Bhadrakali

In Kerala, where the worship of Bhadrakali is prevalent even today, she is worshipped most commonly as "Darikajit," the slayer of Darika, based on a story that originated in the Markandeya Purana, and is called the "Bhadrakali Mahatmyam" or "Darika-vadham".

The asura Darika was said to have a very chaste wife, Manodari, who had in her possession a special mantra that would keep her husband invincible, and thus her marriage forever safe. Darika used his newfound invincibility to torment the lokas and usurp the kingdom of the Devas. When Lord Shiva came to know about the misdeeds of demon Darika, he opened his fiery third eye and the massive ferocious form of Bhadrakali emerged (In this incarnation, the Goddess was not his wife, but her daughter.) Shiva ordered Bhadrakali to destroy Darika, with a Vetala as her vehicle.

However the Goddess found it impossible to kill the demon as he was ever in the protection of his wife's mantra chanting. The Goddess split her form into that of her fierce warrior self that continued to engage in combat and that of a common woman. The Goddess went to Manodari, claiming to be the wife of a soldier who was fighting for Darika in his army in the losing battle. With this, Manodari broke her chanting to console the worried woman, breaking Darika's broke invincibility shield. Kali immediately disappeared from Manodari's presence while on the battlefield she had already managed to injure Darika.

As Darika lay at her feet, about to be killed, he was said to have appealed to her motherly nature as a last resort, with faux praises and prayers. But the Devas gathered there began to sing praises to the Goddess (such as the mantra "Kante Kalatmaje Kaali, Kante Kali Namostute"), thus reminding the Goddess of the atrocities Darika had committed that caused her birth in the first place. Turning a bling eye to Darika's faux innocence, Bhadrakali severed his head and held it aloft in her left hand as she danced around in the battlefield.

But her anger would not succumb and so the Devas invoked Lord Shiva to intervene and calm Kali down, as when in anger Kali had the tendency to reduce the universe into nothingness. Shiva lay in her path as a crying baby and this time (Gandakarna), Kali's true motherliness was awakened. A now calm Kali expressed her wish to stay at the spot and protect the local people till the end of time. The spot where she remained is said to be the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple. Bhadrakali at Kodungallur still remains one of her 3 most auspicious temples in Kerala, along with Thirumandhamkunnu Temple and Parumala Valiya Panayannarkavu Devi Temple. It is also listed as one of the 13 'kaavu' temples of Kali and as one of the main 64 Bhadrakali temples in Kerala.

Another version of the Bhadrakali story is from the Devi Mahatmyam of the Markandeya Purana, during the battle between Raktabija and Goddess Kaushiki (Durga). Kali was born from the wrath of Goddess Kaushiki, from her forehead. She slew Chanda & Munda and earned the epithet 'Chamundi'. She also slayed the demon Raktabija, which is her most famous feat. This Chamundi-Kali form is said to be the leader of the Sapta-Matrikas and is the most popular form of the Goddess in Northern India.

Another popular story on Bhadrakali is associated with Daksha and his yajna, according to the Shiva Purana, Vayu Purana and the Mahabharata. Goddess Bhadrakali was born from the matted locks of Shiva's hair. He ordered her to free Veerabhadra who was imprisoned by Lord Vishnu, as the latter was protecting Daksha. She succeeds and is later heard of as assisting in Daksha's assassination, and hence earned the title 'Dakshajit'.

According to the Kalika Purana, Bhadrakali is said to have appeared in Treta yuga to slay the 2nd out of the 4 Mahishasuras. It is believed that when the 3rd Mahishasura wished to know how he would die, he was given a vision of the fair-skinned Bhadrakali who rose out of the milky ocean and slew him in his previous incarnation. He asked to die again at her hands and the Goddess promised that she would incarnate as the 18 armed Mahishasura Mardini (the account detailed in the Devi Mahatmyam) and slay him. This version of Bhadrakali is worshiped as 'Mahishajit'.

According to the Varaha Purana, the Goddess Roudri (assumed to be equivalent to Goddess Parvati and Maheshwari) was meditating at the foot of the Neeli mountain. She came across the Devas who were fleeing, unable to bear the atrocities of the demon Ruru. Angered by the injustice she witnessed, Roudri created Bhadrakali from the embers of her rage and sent her to kill Ruru. Bhadrakali successfully did so and was awarded the epithet 'Rurujit'.

