Famous Bhadrakali temple in South India.

The name Bhadra derives from Sanskrit. The Sanskrit word "bhadra" means "auspicious" or "fortunate". Another version relates the name to the Sanskrit root words (Beeja akshara) "bha" and "dra". The letter "bha" represents "delusion" or "maya," whereas "dra" is used as a superlative meaning "the most" or "the greatest". The combination of the words "bhadra" might signify "maha maya" or "great delusion". This misconception relates to the illusion of samsara, or the never-ending cycle of birth and rebirth. Worship of the goddess Bhadrakali is supposed to provide relief from this tremendous delusion. Her chopped head and sickle represent Bhadrakali, who frees believers from the ego and allows them to achieve moksha, or spiritual emancipation. As a result, the goddess Bhadrakali dispels ignorance and liberates people from the grip of delusion.

Today in this blog, we are going to discuss some famous Bhadrakali temples in South India.

Table of Contents

1. Vellayani devi temple, Vellayani
2. Sarkara Devi temple, Chirayinkeezhu
3. Pournami kavu bhadrakali temple, Venganoor
4. Pisharikavu temple, Koyilandy
5. Pathiyanadu sree bhadrakali temple, Mullassery

Vellayani devi temple, Vellayani

Vellayani Devi Temple is located on the eastern banks of Vellayani Lake in Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India. The Travancore Devaswom Board administers the temple. Vellayani Devi Temple is claimed to have been built in the fourteenth century AD. The main appeal of this temple is its gorgeous setting on the banks of Vellayani Lake. The temple is devoted to Goddess Bhadrakali, the most fierce Goddess of all. Lord Ganapathy, Lord Siva, and Nagaraja are among the other sub-deities in Vellyani Devi temple. The Vellayani Devi Temple houses a separate shrine for Madan Thampuran.

According to legend, a blacksmith named Kelan Kulashekhara came upon a frog with heavenly abilities near the lake. He grabbed the frog and sent it to the Nair chieftains of the area. Kulashekhara then built the Thiru mudi (idol) in which the holy spirit is kept. Since then, the Nair families have had the ability to execute the rites. The priest of the temple is also from the blacksmith family.

Another version of the narrative states that Darika, a demon who gained a blessing from Lord Brahma, went on to rule the universe by conquering the King of Gods, Indra, with his enormous prowess.His abominable deeds prompted the heavenly Sage Narada to ask Lord Shiva to kill Darika. Lord Shiva opened the Third Eye and created the terrible Kali to slay Darika, who had obtained a blessing that prevented him from being slain by any human dwelling in any of the fourteen realms of Hindu mythology. Goddess Kali was a lady given birth by heavenly force. Even after defeating the demon, Kali, the most violent manifestation of Lord Shiva's third eye, refused to quit. She went on to murder all of the people who were responsible for Darika's death. No God could stop her. Kali was ultimately calmed down when her creator, Lord Shiva, submitted to her.

Information about temple-

Best Season to Visit: All
Languages: Malayalam and English
The temple is open from 5.30 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Sarkara Devi temple, Chirayinkeezhu

Sarkara Devi Temple is located in Chirayinkeezhu Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. The shrine is devoted to the goddess Bhadrakali. According to legend, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, performed special prayers to the Lord and Goddess Kali but was unable to invoke the holy presence. One day on his trek, he heard an anonymous voice. To his surprise, there was Lord Vishnu and Goddess Kali. This narrative is also performed during the temple's biggest celebration.

Information about temple-

Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Malayalam & English
The temple is open from 5.30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Pournami kavu bhadrakali temple, Venganoor

The Pournami Kavu is located at Chavadi Nada, Venganoor, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India. This temple is devoted to the Goddess Bala Bhadra Devi. The temple, however, is well-known for its Ganesh statue, which is the world's largest. The temple's main deity is Goddess Bala Bhadra Devi. The Goddess manifests in five various forms: Bala Bhadra, Veera Bhadra, Roudra Bhadra, Krodha Bhadra, and Samhara Bhadra. Other deities of the temple include Goddess Sri Lakshmi Vinayakan, Goddess Sri Ugra Rektha, Goddess Chamundi Devi, Lord Thampuran, Lord Yogeeswaran, Lord Mantra Moorthi, Lord Brahma Rekshaasu, Goddess Yekshiyamma, Lord Naagar, and Lord Pancha Mukha Ganapathi.

On the full moon day, the temple performs the Maha Ganapathi Homam, Saraswathi Pooja, Lakshmi Pooja, Pournami Pooja, Kalasha Pooja, Kalasabhishekam, Sri Chakra Pooja, Panja Shakthi Pooja, Sarva Dosha Nivarana Pooja, Sarva Karya siddhi pooja, Sarva Roga nivarana pooja, and Chandika Homam. This temple's annual celebration takes place over three days in March. During the event, unique poojas will be available. Oracles will execute rituals such as agni vilayattom and a hot oil bath. 

Information about temple-

Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Malayalam & English
The temple is open from 5.50 AM to 12 PM and 5.30 PM to 8 PM. The temple is only open twelve days each year, on full moon days.

The Pisharikavu Temple, Koyilandy

The Pisharikavu Temple is located in Koyilandy, Kozhikode District, Kerala, India. The shrine is devoted to the goddess Bhadrakali. The Malabar Devaswom Board maintains the temple.
According to folklore, the remaining members of the Ettuveettil family relocated to Kollam following the conspiracy against Marthanda Varma. They were wealthy diamond traders. One of the family members engaged in intense meditations with real devotion to satisfy the goddess Bhadrakaali. One night, the goddess Sri Porkali (the family deity of the Ettuveettil pilla family) appeared in his dream and handed him a very rare sword named "Nandhakam" and instructed him to pray to her with this weapon, as well as to return to his hometown.
Surprised by the dream, he built a temple in his hometown and treasured the Nandakkam sword. Mother Bhadrakaali blessed the family with wealth and power. The community is claimed to still exist, and they are granted special privileges to hold a celebration named "Kaliyattam".

Information about temple

Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Malayalam & English
The temple is open from 5.30 AM to 12 PM and from 5.30 PM to 8 PM.

Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple, Mullassery

The Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple is located in Mullassery, Thrissur district, Kerala, India. The shrine is devoted to the goddess Bhadrakali. The Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Kshetram Trust manages the temple. According to legend, Darika was a demon who obtained a gift from Lord Brahma granting him the ability to never be beaten by any man residing in any of Hindu mythology's fourteen planets. This gave Darika enormous power and arrogance. Darika lost his control and went on to rule the world, conquering Lord Indra, the King of Gods. The Devas, including the holy philosopher Narada, protested to Lord Shiva about his unbearable misdeeds. Lord Shiva consented, defying Lord Brahma's blessing by stating that Darika will be killed by Goddess Kali.

Since no man could beat Darika, Lord Shiva opened his furious third eye and produced Goddess Kali, whose sole purpose was to destroy Darika. The Goddess, a woman who was not born among humans, did so by beheading him. The Goddess did not stop at Darika. Unable to control her fury, she began to ruin the landscape and the same individuals for whom she had killed Darika. The Gods were unable to overpower her, and she was ultimately calmed when Shiva fell down in front of her, yielding.

Information about temple

Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Malayalam & English
The temple is open from 4 AM to 12.30 PM and 4 PM to 7.30 PM.