|
Bhagavathi Temple,
Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Few temples in India are more picturesquely located than
that of Goddess Bhagavathi in Kanyakumari. It stands where three oceans
meet: the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Sunrise and
sunset can be seen from the same place. On full moon days, sunsets and moon
rises can be seen at the same time.
There has been a temple of the Goddess at this place for
over two thousand years. According to the temple's purana, a powerful demon,
Banasura, was harassing the Devas. They sought Lord Siva's help. He invoked
sakti & created Bhagavathi. The demon, hearing of Her beauty, coveted Her,
though he knew it was ordained that a virgin would kill him. He threatened
her and a battle developed and ultimately the demon was killed. The incident
is depicted during the Navarathri festival at the temple.
About 183m from the coast there is a rocky island.
According to tradition, the temple stood there originally. When the sea
encroached, the rock became an islet, and the temple had to be removed to
its present site. The rock contains the mark of a human foot. This is
revered as a symbol of the "Sripadam" . It is on this rock that the
Vivekananda memorial has been built. |