According to Tantra Rahasya, the feminine form of the divine (Devi) arose from the North (Uttaramnaya) face (Amnayas) of Shiva, which is blue in color and with three eyes, as Dakshinakalika, Mahakali, Guhyakah, Smashanakalika, Bhadrakali, Ekajata, Ugratara, Taritni, Katyayani, Chhinnamasta, Nilasarasvati, Durga, Jayadurga, Navadurga, Vashuli, Dhumavati, Vishalakshi, Gauri, Bagalamukhi, Pratyangira, Matangi, and Mahishamardini.[4]

• Bhadrakali mata temple at village Kolar tehsil Paonta Sahib, district Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh. It is 22 km from paonta sahib on NH72. The idol in this temple is huge. The temple is being visited by pilgrims. Hindu labana caste worship Maa bhadarkali.

• There is a famous Bhadrakali temple in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is believed that she protects the city, hence the position of the temple is near the city fort.

Also second temple situated at Bhadran in Anand district.[11]

• Bhadrakali temple at Itkhori, Chatra. It is 35 km on the East of Chatra and 16 km west of Chauparan connected with Grand Trunk Road. Along with the temple situated on the bank of river Mahanada (Mahane), surrounded by hill and forest, there is a water reservoir.[12]

• Sree Bhadrakali Amma Temple, Bellur- Hudikeri, South Kodagu
• Shree Prasanna Bhadrakaali Devi Temple, Gejjagadahalli, Dasanapura Hobli, Shivanapura Post, Off Tumakuru Road, Bengaluru 562123

• Anicad Sree Bhagavathi Temple – located at Anicad, Kottayam district
• Chettikulangara Devi Temple, near Mavelikkara, Kerala.
• Kalarivathukkal Temple, Kannur, Kerala; the fierce form of Bhadrakali, as the mother of the martial art Kalaripayattu. Theyyam the folk dance in Malabar starts with the permission of the Chirakkal Raja and the final theyyam in entire Kerala is in Kalarivathukkal Temple. The rituals are in Sakteya method.
• Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Thrissur, Kerala; is one of the oldest temple in India built during the Sangam age. Mahodayapuram (Kodungallur) was the capital of the Chera Empire which ruled Kerala. Shri Bhadrakali in her fierce form is worshipped along with Mahadevar(Siva) and Saptamathrukkal.
• Thiruvarkadu Bhagavaty Temple in Payangadi, Kannur, Kerala is the first and foremost Bhadrakali Temple at a place believed to be the fortress of Darukasura. Bhadrakali beheaded Darika here. The Shakteya Sampradaya pooja is well known here. It is done by Bhattarakas (Pidararas) who are migrant priests from Kashmir and Bengal. The idol of Bhadrakali is around 6 feet tall and is portrayed in the form of slaying Daruka. Tiruvarkattu Bahagavaty Temple is famous for the removal of black magic.
• Malayalappuzha Devi Temple, in Pathanamthitta
• Panayannarkavu, near Mavelikkara, Kerala
• Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple in Thrissur.
• Pathirakali Amman Temple, Trincomalee, is on Konesar Road, near Swami Rock (Konamalai), home of Koneswaram temple
• Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple – a highly famous revered shrine in Kerala, India. The shrine is in Mullassery. It is 1.5 kilometres (0.93 miles) from Karakulam.
• Pattupurackal Bhagavathy temple, Vadakkenirappu, Njeezhoor, Kottayam, Kerala
• Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Pandalam
• Sarkaradevi Temple Sarkara, Chirayinkeezh, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala ( Sree Sarkara Devi Temple is one of the oldest Bhadrakali temple in Kerala. Sarkara Pongala, Sarkara Kaliyoottu and Sarkara Bharani are famous festivals in this temple.These three festivals are with in two months in every year ! Lakhs of people participates in these three festivals.
• Thirumandhamkunnu Temple at Angadippuram, Kerala; A famous temple of Shri Bhadrakali,Lord Ganesha near bagawathy is for child and marriage.
• Thirumandhamkunnu Temple, angadipuram, malappuram dist
• Thrikkariyoor Kottekkavu Bhagavathi Temple at Kottappady near Kothamangalam one of the oldest of kali temples and famous for the Muduyet ritual held once in every 12 years "Garudan Thookkam on "Meena Bharani","Sathrutha samhara pooja" and "."Rakhshassinum sarpathinum padmamittu nivediam".
• Vazhappully temple, Vazhappully Temple in Thrissur, Kerala is a Hindu Temple famous for Guruthi Pooja for Goddess Kali. Guruthi Pooja at Vazhappully Temple is offered for the fierce form of Goddess Kali at Night. During Guruthi pooja the guruthi is offered to the Goddess. Guruthi is a creamed mixture of Turmeric, slaked lime and other pooja ingredients. Guruthi represents blood which is vitality.
• Vellayani Devi Temple, Trivandrum, Kerala. One of the most famous Bhadrakali temple, situated at Vellayani, Trivandrum, Kerala conducting longest non-pilgrimage festival in India (60 days of festival once in 3 years). Idol in this temple is very huge and made up of pure gold. Temple is very ancient and it is calculated as 800 years old. The temple is entirely different from other temples due to its traditional rituals.

