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)
Shakthi takes the form of a young girl and lures Mamisa Patchini before transforming into Badrakaali and killing her with a spear. The place where the demoness was slain is called Sulamkutthi. The Kaani people offer prayers to the goddess seeking her blessings upon which 'She' drops her fearsome (Ugra Roopam) form and reveals a more pacified, benevolent form (Prasanna Roopam) to her devotees. As a result, Varampodhimalai is now known as Kaalimalai - the abode of goddess Kaali.
Festivals and Pujas at Kaalimala
The celebration of Durga Ashtami at Kaalimala lasts for four days, and pilgrims from different parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala participate in the pujas and festivities. They take up 41 days of austerity and travel for 3 days from Kanyakumari to Kaalimala.
They carry with them pots of holy water from the Triveni Sangamam at Kanyakumari (meeting point of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal), sandal paste, milk, honey, basmam (or) vibhuti (holy ash) as an offering to the deity at Kaalimala for abhishekam (annointment)
Traveling in groups, they stay overnight at designated temples along the way, worshiping the deity and attending morning pujas before continuing their journey. The night before Durga Ashtami, they stay at a Shiva temple in Pathukani, a village at the foothills of Kaalimala, and start their climb on the morning of Durga Ashtami after performing special pujas and offerings to Shiva and Devi. Upon reaching Kaalimala, they perform abhishekam and puja, and place the trident that they have been carrying, known as Sulam, at Sulamkutthi.
Durga Ashtami
Chitra Pournami
At Kaalimalai, Chitra Pournami Thiruvizha is one of the most important festivals and is celebrated by thousands of devotees across a span of 7 days. Chitra pournami is the full moon that appears during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May). It is on this day that Goddess Devi having taken the form of Badrakaali slayed the demon Mamisa Patchini to protect the Kaani people and their land. It is said that more than 60,000 people visit Kaalimala on just this one day. The devotees offer Pongala (rice, daal preparation common in Tamil Nadu) and Payasam (rice kheer) as Neivedhyam (an offering made to the divine as an expression of gratitude) and seek her blessings and protection. On the 7th day, Kaaliyuttu a very rarely performed puja in many of the temples happens here at Kaalimala. It is such an amazing sight to watch the festivities and celebrations
Every Sunday devotees are offered Kanji (rice gruel) as prasadam, every 3rd Sunday of the month a more elaborate meal is served as Annadhanam (food given as charity) in accordance with the wish of the deity that no one of her devotees should go back hungry.
The locals also have Namakaranam (naming ceremony) and Annaprashnam (food ceremony) done for their newborn children at this temple. During the time of Thirvizha (temple festivities), an exclusive form of worship called ‘Saatrupaadu’ (praises/hymns sung in the form of songs) happens at this temple in honor of all the devas. This form of worship is known only to a select few amongst the Kaani people blessed with this Siddhi (that which is received by the grace of the divine as a gift)
At Kaalimala, all prayers and offerings are done in the traditional way of worship practiced for generations by the Kaani people. The ceremonies, and prayers, are performed with more emphasis on the devotional aspect of worship rather than mantra chanting, or more common ritualistic practice.
Monthly Pujas and Ceremonies
King Marthanda Varma's gift to Kaani People
When Rajah Rama Varma, who governed the kingdom of Venad (later known as the Travancore kingdom and eventually the state of Kerala) passed away, the king's nephew Anusham Thirunal Marthandavarma was declared the heir to the kingdom in accordance with the then-current tradition of marumakkal thayam (matrilineal system of inheritance). The sons of Raja Varma opposed this tradition and sought to ascend to the throne with the help of Ettu Veetu Pillaimaar. As a result, there was internal strife in the country and multiple attempts were made to assassinate Marthanda Varma. He then fled into the Kaani tribe's woodlands and hid there for several months in an effort to save his life.
It is said that during this time, Lord Sastha manifested as a kid and showed Marthanda Varma a cave where he could hide. Moreover, the goddess Kaali appeared in the dream of the Mootu Kaani directing him to protect Marthanda Varma while he was in hiding. The Kaani populace takes the utmost care of him, giving him food, shelter, and security. Later on, they assist him in securing a safe route to the Pandyan realm, where he forms a coalition, overthrows the internal coop, and usurps Venad's crown. The king gave the Kaani tribe possession of 600 acres of land via a Chembu Pattayam (land ownership document) as an act of gratitude for their devotion and care
