The Kollemcode Shree Bhadhrakali Temple is a popular Hindu temple located in the village of Kollemcode in the Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Bhadhrakali, a form of the Hindu goddess Kali, who is considered to be the embodiment of female energy and the consort of Lord Shiva.
According to legend, the temple was established in ancient times by the Raja of Travancore, who ruled over the region of Kerala. The temple is believed to have been established in the 8th century AD, and is considered to be one of the oldest and most revered temples in the region.
The temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens and several smaller shrines dedicated to other deities such as Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. The temple also has a number of holy tanks and wells, which are believed to have medicinal properties and are used for ablutions by the devotees.
One of the main attractions of the Kollemcode Shree Bhadhrakali Temple is the annual festival of Navaratri, which is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. The festival is held in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October) and lasts for nine days. During the festival, the deity of Bhadhrakali is taken out in a grand procession and carried around the temple complex in a beautifully decorated chariot.
The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture, with a gopuram (tower) at the entrance and a series of smaller shrines within the complex. The main sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses the deity of Bhadhrakali, who is depicted in a fierce and terrifying posture with a garland of skulls around her neck and a sword in her hand.
kollemcode thookam
Kollemcode Thookam is an annual festival celebrated at the Kollemcode Shree Bhadhrakali Temple in the village of Kollemcode in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. The festival is held in honor of the Hindu goddess Bhadhrakali, who is revered as the patron deity of the temple.
The festival is held on the first day of the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam, which usually falls in the month of July. The festival is also known as the Thiruvonam Thookam, as it coincides with the Thiruvonam day of the Malayalam calendar.
The festival of Kollemcode Thookam is marked by a number of rituals and ceremonies, including the offering of special prayers and poojas to the deity of Bhadhrakali. Devotees from all over the region gather at the temple to participate in the celebrations and seek the blessings of the goddess.
One of the main highlights of the Kollemcode Thookam festival is the performance of the Thookam dance. The Thookam dance is a traditional dance form that is performed by a group of men who are possessed by the spirit of the goddess Bhadhrakali. The dancers are adorned in elaborate costumes and painted in bright colors, and they perform a series of ritualistic movements to the accompaniment of traditional music and drums.
The Thookam dance is a spectacular and awe-inspiring sight, and attracts a large number of visitors and tourists to the temple during the festival. The dance is considered to be an offering to the goddess and a way of seeking her blessings and protection.
The Kollemcode Thookam festival is an important cultural event in the region and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. The festival is a testament to the deep faith and devotion of the people of Kerala towards their deities and their rich cultural heritage. If you are visiting the region during the festival, make sure to visit the Kollemcode Shree Bhadhrakali Temple and witness the grandeur and beauty of the Kollemcode Thookam festival.