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| Bhadrakali | |
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 Bhadrakali, circa 1675 painting; made in: India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli, now placed in LACMA Museum (M.72.53.7) |
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| Destruction | |
| Devanagari | भद्रकालि |
| Sanskrit Transliteration | भद्रकालि |
| Tamil script | பத்ரகாளி |
| Affiliation | Devi |
| Consort | Rudra |
Bhadrakāli (Tamil: பத்ரகாளி, Telugu: భద్రకాళి, Malayalam: ഭദ്രകാളി, Sanskrit: भद्रकाली), is one of the forms of the Great Goddess (Devi) mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Sanskrit, the word Bhadra means "blessed", "auspicious", "fair", "beautiful", "good", "fortunate", "prosperous".[1]
Bhadrakali is the popular form of Devi worshipped in Kerala. In Kerala she is seen as the auspicious and fortunate form of Kali.
She is generally considered the consort of Shiva in the form of Rudra. Other sources state she is the consort of Virabhadra, who was himself born of the wrath of Rudra.[2]
According to Vayu Purana and the Mahabharata, she came into being by Devi's wrath, when Daksha insulted Shiva, during the great Ashvamedha Yagna (Horse-worship).[2][3]
According to Tantra Rahasya, she arose from the North (Uttaramnaya) face (Amnayas) of Shiva, which is blue in color and with three eyes.[4]
It is believed that Bhadrakāli was a local deity that was assimilated into the mainstream Hinduism, particularly into Shaiva mythology. She is represented with three eyes, and four, twelve or eighteen hands. She carries a number of weapons, with flames flowing from her head, and a small tusk protruding from her mouth.
Some communities, like the Kodavas and Nairs, worship this deity. They worship certain weapons at their temples which they believe to be the weapons used by the goddess Bhadrakali. Bhadrakali is also the tutelary deity of the Nadar community of Tamil Nadu.[5]
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[edit] Atharvana Bhadrakali
This form of Bhadrakali, who is also known as Prathyangira Devi, has become popular in Tamil Nadu during the last decade. She is propitiated to ward off the effects of black magic.
[edit] Folk Art ritual of Kerala and Bhadrakali
Kerala has a tradition of folk artist rituals associated with worship of Devi in the form of Bhadrakali. Though the deity is often referred to as Kali, it is the Bhadrakali form.
These rituals are performed in places of worship called "Kavu" (roughly translated as grove) or in small temples. Besides the general welfare of the village, these rituals aim at warding off of such calamities like smallpox and other epidemic diseases. The ritual themes generally revolve around the triumph of Bhadrakali over the demon Daruka and other evil characters.
The dance forms are:
1. Theyyam
2. Theeyattu
3. Patayani
4. Poothanumthirayum
5. Mudiyettu
6. Kuthiyottam
7. Kettukazcha
[edit] Priests of Bharakali temples
The Ezhavathy are a purohit community who serve as priests in all of the Bhadrakali temples in Kerala.
[edit] Famous Bhadrakali temples
- The ancient Bhadrakali Temple in Hanamakonda (Warangal), Andhra Pradesh. Bhadrakali (Maha Kali Mata) was the principal deity of the Hindu Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal (Oragallu or Ekashilanagaram) 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.
- Madayi Thiruvarkkattu Bhagavati temple at Payangadi, Kannur Dt, Kerala is the first and foremost Bhadrakali Temple at a place believed to be the fortress of Darukasura. Bhadrakali beheaded Daruka here. The Shakteya Sampradaya pooja is well known here. It is done by Bhattarakas (Pdiraras) 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.
- Thirumandhamkunnu temple at Angadippuram, Kerala
- Manapullikavu Bhagavathy Temple at East Yakkara, Palakkad, Kerala
- Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple at Kodungallur, Kerala
- Bhadrakali Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
- Chettikulangara Devi Temple, near Mavelikkara, Kerala
- Panayannarkavu, near Mavelikkara, Kerala
- Kadinamkulam Padickavilakom Bharanicadu Sree Bhagavathi Temple in Kerala
- Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi temple, Pandalam
- Another 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 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 place 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[who?] believe it to be constructed before 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.[6]
- Bhadrakali Temple at Bhadran, Gujarat.
- Bhadrakali Temple in Gokarna Karnataka. This deity is said to be the protector of Gokarna, and is a part of the Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna complex.
- Bhadrakali Temple in Kurushetra, Haryana is one of the oldest temple where Shreekrishna and Balram had their Mundan ceremony
- Bhadrakali Temple in Bhadrak,is one one of the oldest shakti shrine of Orissa.The name of this ancient town derived from the name of goddess Bhadrakali.
- Bhagwati Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth Ashram, Rajaldesar, Churu, Rajasthan.
- Shri Mayura Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Bhadrakali Temple in Hanumangarh , Rajasthan
- Shree Devi Bhadrakali Temple in Revandi north of Malvan, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
- Pathirakali Amman Temple, Trincomalee, is on Konesar Road, near Swami Rock (Konamalai), home of Koneswaram temple
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bhadrakali |
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b the Horse-worship of the Prajapati Daksha The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 -1896], Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. p. 317. “I am known by the name of Virabhadra’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess.”
- ^ Vishnu Purana SACRIFICE OF DAKSHA (From the Vayu Purana.) The Vishnu Purana, translated by Horace Hayman Wilson, 1840. p. 62, "In former times, Daksha commenced a holy sacrifice on the side of Himaván, at the sacred spot Gangadwara, frequented by the Rishis. The gods, desirous of assisting at this solemn rite, came, with Indra at their head, to Mahadeva, and intimated their purpose; and having received his permission, departed in their splendid chariots to Gangadwára, as tradition reports.” 62:2 The Linga (Purana) is more precise, calling it Kanakhala, which is the village still called Kankhal, near Haridwar. p. 68 I am called Virabhadra, the issue of the wrath of Rudra. Bhadrakálí also, who has sprung from the anger of Devi…
- ^ Shakti and Shâkta by Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe), [1918], Chapter Six Shakti and Shakta. “4) The face in the North is blue in color and with three eyes. By this face, I revealed the Devis, Dakshinakalika, Mahakali, Guhyakah, Smashanakalika, Bhadrakali, Ekajata, Ugratara, Taritni, Katyayani, Chhinnamasta, Nilasarasvati, Durga, Jayadurga, Navadurga, Vashuli, Dhumavati, Vishalakshi, Gauri, Bagalamukhi, Pratyangira, Matangi, Mahishamardini, their rites and Mantras.”
- ^ Robert L. Hardgrave (1969). The Nadars of Tamilnad: The Political Culture of a Community in Change. University of California Press. pp. 38. ISBN 81-7304-701-4.
- ^ Amit Nigam: Ratlam ki Tripura sundari, Democratic World, 28 December 2006
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
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