https://www.audible.in/pd/Pallipurathukavu-Malayalam-Edition-Audiobook/B0F4SRZ6RZ
KR IRS 11525
2 BHADRA KALI CONCEPT OF KERALA TANTRIC STYLE AS A VISHNU MAYA
Bhadrakali, also known as Mahakali or Kalika, is a prominent form of the
Hindu goddess Kali, often seen as an auspicious and fortunate aspect of Adi
Shakti (the supreme power). In some tantric traditions, she is considered
the consort of Shiva, specifically in his form of Mahakal or Bhairava,
representing the divine energy or power. Bhadrakali is particularly revered
in South India, especially in Kerala, and is associated with the protection
of the righteous. She is often depicted as a fierce and powerful goddess,
capable of destroying evil and bringing about change.
Auspicious and Fortunate Form of Kali:
Bhadrakali is seen as the positive and beneficial face of Kali, while still
retaining her fierce qualities.
Worshipped Predominantly in Kerala:
She holds a significant place in the Hindu traditions of the state of
Kerala, according to Wikipedia.
Associated with Protection:
Bhadrakali is believed to protect the righteous and subdue evil forces,
according to Wikipedia.
Symbolism:
Her weapons and attributes, such as the sword, trident, mace, discus, and
noose, all symbolize divine knowledge, power, and her ability to overcome
obstacles.
Tantric Significance:
In tantric traditions, she is seen as the consort of Shiva in his powerful
forms, representing energy and power.
2 Bhadrakālī (भद्रकाली) was worshiped as part of the Navarātra Tantric
ritual (an autumnal festival of the warrior goddess Caṇḍikā). —Worship of
Bhadrakali is attached to a pre-existent stratum of Brahmanical rituals of
kingship advocated in Vedic literature. (Bṛhatsaṃhitā 43; Kāṭhakagṛhyasūtra
57.1 and Arthashasthra 2.30.519). —Various 5th century sources refer to
rituals such as the worship of Bhadrakālī, for example:
Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa 2.158.6cd–7, Agni purana 267.13cd–16ab ;
Varāhapurāṇa cited in the Kṛtyaratnākara, pp. 364–365.
2) Bhadrakālī (भद्रकाली) is another name for Śivā: the Goddess-counterpart
of Śiva who incarnated first as Satī and then Pārvatī, according to the
Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“[...] the great goddess Śivā is of the three natures.
Śivā became Satī and Śiva married her. At the sacrifice of her father she
cast off her body which she did not take again and went back to her own
region. Śivā incarnated as Pārvatī at the request of the Devas. It was
after performing a severe penance that she could attain Śiva again. Śivā
came to be called by various names [such as Bhadrakālī,...]. These various
names confer worldly pleasures and salvation according to qualities and
action. The name Pārvatī is very common.
3) Bhadrakālī (भद्रकाली) refers to one of the “nine Durgās” (Navadurgā),
participating in Vīrabhadra campaign against Dakṣa, according to the
Śivapurāṇa 2.2.33. Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“Mahākālī
went ahead for the destruction of Dakṣa accompanied by nine Durgās [viz.,
Bhadrakālī]. Eager in executing the command of Śiva, they accompanied the
marching heroes—Ḍākinī, Śākinī, Bhūtas, Pramathas, Guhyakas, Kūṣmāṇḍas,
Parpaṭas, Caṭakas, Brahma-Rākṣasas, Bhairavas and Kṣetrapālas and set out
quickly for the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice”.
