About "Maa Bhadrakali"

Bhadrakāli (Telugu: భద్రకాలి, Malayalam: ഭദ്രകാളി, Sanskrit: भद्रकाली), is one of the forms of the Great Goddess Devi mentioned in Devi Mahatmyam. Bhadra in Sanskrit means blessed, auspicious; fair, beautiful; good; fortunate, prosperous.[1]
Bhadrakali is the popular form of Devi worshiped in Kerala. In Kerala she is considered the auspicious and fortunate form of Kali.
She is generally considered the consort of Shiva in the form of Rudra. But there is also a story that 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-sacrifice).[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. Goddess Bhadrakali is the tutelary deity of the Nadar community of TamilNadu.[5]
Contents [hide]
1 Atharvana Bhadrakali
2 Folk Art ritual of Kerala and Bhadrakali
3 Priests of Bharakali temples
4 Famous Bhadrakali temples
5 References
[edit]Atharvana Bhadrakali

This form of Bhadrakali, who is also known as Prathyangira Devi, has become popular in Tamil Nadu during the last decade. This form is of Puranic origin. She is propitiated to ward off the effects of black magic.
[edit]Folk Art ritual of Kerala and Bhadrakali



Statue of Bhadrakali in Madurai Meenakshi Temple
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 small temples. Besides general welfare of the village, these rituals aim at warding off of such calamities like Small Pox and other epidemic diseases.
Themes generally revolve around the triumph of Bhadrakali over the demon Daruka (Daarikan) 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

Ezhavathy , a purohit community who were priests of all Bhadrakali temples in Kerala.
[edit]Famous Bhadrakali temples



Ma Bhadrakali Temple Ujjain


Mother Bhadrakali in a Temple in Itkhori
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 Kakatiyas warriors went off for battle.
Thirumandhamkunnu temple at Angadippuram, 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. This deity is said to be the protector of Gokarna.
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.
Bhadrakali Temple at Itkhori, Jharkhand [2].
Shri Mayura Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Bhadrakali Temple in Hanumangarh , Rajasthan
Shree Devi Bhadrakali Temple in Revandi north of Malvan, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.