Devi Kumari Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 A.M. to 11.00 A.M.
Evening: 4.00 P.M. to 8.00 P.M.
Rarely can you see a temple in India which is located in a more picturesque location than the Goddess Bhagavathi Temple in Kanyakumari. At its location, three oceans meet: the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Another unique feature is that you can see sunrise and sunset from the same place; and on full moon days, sunset and moon rise can be seen at the same time.
The Goddess is also known as Devi Kanya Kumari, Kanya Devi, Devi Kumari, Kumari Amman, Shree Bhagavathy, Shree Baala Bhadra, Shree Baala. The meaning of Kanyakumari stands for Kanya means Virgin and Kumari means Girl.
There has been a Goddess temple at this place for over two thousand years. There is a legend about this temple. Banasura, a powerful demon, was harassing Devas and they sought the help of Lord Siva. Shiva invoked Shakti and Bhagavathi was incarnated. Hearing about her beauty, the demon wished to possess her. Though he was aware of his fate that he would be killed by a virgin, he threatened her, which resulted in a battle and finally the demon was killed. The incident is demonstrated at the temple during the Navarathri festival.
There is a rocky islet at about 183m from the coast. As per tradition, it was the original location of the temple. By the invasion of the sea, the rock became an islet, and hence the temple had to be moved to its present location. The rock has the mark of human foot on it which is admired as a symbol of the “Sripadam”. It is on this rock, Swami Vivekananda meditated, and a Vivekananda memorial has been built there.
The Devi stands as a charming young girl in her penance with a rosary in her right hand, and a sparkling nose jewel that sheds lustrous radiance. It is believed that the nose ring of Devi Kanyakumari set with rubies (The temple’s legend says that the nose ring was obtained from a king cobra) are so bright and that could be seen from far at night. Also it is told that some ships sailing in the sea, mistaking the brilliance of the rubies for the light from the Lighthouse, went off shore got wrecked, hitting against the rocks nearby. In this point of view eastern side gate of the temple is kept closed. The idol made of blue stone, is believed to have installed by sage Parshurama.
In December 1892 Swami Vivekananda has visited this Kumari Amman Temple to get the blessings of Devi, as directed by his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Amman Mantra Lyrics:
English: Amme Narayanaa! Devi Narayanaa! Lakshmi Narayanaa! Bhadre Narayanaa!
Tamil: அம்மே நாராயண! தேவி நாராயண! லட்சுமி நாராயண! பத்ரஏ நாராயண!
Malayalam: അമ്മെ നാരായണ! ദേവി നാരായണ! ലക്ഷ്മി നാരായണ! ഭദ്രേ നാരായണ!
Kannada: ಅಮ್ಮ ನಾರಾಯಣಿ! ದೇವಿ ನಾರಾಯಣಿ! ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ನಾರಾಯಣಿ! ಭದ್ರೇ ನಾರಾಯಣಿ!
Hindi: अम्मे नारायणा! देवी नारायणा! लक्ष्मी नारायणा! भद्रऎ नारायणा!
Festivals celebrated in Bhagavathi Temple:
Chitra Pournima Festival
Full moon day in May
Navarathri festival
Vaisakha festival
Kalabham festival
Kumari Amman Temple Address:
Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple,
Kanyakumari,
Tamil Nadu.
Phone: 4652 – 246223