4) Bhadrakālī (भद्रकाली).—A name of Yogamāyā;1 bestows good on children
when propitiated with human sacrifice; when the Goddess found the man
sacrificed was a virtuous Brahmana like Bharata she became fiery and cut
off the heads of the Vṛṣala chief and his attendants who offered him to
her;2 fought with Niśumbha and Śumbha in the Devāsura war;3 worshipped by
the Gopīs at the end of their vrata.4 Lion as her riding animal; having
three eyes and a trident: praised by Paraśurāma;5 came out of the wrath of
Umā for the destruction of the Dakṣa's yajña.6
3 Description of Goddess Kali Chapter 3 - Minor Goddesses
The most popular of all the minor goddesses is Kali. In fact Kali is a part
manifestation of the major goddess Parvati. Kali though makes an appearance
in the Vedic literature; is popular in the tantras, as well as in the folk
cults. Meaning. The dictionary meaning of the term Kali or Kala is in the
sense of colour ie. 'the black or the dark blue colour.'170 In the context
of the Tantra-sastra, it is the name of one of the most popular and
powerful goddess/ for whom worship is accorded. She is one of the important
deities in the DasaMaha-Vidya's. Such is the power and grace, of the
goddess Apte V.S. SSED, P.146 234
Chapter 3. Minor goddesses that we find an entire division of the Sakta's
who practice her worship chiefly which is known as 'Kalimata'. Origin and
occurance. The Origin of the word Kali can be traced to as far as the
Atharvaveda The source for the word Kali is, the two hyms addressed to Kala
(m) in the Atharvaveda1 which means time. This goddess name possibly had
some reference to the abstract deity Kala says Agrawala P.K and thus, the
name Kali, presumably evolved on the same lines as Indrani for Indra,
Varunani for Varuna, etc... Thus Kali was an abstract feminine concept and
was essentially a goddess of Kala, who personified absolute time and later
on death. Later on she evolved to a concrete form. Kali occurs in the later
vedic literature as well. In the Kataka Grhya Sutra Kali is invoked
alongwith the major vedic deities as Agni etc... In the Mundaka Upanisad,
Kali occurs as the name of the flaming tongue of Agni.
Chapter 3. Minor goddesses (i) From Siva Purana - The context is of the
wrath of Siva on knowing about Sati's self immolation at the sacrificial
ground of Daksa. Rudra is enraged at Sati's insult and death plucks his
hair in rage and strikes the mountain top with it. From the first half of
the hair sprang out Virabhadra and from the other sprang forth MahaKali who
was terrible in appearance and surrounded by crores of goblins .
(ii) In the Vidyesvara Samhita we have a similar version of the Kali's
origin. Here, she is addressed as Bhadra and is asked to be a wtiness and
companion to the exploits of Virabhadra.
(iii) Further in the same section, we find Siva rebuking Parvati and
calling her as 'Kali because of her dark colour. Sakti is angry by the
remark and pledges to propitiate Brahma and acquire a fair body. The Sakti
of Siva casts off her dark outer skin and becomes white and was called as
Kausiki or the fair one and, the dark sheath which was shead off came to be
known as Kali
(iv) In the Skanda Purana a similar version of Kali's origin and Daksa's
sacrifice is mentioned. Rudra angrily uproots a plait of shaggy hair struck
the mountain top with it. As a Siva Purana Vol.I Rudra Samhita 32.22;32.25
176 Siva Purana Vol. IV
(v) The Kali Purana states that Sati abandoned her body full of rage, and
was born afterwards in a fierce shape ie. 'Canda Murti. It further mentions
the worship of the goddess as Ugracanda and as Bhadrakali.
(vi) The gods praised the wife of Matanga rsi who is surprised. She
enquires the reason for she is a mortal. While she was speaking thus, the
goddess who was within her body issues out and is white in colour. The
remnant body then became dark like powdered antimony and so was called Kali
or the black one .
(vii) It is stated that, when Ambika issued out of Parvati's body, the
remanant body was dark and was addressed as Kali or the black one'
(viii) In course of the great battle of Durga, when the Asura brothers'
Sumbha and Nisumbha pounced on her, the forehead of Durga became dark with
anger and from it sprang Skanad Purana I.1.3.33,34 179 Kali-purana 63.5,6;
63.31,32 180
Minor goddesses the goddess Kali with a frightful face wearing a tiger
skin and adorned with a garland of skulls. Thus from the list of the
origin-accounts, it can be summed up that Kali or the black one was that
femenine energy which came out due to wrath and for a purpose - to destroy
one's enemies. As a result, she is shown in various dark shades of black
and a contrasting red blood on her person. Synonyms: Kali and Durga are
popular as synonyms for each other. However the thin line of demarcation is
Durga is the mild, gentle aspect while Kali is the fierce aspect of the
same female principle. The fierceness of the goddess has resulted in her
being referred to as a Candika, Canda, Ugra, and Tara etc... Kali and
Agni: The fiery and razing nature of the godesses Kali is perhaps due to
her relationship with Agni. This fiery relationship is very old and
ancient. The Mundaka Upanisad mentions Kali as the name of the first
flaming tongue of Agni
Minor goddesses to whom the Angnihotra oblations are offered . Kali
is invoked side by side with Agni in the marriage ritual stated in the Kataka
Grhya Sutra . Kali and Bhadrakali occur as names of two goddess worshipped
side by side with great Vedic gods like Agni, Soma, Varuna, Indra etc...
