Kumari Amman Temple - Kanyakumari

Kumari Amman Temple is 3000 years old temple dedicated to Goddess Kumari Amman located at Kanyakumari. Kumari Amman is one of the form of Devi, popularly known as “Kumari Bhagavathy Amman”. Kumari Bhagavathy Amman temple is the first Durga temple created by Lord Parasurama and one of the 108 Shakthi Peetas.

This temple is situated at the shore of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Kumari temple has been mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabaradha and Purananooru.

Swami Vivekananda , the modern Hindu Saint of India worshipped Her in December 1892 in Kanyakumari and from Her presence only decided to embark on the Missionary Work that his Master Sri Ramakrishna always directed him to do.

Swami Brahmananda  and Swami Nirmalananda  another two disciples of Sri Ramakrishna also worshiped Devi Kanyakumari and got Her blessings.

LEGENDS & BELIEFS :

Banasura, the demon, harassed Devas. Devas got to Lord Vishnu, who advised them to pray to Goddess Para-Sakthi, and Devas did a 'yagna' for her. The Goddess promised to destroy Banasura. It was pre-ordained that only a virgin-goddess could kill Banasura, so she arrived here as a Kumari (virgin) Kanya (girl) and started a penance before setting out to kill Banasura. Banasura heard of the virgin Goddess and came to take her by force. The Goddess exterminated him with her 'Chakrayutham'. Devas called upon her to remain there, protecting them forever.

Kumari Amman has a shining diamond nose ring and it is visible even from the sea. The temple story says that this nose ring was obtained from king cobra. The light reflect from this nose ring mislead the mariner in wrong way to lighthouse. To prevent this situation happening again, the eastern door of the temple is closed always. This door will be opened only on few special occasions.

TIMINGS :

The temple is open every day from 4.30 to 11.30 AM and 5.30 to 8.00 PM. Cameras and videos are not allowed inside the temple. Shirts are not allowed for men and must remove while entering into the temple.

Annual Festivals:

Car Festival – In tamil month of Vaikasi (May/June)
Navaratri – In tamil month of Puratasi (September/ October).