Kerala and South Karnataka are called the Kali Sree Kurumba, Cheermba, and Paradevata. According toCastes and Tribes of Southern IndiabyEdgar Thurston,Bhadrakali is the prime deity ofEzhavasof Travancore. According to theNadarCommunity of Tamil Nadu, there were seven children born toDevarishisand Devakanyas. They gave their children to Bhadrakali. She took them and gave milk to the children. The progenies of these children are today believed to be the ancestors of theNadarcommunity. She is considered as the mother ofNadars.TheNadarsalso claim that they are the descendants of Bhadrakali. A Bhadrakali temple is usually at the center of almost everyNadarsettlement. Bhadrakali is also the tutelary deity of theNadarcommunity ofTamil Nadu.[12]Kanyakubja Brahminswith roots in Bhadras,Kanpurworship her as their Kuladevi. The place is called Bhadras because of the presence of a very old Bhadra Kali Temple.
According to legends, the IndianSanskritpoetKalidasaattained literary fame[clarification needed]due to the divine will of Bhadrakali. Another legend states that the emperorVikramadityaand his brother Bhatti were also ardent devotees of Bhadrakali, whose blessings resulted in all their successes. Vikramaditya also helped to establish small wayside Bhadrakali temples and prayer centers for pilgrims in many parts of Southern India, especially in Tamil Nadu. The devotional traditions focused around these small temples exist even today.[13]
It is believed Bhadrakali protects the practitioners ofKalarippayattu,a traditional martial arts form. InMalabar,it is believed that all the victories ofThacholi Othenanand other martial artists were due to the blessings of Bhadrakali of theLokanarkavu Temple,also known as 'The Shaolin Temple ofMalayalees'. Most traditional villages in Kerala have their ownKalari,ancient martial arts schools, and local temples dedicated to Bhadrakali associated with them. AmongTamils,Bhadrakali is equally important as the patron deity of traditional martial arts and a guardian of all law-abiding citizens.
Kerala has a tradition of folk artist rituals and dances associated with the worship of Devi in the form of Bhadrakali. These rituals are performed in places of worship calledKavu(roughly translated as grove) or in small temples. Besides the general welfare of the village, these rituals aim at warding off of such calamities like smallpox and other epidemic diseases. The ritual themes generally revolve around the triumph of Bhadrakali over the demon Darika and other evil characters.
Bhadrakali Templeis a temple situated in Thanesar, Jhansa road, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth Shri Devikoop Bhadrakali Mandir is also known as “Savitri Peeth”, “Devi Peeth”, “Kalika Peeth” or “Aadi Peeth”. The temple is believed to be the site whereSatidisrupted the sacrifice of her fatherDaksha,which insulted her husband, the deityShiva,by not inviting him. According to Hindu scripture, unable to stand the insults to her husband, Sati leapt into the fire and burnt herself alive. Clasping her dead body to his heart, the distraught Shiva started pacing all over the universe. Watching all this, LordVishnucut her dead body with his ‘Sudarshan chakra’ into 52 parts. In this way, the places where these parts fell, emerged as sacred “Shaktipeeth”, bringing the power ofDevi Bhagwatito every community.
Naina Devi, Jwala ji, Kamkhya ji, etc. are among the 52 holy Shaktipeethas. It is believed that the right ankle of Maa Sati fell down at Shaktipeeth Shri Devikoop Bhadrakali Mandir. The legend has it that before marching out for theBattle of Mahabharata,the Pandvas, along with Lord Krishna, offered worship here, praying for their victory and donating the horses of their Chariots. A tradition of offering horses made of silver, mud, and other materials emerged. The Tonsure (head shaving) ceremony of Shri Krishna & Balram was also performed at Shaktipeeth Shri Devikoop Bhadrakali Mandir.[citation needed]
Bhadrakali Templeis in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is near theSahid Gate.The temple is on the eastern side ofTundikhel.This temple is also known asShree Lumadhi Bhadrakali.It is one of the most renowned “Shaktipith”of Nepal. A form of the goddessKali,BhadrakaliinSanskritmeans “blessed, auspicious, beautiful and prosperous” and she is also known as “Gentle Kali”. Another name for the goddess isLazzapith.
Bhadrakali temple atItkhori,Chatra district.It is 35 km on the East ofChatraand 16 km west ofChauparanconnected withGrand Trunk RoadAlong with the temple situated on the bank of river Mahanada (Mahane), surrounded by hill and forest, there is a water reservoir.[16]
Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple,Thrissur, Kerala; is one of the oldest temples in India built during theSangam age.Mahodayapuram (Kodungallur) was the capital of theChera Empirewhich ruled Kerala. Shri Bhadrakali in her fierce form is worshipped along with Mahadevar(Siva) and Saptamathrukkal.