Bhadrakali being the propitious aspect of Kali is seen to have obtained
appeal in households and in popular worship. The goddesses Kali occurs in
tantra and in where she is spoken of as being associated with cemetery and
the cemeterial fire. Kali is thus seen associated with both the aspects of
Agni as havya vahaka and khavya vahaka. In the later traditions this
flaming tongue of Agni referred to as Kali is seen crystallized and
picturized into a dark goddess with tongue lolling out, to lick and drink
the blood of her victims. Kali: One goddess - Many forms. As seen above
that the basic concept of Kali as a divinity associated with fierceness,
destruction and death is traced to the Vedic perod. As time passed, this
goddess was 2 attributed and associated with many adjectives and the
accomplishment of different tasks.
Minor goddesses she is looked upon differently in the Tantra-Sastra
thus creating a large area of study. Kali -- As the goddesses of Knowledge.
The goddess Kali is one among the 'Ten wisdom goddess' ie.a Mahavidya. The
earliest reference of Kali, occurs in the knowledge section of the Veda ie.
in the Upanisads. The M. Up, mentions Kali, as the name of flame of Agni.
Another flame is called Manojava ie. the speed of the mind 189. According
to tradition Agni is known as a god, who facilitates knowledge. Based on
this an equation can be drawn as follows. Kali Manojava both are flames of
fire. = Agni Knowledge Kali = Agni from tradition Part and whole.
Therefore, from the above we can deduce that Kali= Agni. From the above
sequence we can conclude that Kali being part of Agni facilitates knowledge
and quick thinking. In the Devibhagavata-purana 190 the gods praise the
goddess as Kali Kalia, Nilasarasvati, Ugratara, etc. The Garuda Purana
mentions 189 M.Up, 1.2.4.. 190 Devibhagavata-purana, Bk. X, Chapter-XIII
V.86-96 240
Minor goddesses Gauri, Kali, Uma, Durga, Bhadra, Kanti, and
Sarasvati invoking them for victory. Here, we find that both Kali and
Saraswati together and on the same line and can be assumed as synonyms. The
Devibhagavata-purana 192, mentions that Durga, the mild aspect of Kali
presides over 'buddhi' or intellect. Further it also mentions that Durga
presides over the intellect 193. Durga and Kali are popular as synonyms.
The beginning line of Kali Mantra Prakarna in the Sri-vidyarnava-tantra 194
states that the Knowledge of Kali is difficult to obtain. Kali is one of
the ten knowledge goddess of tantra mostly occurring in the first five of
the list. Further it is mentioned that, the goddess Kalika is to be
worshipped for obtaining poetic eloquence. The Sri-vidyarnava-tantra,
mentions Nila Sarasvati as the name of Guhya Kali 195 In the third chapter
of Mantra Mahodadhi it is mentioned that the Kali Mantra when given or
received bestows immediate success of speech 196.Sankaracharya extols Kali
in his Saundaryalahari as a knowledge-bestower goddesses and further
furnishes the information of Kalidasa as being the one who had obtained the
grace and the favour of the goddess to reach the peak of success
Sankaracharya, Saundaryalahari V.98
The Devibhagavata-purana mentions a special form of the goddess
Kali known as Mangala candi. The goddess Mangala candis the goddess who was
worshiped by Mangala or mars. It is beneficial to worship this goddess on
Tuesdays 204. According to astrology mars in ones horoscope brings
disturbance in one's marriage and married life. Hence Kali as fertility
goddess is propitiated on Tuesday by such people who have a weak Mangala in
their horoscope. In the Tantras we have a variety of description of Kali. She
is described as being naked, with tongue lolling out and 200 Skanda purana
Vol. II, 1, 26.13 201 Bhagavata purana 5.9.12-20 202 Linga purana
1.72.66-68 203 Kalika purana 63.96-98 204 Devi bhagavata Bk 9, Ch. XLVIII,
1-25 243
Minor goddesses out in shyness. She holds a trident, a
scimitar, in her hands. A luxiriant growth of hair hangs down and covers
her naked form. Mantra. There are ten types of Kali mantras from one
syllable to twenty two syllabled mentioned in the Mantra-mahodadhi . The
mono syllabled Kali mantra is- Krim. And, the twenty-two syllabled mantra
is as follows: rim Krim Krim Hum Hum Hrim Hrim Daksina Kalike Krim Krim
Krim Hum Hum Hrim Hrim Swaha. Yantra.
Minor goddesses Bhadrakali at Akhilandesvari temple wall painting.
