Devi Kanyakumari, a form of Parvati devi is sister of Lord Sri Krishna. She is also worshipped as manifestation of goddess Mahadevi and as an incarnation of goddess Bhadrakali by Shaktas. She is known by several names such as Shri Bhala Bhadra, Sri Bhala Kanya Devi and Devi Kumari.
Significance:
Kanya Kumari is the goddess of virginity and penance. The Bhagavathi Kumari Amman temple is one of the 52 Shakti Pithas. The other attractions in the temple are Pathala Ganga tirtha and Kalabhairava shrine. There are alos shrines of Vijayasundari & Balasundari, friends of Goddess Kanyakumari.
The presiding deity is in standing posture with an Aksharamala in her hands along with an image of a lion in her platform near foot indicating her as Adi Parashakti.
This temple is located on the confluence of Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Sage Parasurama performed spiritual inauguration to this temple.
Goddess Kanya Kumari killed the demon Banasura. He is a demon by birth and was the ruler of Kanyakumari. He was a very powerful king and he practiced tapasya(spiritual meditation practices) and got a wish granted from Brahma that his death could only be caused by a young girl. Banasura tried to approach Kumari without knowing who she was.Then she killed Banasura at once then he realised that she is Adi Parashakti.
Festivals Celebrated:
Chitra Pournima on the full moon day in May month, Navaratri festival, Vaisakha festival ( a 10 days festival in May-June months) and Kalabham festival in July-August months are celebrated grandly in this temple.
How To Reach:
Kanyakumari bus stand is located at a distance of around 1 KM and railway station is around 950m from this temple. You can reach temple by taking an auto rickshaw or by walk.