Vellayani Devi Temple,Trivandrum,Kerala. One of the most famous Bhadrakali temple, situated at Vellayani, Trivandrum, Kerala conducting longest non-pilgrimage festival in India (60 days of festival once in 3 years). The idol in this temple is very huge and made of pure gold. The temple is very ancient and it is calculated as 800 years old. The temple is entirely different from other temples due to its traditional rituals.
Thiruvarkadu Bhagavaty Templein Payangadi, Kannur, Kerala is the first and foremost Bhadrakali Temple at a place believed to be the fortress of Darukasura. Bhadrakali beheaded Darika here. The Shakteya Sampradaya pooja is well known here. It is done by Bhattarakas (Pidararas) who are migrant priests from Kashmir and Bengal. The idol of Bhadrakali is around 6 feet tall and is portrayed in the form of slaying Daruka. Tiruvarkattu Bahagavaty Temple is famous for the removal of black magic.
Kalarivathukkal Temple,Kannur, Kerala; the fierce form of Bhadrakali, as the mother of the martial artKalaripayattu.Theyyam the folk dance in Malabar starts with the permission of the Chirakkal Raja and the final theyyam in entire Kerala is in Kalarivathukkal Temple. The rituals are in Sakteya method.
Sarkaradevi TempleSarkara,Chirayinkeezh,Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala ( SreeSarkara Devi Templeis one of the oldest Bhadrakali temple in Kerala. Sarkara Pongala, Sarkara Kaliyoottu and Sarkara Bharani are famous festivals in this temple.These three festivals are with in two months in every year! Lakhs of people participates in these three festivals.
Thirumandhamkunnu Templeat Angadippuram, Kerala; A famous temple of Shri Bhadrakali, Ganesha near bagawathy is for child and marriage.
Thrikkariyoor Kottekkavu Bhagavathi Templeat Kottappady nearKothamangalamone of the oldest of kali temples and famous for the Muduyet ritual held once in every 12 years "Garudan Thookkam" on "Meena Bharani", "Sathrutha samhara pooja" and "Rakhshassinum sarpathinum padmamittu nivediam".
Vazhappully temple,Vazhappully Temple inThrissur,Kerala is a Hindu Temple famous for Guruthi Pooja for goddess Kali. Guruthi Pooja at Vazhappully Temple is offered for the fierce form of goddess Kali at Night. During Guruthi pooja the guruthi is offered to the goddess. Guruthi is a creamed mixture of Turmeric, slaked lime and other pooja ingredients. Guruthi represents blood which is vitality.
Kanyakumari:- Sri Bhadreshwari Amman Temple at Kannathankuzhi- an old and powerful temple worshipped and being managed by Nadar family of Pandaram Nadar, Maathan, Sangili, Padmanabhan, Perumal, Ponnammal-Ponnumuthu, Rajamani and Kochappi Nadars and their heirs. Annual festival held in every year in the month of Panguni and thousands of Nadar families used to worship the goddess.
Bhadrakali TempleinWarangal,Telangana. Bhadrakali (Maha Kali Mata) was the principal deity of the HinduKakatiya kingdomof Warangal (Orugallu or Ekashila nagaram) that ruled most of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during that period. Rituals and animal (and human, by some accounts) sacrifices on a large scale were performed to invoke the blessings of goddess Bhadrakali before the Kakatiya warriors went off for battle. As per the writings on the temple wall this temple is believed to be constructed by the KingPulakeshin IIof Chalukya dynasty around 625 CE.[citation needed]
Bhadrakali Temple, Banspatan-Kanda road,Kanda, Uttarakhand,DistrictBageshwar,Uttarakhand.An ancient temple situated near a scenic waterfall. Pant Brahmins from Khantoli are the traditional priests.[citation needed]
Kalighat Kali Temple,Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple in West Bengal, India dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It is one of the 51Shakti Peethas.The temple is visited by pilgrims from all over India irrespective of sectarian differences. Kalighat is also associated with the worship offered to Kali by a Dasanami Monk by name Chowranga Giri, and the Chowringee area of Calcutta is said to have been named after him.Kalighat temple is one of the greatest temples in West ⬅️ Bengal It is Shakti Pith that worships mother goddessKali[citation needed]
^Shakti and Shâktaby Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe), [1918], Chapter Six Shakti and Shakta. "4) The face in the North is blue and with three eyes. By this face, I revealed the Devis, Dakshinakalika, Mahakali, Guhyakah, Smashanakalika,Bhadrakali,Ekajata, Ugratara, Taritni, Katyayani, Chhinnamasta, Nilasarasvati, Durga, Jayadurga, Navadurga, Vashuli, Dhumavati, Vishalakshi, Gauri, Bagalamukhi, Pratyangira, Matangi, Mahishamardini, their rites and Mantras. "
^Maha Kshethrangalude Munnil, D. C. Books, Kerala.
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