She stands on a lion with three flaming bloodshot eyes and holding the
trident in her hands. Further is the mention of the different manifestations
of the goddess in different yugas and the slaying of the asura Mahisa215. •
In the first yuga she manifests as Ugracanda; . • In the second yuga she
incarnates as Bhadrakali and In the third yuga she appears as Durga and
slays Mahisasura. Ugracanda. It is a form of Bhadrakali in her fierce
aspect. In this form, the goddess has eighteen arms, i.e. two arms extra.
The weapons she holds are the same as the sixteen-armed Bhadrakali.
Minor goddesses Axe, discus, mace, bow and arrow, a shield, a conch,
a lance, a sling, a skull, and a sword 223. Mantra. A nine lettered seed
mantra is mentioned in the Devibhagavata-purana 224 which is as follows Aim
Hrim Klim Camundayai Vicche. Daksinakali. Daksinakali is the form of kali
image which is very beautiful and is seen blushing. The popular Kali image
worshipped in Bengal during the Navrartri pooja with tongue hanging out in
shame, auspicious to look at, draped in a saree is that of Daksinakali.
Such type of Kali was concieved by the great Sakta tantric, Sri
Punyanandanatha. It is said that the goddess herself revealed this form of
hers to Krisnananda at his request. Smasanakali. Kali worshipped in the
cementry, her temple is near the cemetery and she is refered to as Karala.
She is Devibhagavata-purana Bk.9, Ch.L 224 Devibhagavata-purana Bk.9, Ch.L
253
Minor goddesses Tillai-Kali. One special form of Kali is
Tillai-Kali, this goddess was defeated in a dance duet with Siva and
therefore was forced out of her original domain ie. Tillai or Chidambaram.
She was then housed at the outskirts of Chidambaram and the place is known
as Seerkalii. Iconographic details. The goddess is shown as having shabby
hair and in a dancing frenzy with a crown of fire flames. She may or may
not have weapons but the presence of protruding canine teeth is prominently
present.
The account of the origin of this goddess is mentioned in the
Kali-purana and the Matsya-purana The name Kausik is derived from the word
Kosa . It is said that when the goddess issued out from the interior of
Matanga rsi's wife's body. This energy or sakti was resplendent white,
which caused her to be called Kaushiki or the fair one. This Kaushiki is
white, a charming beauty and is ravishing. Kaushiki who is the breath of
Mahamaya is Yoga Nidra, the primary cause of cosmos. 2. Iconographic
details. The Kali-purana gives the following details about the goddess
Kaushiki: The hair of Kaushiki is tied as a braid and wound round her head.
The crescent moon is wound upside down over the tilaka. She wears a lot of
ornaments and also good smelling lotuses. She wears a yellow garment in
three-folds. She holds a trident, thunderbolt arrows, sword, lance, club,
bell, bow, hide, conch and shells. The Durga goddess sent Siva as her
ambassador to the court of the demon brothers Sumbha and Nisumbha.
Therefore, the goddess is called as Sivaduti or the one whose messenger of
Siva It is mentioned in the Kali-purana that the goddess Sivaduti out of
Kausiki's head through a meditation on lord Visnu sprang Physical
description. The physical traits of Sivaduti are as follows: She has four
arms; body is lustrous like vermilion and has red teeth. Among other
descriptions it is mentioned that she has long twisted hair, long nails and
snake necklaces. She has a rough face and thick lips. She is tall and
frightening; her right foot is placed on a corpse while the left foot is on
a jackal and she is surrounded by hundreds of jackals. Mount. The
Kali-purana mentions the seat as well as the mount of the goddess Sivaduti.
The goddess Sivaduti , stands above a lion on which a tiger skin is spread.
The lion is her mount while the tiger skin is her seat. Mantra. The worship
of Kali as Angala-amman (An-Kala-amman) or as Mariamman by every community
and almost in every house of Tamilnadu indicates her strong Dravidian
roots. The association of goddess Kali with Agni as its part highlights her
importance in status. The flaming tongue of Agni is later on carried to the
puranas, tantras and the classics where Kali is depicted as being dark-
Karala and her tongue lolling out to drink blood is mentioned. Her favorite
oblation is the victim's blood offered to her. She, as the goddess of
knowledge, facilitates the knowledge process by letting out the pure form
which is essentially white to issue and come out as Kaushiki, a virgin who
is fair complexioned.
