Temples in India with restricted male entry: Unveiling the unique secrets
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Many temples in India are renowned for their divinity and sanctity. There are also temples where local festivals are celebrated on such a grand and elaborate scale that they become a key part of their identity. At the same time, there are temples where all of these things come together.
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is one such divine temple where Mother Bhagavathy is present in the sanctum sanctorum in the form of Goddess Bhadrakali and blesses the devotees with prosperity and salvation.
The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is located in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Goddess Bhadrakali is the main deity in this temple. This temple is also special because there is one day when men are prohibited from entering the temple. On the day of the Attukal Pongala festival, only women are allowed inside. On other days, both men and women are allowed inside. The Attukal Pongala festival lasts for 10 days and is attended by a large number of women.
The goddess Bhadrakali, enshrined in the temple, is considered the goddess of prosperity and salvation. Devotees believe that every wish made to her in this temple is fulfilled. Upon fulfillment, special rituals are performed for Bhadrakali. During the Pongal festival, women in the temple also perform special rituals for Bhadrakali.
The temple's architecture is also steeped in Tamil culture, blending traditional Tamil and Kerala architectural styles. The temple pillars bear beautiful carvings of Goddess Kali, Sri Parvati, Lord Shiva, and the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, adding to the temple's beauty.
According to the legend, one evening a man was crossing a river when a little girl asked him to help him cross. Impressed by the girl's radiance, the man heartily invited her to his home. The man made preparations for the girl's arrival, but the girl disappeared. Appearing in his dream, she told him about a place marked with three lines. She advised him to build a temple where the three lines were drawn on the hill. The next day, the man found three marks at the indicated spot. As word spread through the village, everyone joined together to build a temple dedicated to the goddess. The temple now houses a four-armed idol of Goddess Bhadrakali.