Kaalimala
Shakti Peetam in South India
Kaalimala ( Kali's Mountain ) is hailed as one equivalent to Mount Kailash, a Shakti Peetam in South India. It is believed that Adi Parashakti the presiding deity manifests here as Kaali Devi (in her fearsome form) Kannika Devi (in her peaceful form) and Maaya Devi (as the unseen, unmanifest). Sage Agastiya is said to have gotten the vision of Sri Sastha at Kaalimala in the form of a young boy when in meditation.
Amongst the six Samayams (modes of worship) devised by Adi Sankaracharya, Shaktam is the means of worship that considers the Devi Goddess as the Supreme Self, the Adi Shakti as the primordial source from which everything manifests. At Kalimala, the all-pervading Divine energy is worshiped and venerated as the Feminine Mother of all creation.
Kaalimala Temple
The temple is located in Pathukaani town, on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in Kanyakumari district, about 46 kilometres from Nagercoil. The temple that now sits atop Kaalimala was built 45 years ago. For hundreds of years prior to the current structure's construction, the local people of the forest (Kaani tribe) worshipped the deity in the form of red stones by lighting diyas (lamps) and offering pushpam (flowers). These stones are currently situated beneath the platform within the sanctum, where the Devi statue has been placed.
Kaalimala holds great significance in preserving and celebrating the ancient traditions of the people of this land, which are a testament to the timeless wisdom of our forefathers. The pilgrimage to this sacred site has been passed down from generation to generation, keeping alive the customs and practices of our ancestors. The journey is a celebration of the enduring strength of our culture and the power of our faith. In a world that is constantly changing, Kaalimala stands as a reminder of our rich cultural heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations to come.
Varampodhimala - Kaalimala
The history of the temple at Kaalimala (formerly Varampodhimala) has mostly been passed down through the generations of Kaani tribe members via stories and oral traditions. The history of this temple is entwined with an incident from the Ithihasa "Ramayana," in which Rama and Lakshmana kill the demon Tataka at Sage Viswamitra's behest. (Note: The Sanskrit word 'itihasa' breaks as 'iti-ha-Asa,' which translates as events from history as they actually occurred.)
Suketu, a yaksha, performs a yagnya as he was childless, and is blessed with a daughter named Tataka who possesses the strength of 1000 elephants. Tataka's husband, Sunda, destroys the hermitage of Sage Agasthiya and is turned into ashes. Enraged by her husband's death, Tataka seeks revenge with the help of her sons Maricha and Subagu. However, Sage Agasthiya curses them all to take on ugly, threatening demonic forms and live amongst deadly creatures in the forest.
Tataka then performs penance and asks for a boon to have an invincible girl child who cannot be killed by any being from the three worlds. She is granted the boon and gives birth to Mamisa Patchini, who causes trouble to the inhabitants of the forest - the Kaani people. The Kaani people seek refuge with sage Agasthiya and perform a 12-year yagnya on his suggestion, during which they worship the Goddess Shakthi. The yagnya is performed by the Pilathi (one who performs prayers and rituals in accordance with the Kaani traditions) along with Mootu Kaani (eldest member of the tribe) and Vila Kaani (messenger of the tribe)