K Rajaram IRS 11525
On Sat, 10 May 2025 at 19:31, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *SREE PALLIPURATHUKAVU DEVI TEMPLE,*
>
> *KOTTAYAM DISTRICT- KERALA*
>
> Dear friends,
>
> Today my posting is about Pallipurathu kavu devi temple, Kodimatha,
> Kottayam. My late two elder brothers (Periappa’s sons) were settled near
> the temple for long time. I have visited the temple a few times.
>
> *Kodimatha is the last stop for KSRTC buses from Trivandrum to Kottayam ,
> before reaching Kottayam bus stand.*
>
> Hope a divine reading.
>
> *Gopalakrishnan 10-5-2025*
>
> About Temple
>
> Pallipurathu Kavu, famous temple of Kottayam is very popular among the
> Hindu devotees of Kerala. The temple of Pallipurathu Kavu is dedicated to
> the Devi or Goddess Durga, who is referred to as 'Pallippurathamma' by
> worshipers. *The Pallipurathu Kavu Temple in Kottayam is owned by
> Kottarathil Sankunny, who was the writer of 'Aithihya Mala'*.
>
> The family of Puthettu is also known for having long relation with the
> temple and hence the family ancestors were given the title of
> *'Velichappadu'.*
>
> Pallipurathukavu Devi Kshetram is situated in the south of Kottayam town.
>
> Architecture
>
> Renowned for its traditional Kerala-style architecture, the temple is
> especially vibrant during the annual Kumbhaka Mahotsav, celebrated on the
> 10th day of Pathamudayya. This grand festival attracts numerous devotees
> who come to seek the blessings of the goddess. The temple's historical
> significance and serene setting make it a key spiritual destination in the
> region.
>
> About the deity
>
> Dedicated to Goddess Durga, popularly known as Pallippurathamma by the
> locales, is believed to be another form of Bhadra Kali. The temple is
> especially crowded on Fridays and Tuesdays, which are believed to be the
> days devoted to the Goddess.
>
> Poojas
>
> As in other Devi temples of Kerala
>
> Temple timings
>
> 5:00 AM -12:00 NOON, 17:30 PM-20:00PM
>
> Festivals
>
> Some of the notable festivals celebrated in Pallipurathu Kavu are
> *Pathamudayam
> and Vishu*. The first temple festival is Pathamudayam, which is held
> annually on 23rd April. *It has been noted that in this region, this
> festival is celebrated on a much larger scale than the Vishnu festival*.
> Kumbhakuta Mahotasva, another major festival of Kottayam, is celebrated
> on the tenth day of the Pathamudayam, which falls on the tenth day of the
> Malyalam month of Medam.
>
> One of the most attractive features of Pallipurathu Kavu is the ritual art
> form of '*Theeyattu*'. This traditional art is widely practiced at the
> temple. Pallipurathu Kavu Bhagavathy Temple or Bhadrakali, as it is
> popularly known is located in the southern part of the city, at
> *Kodimatha.*
>
> Theeyattu traditional form of dance performed which is a unique ritual
> performed in all the Bhadra Kali temples, especially in the southern part
> of India. Being one of the Kali temples, this dance is performed in the
> Pallippurathu Kavu Temple too.
>
> *Theeyattu in Bhadrakali temples* is performed by the Theeyaattunnis
> (like Tulu Brahmin community), known to be a sub-caste of the Ambalavasi
> community of Kerala.
>
> *This ritual is performed to avoid the epidemics, to control, origin, the
> spreading and the mortality of epidemics.*
>
> Garudan Thukkam at Pallipurathu Kavu Temple
>
> Another ritual performed particularly in the Kali temples; Gurudan Thukkam
> is performed at night in the Pallippurathu Kavu Temple. Garudan is the bird
> and the carrier of Lord Vishnu according to Hindu mythology; this ritual
> has its origin in Kerala.
>
> Offering
>
> Devotees perform Theeyattu in the Pallippurathu Kavu temple for the
> well-being of their family and as a token of thanks to Goddess for all the
> blessings received.
>
> *Specialty*
>
> *Despite of being dedicated to Hindu Goddess, devotees belonging to all
> walks of life visit the Pallipurathu Kavu Temple.*
>
> Address of the temple
>
> Pallipurathu kavu devi temple, Kodimatha, Kottayam, Kerala 686001 .Phone:
> 0481 258 4585, 090377 75630
>
> [email protected]
>
> How to Reach Pallipurathu Kavu Temple
>
> Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station is the nearest and buses
> are easily available which will take you to the Pallipurathu Kavu Temple.
>
> Nearest Airport: Nedumbassery Airport in Kochi which is around 80
> kilometers.
>
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