Balaambika Kanyashram - Sarvani / Kanyakumari Shakti Peeth

Balaambika Kanyashram or Kanya Ashram Kanyakumari is a Shakti Peeth in Tamil Nadu located on Cape Kanya Kumari. "Bhagavathy" is the popular name for the Goddess. In various parts of the world, the Goddess has known as Kanya Devi, Kanya Kumari, Bhadrakali, and so on. Kanyakumari is also one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India. It has believed that the backbone of Sati fell here.

Architecture

The temple is ancient. Lord Parshuram established the idol of Goddess Kanya Kumari. The architecture of the temple is about 3000 years old. But according to history, the present temple was built by the Pandya emperors in the 8th century.

The architecture of the Kanya Kumari temple is of the Dravidian style, with intricate carvings on black stone pillars. The temple has many domes with idols of deities like Ganesha, Suryadev, Ayyapa Swamy, Kaal Bhairav, Vijay Sundari and Bala Sundari etc. The temple complex has a well called Moola-Gangatheertham. Originally the temple's main gate was towards the east, which used to be open at some point, but now the entrance is done from the northern gate. The east gate opens only five times a year on the occasion of unique festivals. The legend behind the closure of the east entrance is that the diamond in the earring of the Goddess was very bright, and its shine spread far and wide. According to a legend, this diamond was dedicated to the Goddess by Sheshnag. The idol is beautifully crafted with blue stones, adding to its unique and mystical charm. One of the most remarkable sights is the depiction of the Devi as a young girl performing penance. It's truly a breathtaking attraction that draws visitors from all over.

Also Read: Shondesh Shakti Peeth

About Temple

There are 11 pilgrimage sites associated with the temple inside the temple. There are three sanctum sanatoriums, corridors and the main Navratri Mandap in the inner premises. Still, it is not so easy to understand them entirely or to stop and see them because the temple's structure from the inside is like a maze. The radiance of the temple's sanctum sanctorum mesmerizes the mind and dazzles the eyes. In the sanctum , hanging lamps with many wicks of the Southern style are lit; the adornment of the Goddess is also in the Southern style. The idol is adorned with long necklaces, naths and brightly bordered sari; the Goddess mesmerizes the onlooker.

Also Read: The Divine Power of 12 Jyotirlinga

Legend

The Goddess is commonly known here as Kumari Amman (meaning Amma). A demon named Banasura did severe penance and asked for immortality by pleasing Brahma, but the Lord said, 'You cannot get immortality, ask for something else.' So Banasura demanded that no one except a virgin girl kill him. As soon as he got the groom, Banasura started wreaking havoc on the earth and took the deities captive.

The distressed gods appeased Maa Bhagwati and narrated their woes. Accordingly, the Goddess took birth in the house of King Bharat as a girl. The king had eight sons and only one daughter, Kumari. When King Bharat divided his kingdom equally among all the children, the southern kingdom went to his daughter Kumari. Being the form of Parvati, it was natural that the desire to have Shiva as her husband arose in the mind of the Goddess. He did penance, and Bhole Shiva agreed to the marriage.

The marriage had Brahma Murhut i.e. before dawn. Shiv Shankar left Kailash with a wedding procession at night, and here, the deities got scared that if this marriage took place, then the killing of Banasura would be impossible. It was necessary to delay the arrival of Lord Shiva. Therefore, with the help of Narad Muni, the rooster crowed even before the break of dawn. Knowing this as a sign of the day, Lord Shiva returned to Kailash. Seeing the opportunity, Banasur wanted to marry this beautiful girl because of Shivji's absence forcefully. Goddess Kanya was in anger, and Banasura started troubling her; then, in the flame of anger, Tapati Devi fought with her, killing Banasura. Devi remained unmarried for life and efficiently started handling her kingdom of South. For this reason she came to be known as Kanyakumari.

Also Read: Mansa Devi

Festivals:

Chitra Poornima: Full Moon Day festival celebrated in May.
Navratri: Nine days festival celebrated in September - October.
Vaishakha Festival: Ten Days festival celebrated in May-June.
Kalabham Festival: The festival celebrated in July-August, in which idols have smeared in Sandal Paste.

Significance of Temple:

The power of the Goddess is said to be able to remove the hardness of the mind. When devotees pray to her with devotion and contemplation, it's common to feel tears welling up in their eyes or senses. It is believed that the goddess fullfills all wishes of her devotees.

Nearby Places to Visit:

There are many places of religious, historical and natural beauty around the city. There are also old churches in and around the city, then the view of the sea is made just by looking at it. It is the only place in the country to enjoy sunrise and sunset. Some amazing places to visit here are:

Tholavalai Temple
Vatakotai Fort
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Olkaruvi Falls
Lord Subrahmanyam Temple
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Thanumalayan Temple
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Thanumalayan Temple
Vattakottai Fort

Temple Timing: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: December To February

How to reach

Kanyakumari is conveniently connected by rail and road, making it easily accessible for travellers. Visitors can opt to travel here by train or bus from Chennai and Trivandrum, providing plenty of options for transportation. For those coming from Trivandrum, it is just 80 kilometres away, meaning its proximity makes it an ideal day trip destination.