Kanyakumari Temple | Bhagavathi Amman Temple

Kanyakumari and its surroundings are believed to be part of the land which was created by Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Folktales and mythological stories speak about Kanyakumari.

In mythology, it is full of conflicts between Devas and Asuras, and finally the Devas get victory. It is the conquest of good over evil.

Banasura (Grandson of Mahabahali), the demon king, propitiated Lord Brahma. When Banasura asked for a boon of immortality, Brahma expressed his inability to grant such a boon, but gave an option to choose his own manner of death. Banasura wished that if at all he had to die, let his death be at the hands of a virgin. Brahma granted his boon.

Banasura, with this boon, started to harass the Devas and torturing the saints and rishis. Unable to bear this agony, they appealed to Mother Earth who in turn sought the help of Her consort Lord Vishnu, who is the protector of the Universe.

On the Lord’s command, the Devas propitiated Parasakthi who alone was capable of destroying Banasura. The Devas performed a Yagna which was so powerful that the Goddess was much pleased. She promised to annihilate Banasura. As ordained, Parasakthi in her reincarnation came down to earth as Devi Kumari. It is very common mythological fact that whichever reincarnation she took, she would do penance to rejoin her husband Lord Shiva through marriage.

Hence Kumari did penance so that she would be married to Lord Shiva. Shiva, pleased and happy, expressed his willingness to marry her. This was made known to Kumari. Narada who undertook this task arranged a proper time for marriage before dawn and insisted that the auspicious time should not be missed. Elaborate arrangements were made at Kumari’s place to celebrate the marriage.

The Lord Shiva was staying at Suchindrum. The bridegroom’s party started from Suchindrum well in advance with pomp and pageantry. Meanwhile, Narada was prompted by the Devas to do something to stop the marriage, because once the marriage was over, Kumari could not be a virgin and Banasura could not be killed as he could be killed only by a virgin.

Narada hit upon a plan, and assumed the form of a cock and waited at the place called Vazhukkamparai. When the marriage party reached at that place on their way to Kanyakumari, Narada crowed aloud. On hearing this by Lord Shiva and his party, thought that it was dawn and the auspicious hour had passed. Hence they returned to Suchindrum, greatly disappointed. ( Also see – Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple )

Meanwhile, Devi Kanyakumari, dressed for the marriage occasion in bridal glory was waiting for the arrival of Lord Shiva and his marriage party. As the bridegroom’s party didn’t turn up, the disappointed Bride Kumari vowed to remain a virgin. Also she scattered all the food items kept for marriage, which turned into sand and pebbles resembling rice and other items. The multi coloured sand found in the Kanyakumari sea shore is attributed to this incident.

Banasura, hearing about the beauty of Kumari, and without realizing who she was, wanted to marry her. Kumari bluntly declined his proposal. Banasura decided to win her by force. A fierce battle ensued at Mahadhanapuram (a place 4 km from Kanyakumari) and in the end, the Goddess Kanyakumari used her Chakrayudha (Discus weapon) and slain Banasura.

All the Devas were watching this and were delighted and sang hymns in praise of Devi Kanyakumari. Then Devi resumed her penance and remained a virgin and continues to perform austerities to this day with the hopes that he will one day unite with her.

The worship of Devi Kanya Kumari dates back to the Vedic times. She has been mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Sangam works Manimekalai, Puranaanooru and Narayaṇa (Mahanarayana) Upanishad, a Vaishnava upanishad in the Taittiriya Samhita of Krishna Yajur Veda.

The temple is said to be over 3000 years old. Sage Parashurama is said to have performed the consecration of the temple and the image of Devi Bhagavathy facing the east, made of blue stone, is believed to have been installed by him. The rites and rituals of the temple is organised and classified by following Sankaracharya’s treatise.

As directed by his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, came here to seek Devi’s blessing in December 1892, as devi is the goddess of Sanyasa. It is in this location he decided to embark on the Missionary Work to a higher level of action rather than being passive like the usual Sanyasis’.

Swami Brahmananda (1863–1922) and Swami Nirmalananda (1863–1938), another two disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Parama hamsa also worshiped Devi Kanyakumari. In fact, Swami Nirmalananda brought several small girls from many parts of Kerala to worship Bahagavathy in 1935-36 period. To the surprise of all, seven girls later became the members of the first batch of Nuns of the “Sarada Ashrama”, a Hindu Nunnery started later in 1948 in Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala by Swami Vishadananda.

The author of ‘Periplus of the Erythraean Sea’ (60-80 A.D.) has written about the prevalence of the propitiation of the deity Kanyakumari in the extreme southern part of India; “There is another place called Comori and a harbour, hither come those men who wish to consecrate themselves for the rest of their lives, and bath and dwell in celibacy and women also do the same; for it is told that a goddess once dwelt here and bathed.”

Kanyakumari was under the rule of the Paravar Kings till the downfall of Pandyas, and later by kings of Travancore under the overall suzerainty of the British until 1947, when India became independent. Travancore joined the independent Indian Union in 1947. Later in the state partition Kanyakumari became part of Tamil Nadu.