• Aliyavoor Elluvila Devi Temple, Kanjikal, Powdikonam PO, Trivandrum, Kerala
• Azhoor Bhagavathy Temple, Azhoor, Thiruvananthapuram.
• Bharanikavu temple, kattanam, near mavelikara, alappuzha
• Chilambil Bhagavathy Temple, Chilambil, Thiruvananthapuram.
• Elangavath kavu – Moovatupuzha, Eranakulam dist. kerala
• Kadakambil Bhadrakaali Devi Temple, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram. The temple worships more than 30 deities. The main deity being Goddess Bhadrakaali, daughter of Lord Shiva. The temple is open almost everyday, and offers a hearty welcome to all beings, regardless of cast and creed.
• Kadinamkulam Padickavilakom Bharanicadu Sree Bhagavathi Temple – Bhadrakali temple located in Kadinamkulam. The festival starts on the Shivrathri day of every year.
• Kali temple, Pavumba, known as 'Pavumba Kali' near Karunagappally.
• Kariyam Devi Temple, Kariyam, Sreekariyam, Trivandrum, Kerala
• Kattal Sree Bhadrakali Devi temple, situated Kattakada town in Trivandrum district.
• Kodimatha Pallipurathu Kavu Bhagavathy Temple
• kunnathur Eyampattu Sri Bhadrakali Devi Temple, located at kunnathur village kollam district.
• Kunninmelkkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Ezhumanthuruth, (Kottayam).
• Malayil Sree Mahaakali Temple, Perumugham 673631, Ramanattukara, Kozhikode. Shri Bhadrakali in her fierce form is worshipped.
• Mannathara Sree Bhadra Devi Temple, SNDP 482, Neeñdakara North, Kollam district
• Mathur mannampully kali Bagavathi Temple in Palakkad.
• Mulluthara Devi Temple, Sree Bhadra Kali & Kariam Kali Moorthi devis – Adoor, Malamekkara, Pathanamthitta, Kerala
• Nanatty Bhagavathy vishnumaya temple 4 km FROM CHALAKUDY, THRISSUR DISTRICT, KERALA
• Padikkavilakam Bhagavathy Temple,[13] North Kariyil, Kazhakuttom, Trivandrum, Kerala
• Pongini Sree Bhadrakali Paradhevatha Pullimalamma Temple, Wayanad, Kerala. One of the most famous Bhadrakali temple in North Kerala, situated at Pongini, Wayanad, Kerala. The temple is a complex of Shrines situated in a hilly area. The name "pongini" (pongi née) indicates that this deity was a "swayambhoo" (self existent).
• kundamoozhi sree bhadrakali devi temple'vilappilsala'thiruvananthapuram.
• Rajarajeshwari Temple, Perunguzhi, Thiruvananthapuram.
• Sree Pisharikavu Temple, Koyilandy, Kozhikode. Pisharikavu Temple is a temple located at Koyilandy, Kozhikode district, North Malabar region of Kerala state of south India.
• Valiyaveedu Devi Temple, Kariyam, Sreekariyam, Trivandrum, Kerala
• Vellanadu Bhagavathi Temple , trivandrum
• Villumangalam bhadrakali temple, kadavoor, kollam, kerala
• Nakrancode bhadrakali temple, avanavancheri(aavanancheri),attingal,trivandrum,kerala

Kottangal Devi khesthram, Pathanamthitta

• Ma Bhadrakali Temple Ujjain
• Ma Bhadrakali Temple, Badaura Kala in Chhatarpur District

• Bhadrakali Temple in village Aharapada, 8 km away from Bhadrak, Bhadrak district[14]

• Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh
• A temple of Bhadrakali is found at a place called Bajna at a distance of 36 km from Ratlam city in Malwa region. This Bhadrakali temple is of the period of Parmara rulers and known as Garhkhankhai or Gadhkhankhai mataji. This temple is situated in dense forested area of the valley at the sangam of Karan river and Mahi river. Raja Bhoj constructed this temple. This place is also recognized as shaktipitha in India. The excavations at this site has produced rare idols of Shiva in yoga pose, Lakshmi, Gajasursanhar, Surya and Nataraja.
• The world-famous 'Tripurasundari ma' temple at a distance of 60 km from this Bajna temple is situated at village Talwada in Banswara district in Rajasthan. An inscription of 1540 AD found here reveals that this temple was constructed prior to the rule of Kanishka. Some people believe it to be constructed before the 3rd century AD. There was a very ancient place here known as 'Garhpoli' which is called as 'Umarai' at present. Excavations in 1982 at this place have produced idols of Shiva with Parvati on his thigh. Ganesha and Kartikeya are seated on both sides.[15][16]

Thoothukudi, Sivagnanapuram, Arulmigu Bhadrakali Amman

Bhadrakali Amman in Sivakasi

Kanyakumari :- Sri Bhadreshwari Amman Temple at Kannathankuzhi is one of the very old and powerful temple worshipped by renowned Nadar family of Pandaram Nadar, Maathan, Sangili, Padmanabhan Nadars.

• Thoothukudi, Poobalarayerpuram, Arulmigu Bhadrakali Amman Kovil – Amman kodai – Chithirai Last Tuesday, Dasara Car Festival.
• Thoothukudi, Sivagnanapuram, Arulmigu Bhadrakali Amman Kovil – Amman kodai – Avani First Tuesday, Samy kodai – Panguni First Friday.
• Vadamattam - 612201, Near Kumbakonam, Arulmigu Sree Vadapathirakali, facing north with Hongara roopam, Perumal molavar.
• Theni Pathirakalipuram, Pathirakalipuram Arulmigu Bhadrakali Amman Kovil – Amman kodai – Chithirai 3rd Tuesday.
• Sivakasi, Arulmigu Bhadrakali Amman Kovil.
• Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Arulmigu Vana-Bhadrakali Amman Kovil.
• Madurai, Madapuram, sri bhadrakaliamman kovil.
• sivagangai, kolangudi, sri vettudayar kaliamman kovil.
• sivagangai, kandipatti, sri kaliamman kovil.
• Thoothukudi, sindhalakarai, sri vekkaliamman kovil.
• Trichy, oorayur, sri vekkaliamman kovil.
• Madurai, mudakusalai, sri kaliamman kovil.
• Rajapalayam, pachamadam, Arulmigu pachamadam Bhadrakali Amman Kovil .
• Chengalpattu, Hanumanthapuram, Pidari Badhra Kaliamman Koil
• Palamedu,Madurai,Pathirakalli Amman temple
• Madurai,Veeralampatti,Badrakalli Amman temple.
• Ramanathapuram, Thamaraikulam ,sri bhadrakali amman temple - Folk festival - puratasi month navratri days
• Nagapattinam, Sri Maha Ruthrakaliyammbal Temple - Chithra Pournami Thiruvizha

Shri Kodungallur Bhagavathy

• Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal, Telangana. Bhadrakali (Maha Kali Mata) was the principal deity of the Hindu Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal (Orugallu or Ekasila nagaram) that ruled most of Andhra Pradesh during that period. Rituals and animal (and human, by some accounts) sacrifices on a large scale were performed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Bhadrakali before the Kakatiya warriors went off for battle. As per the writings on the temple wall this temple is believed to be constructed by the King Pulakeshin II of Chalukya dynasty around 625 CE.

• Bhadrakali temple is in Bhadras, Ghatampur, Kanpur.

• Bhadrakali Temple, Banspatan-Kanda road, Kanda, Uttarakhand, District Bageshwar, Uttarakhand.An ancient temple situated near a scenic waterfall. Pant Brahmins from Khantoli are the traditional priests.[17]

• Kalighat Kali Temple, Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple in West Bengal, India dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The temple is visited by pilgrims from all over India irrespective of sectarian differences. Kalighat is also associated with the worship offered to Kali by a Dasanami Monk by name Chowranga Giri, and the Chowringee area of Calcutta is said to have been named after him.