There is a different sort of bliss you feel when you visit Kanyakumari’s famous temples in South India. And out of the many temples that put forth a spiritually rejuvenating experience stands alone on the seas shore, the Arulmigu Bhagavathyamman Temple dedicated to Goddess Shree Bhagavathy who is worshipped as a virgin girl child here. It is believed that Goddess Bhagavathy who is also known as Devi Kanya Kumari sets even the sternest mind free and that's the reason why pilgrims visit here all around the year. This temple has existed even before 3000 years before by Parasuram and was given a facelift by one of the great kings of the Pandya Dynasty. Among most of the worshippers who pave their way to this popular temple of Tamil Nadu gift new saris to the Goddess and light diyas (lamps), the number of women worshippers is a little extra who come here to bow down and wish for a successful marriage. Furthermore, people also come here and take a dip in the sea and present their departed ancestors with Tarpan for them to attain salvation.
Stories Associated with the Temple
Legend has it that this famous pilgrimage site of Kanyakumari was the place where the virgin goddess performed her penance when Lord Shiva couldn't keep up to the promise of tying the knot with her. The Goddess in her anger killed the demons and chose to remain a virgin. Apart from this, the temple has its special mention in the Sangam era works Purananooru and Manimekalai along with ancient Indian scriptures Yajurveda, Mahabharata, Ramayana. According to another legend that is attached to this temple, it is believed that when Lord Shiva carried the corpse of Sati all over the Aryavarta, parts of her body fell on the way. The places where the body parts of the Devi fell are known as the 51 Shakti Peethas of the Mother Goddess and it is said that the back of the Goddess fell in Kanyakumari.
Architecture
This beautiful town where the temple is settled is a vision in itself as the Arabian Sea in the West, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the Indian Ocean in the South meet together here. As for the image of the Devi that is the prime attraction of Bhagavathy temple is depicted as a young girl performing penance carved with blue stones and is holding a rosary in her hand. To add more charm the Sage Parasurama who is believed to be the one who installed this image also added a nose jewel on the image where the Devi faces the east.
Opening/Closing/Arti time
4:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Daily rituals are as follows
- Abhishegam 5:00 AM
- Deeparathanai 6:00 AM
- Abhishegam 10:00 AM
- Deeparathanai 11:30 AM
- Sayaratchai Deeparathanai 6:30 PM
- Sribali 8:15 PM
- Yeganda Deeparathanai 8:25 PM
Location/Address
Temple Road, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Kanyakumari temple is between the months of December to February as the weather remains pleasant during this time of the year.
How to Reach?
The temple is located around 22 km away from Nagercoil and some 3 km from Colachel and both destinations are well connected to major parts of Tamil Nadu via bus service.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
- Vivekananda Rock Memorial
- Thiruvalluvar Statue
- Padmanabhapuram Palace
- Thanumalayan Temple
- Vattakottai Fort
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