Vakkra Kaali Amman Temple

Overview

Thiruvakkarai or Tiruvakkarai is situated about thirty kilometres from Pondicherry. Thiruvakkarai is famous for three places, they are: National Fossil Wood Park: It is located 1 km east of Tiruvakkarai village on the road between Tindivanam and Pondicherry. National Fossil Wood Park is India’s first wood fossil park, maintained by the Geological survey of India. More than 40 to 50 million year old wood fossils are scattered over 247 acres, a small portion is open to the public. The Mailam Murugan temple: The Mailam Murugan temple is located 10 kilometers from Tiruvakkarai, 45 km from Puducherry. It is atop a small hillock. It is believed that the place was where Lord Murugan freed a celestial being from a long standing curse. The Vakkara Kali Amman is an ancient temple of 12th century AD. The prime attraction of this temple is a shrine dedicated to the powerful Goddess Kali, the slayer of evil. This stunning piece of sculpture of the angry goddess consists of 8 arms. It stands in a slightly tilted posture.

About The Temple

The Chandra Mouleeswarar temple, situated on 10 acres of land, was built by King Aditya Chozha. If anyone affected by the grahaas comes and worships Vakrakaali, Vakralingam, and Vakra Sani Bhagawan here, they will be rid of the troubles and the sorrows and lead a happy and peaceful life. As soon as one crosses the rajagopuram, one can see the sanctum sanctorum of Vakrakaali. She appears with a skull on her head as crown, a dead foetus on her right ear, and has eight hands. She blesses her devotees with one leg folded on the peetam and the other hanging down. Full Moon days are special for this Goddess and devotees throng here to worship Her on this day. On the right side of Kaali, is the Yogeshwara Lingam, and on Her left is Valampuri Vinayaka. As it is the tradition to establish one Valampuri Vinayaka for every 108 Shivalayas, if one sees one, it is equivalent to seeing 108 Vinayakas in the Shivalayas. To the opposite side of the Kaali temple is the sanctum sanctorum of the Aathmalingam. As the demon worshipped with this lingam, it is also called as vakralingam. The lingam feels cool to touch during summer and droplets of water are found during rainy season. Lord Siva’s name is ‘Pirai Soodiya Peruman’ and He is also called Chandra Mouleeswarar. The Lingam here is the Gnanalingam and has three faces (Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva).

The east face is known as Thatpurudam, north face is known as Vaamadevam and the south face is known as Agoram. Pooja is done for the Thatpurudam with turmeric smeared on the face at dawn; at noon, sandal is smeared on the face of Vaamadevam, and in the evening, the face of Agoram is smeared with saffron powder (kungumam). Lord Nataraja’s sanctum sanctorum is at the back of Pirai Soodiya Perumal’s sanctum sanctorum. The Lord is found dancing the ‘Rudra Tandavam’ where His left foot is planted on the ground and right feet lifted up (usually He stands with His right foot lifted and left foot on the ground). The idol of a six feet tall Lord Varadharaja Perumal can be seen in a separate temple and it is said He appeared before His devotees after killing the demon at this place. Behind the Perumal’s sanctum sanctorum is the Sahasralingam. The distinctive feature of this Lingam is that it has 1,008 Lingams carved on the main Lingam. Amirthambikai is the name of the Ambal here.

History of Thiruvakkarai

As the name suggests everything in this temple defies the norm and if you go around the temple and see that a deviation has been made in both creations of idols, in their installation as well as in observing the rules of Vastu Shastra. The temple is more famous for the unique temple of Vakkara Kali, which is one of the few well-known Kali temples of India. As we pass through the Rajagopuram, we can find the shrine of Vakkara Kali on the left. In front of this small shrine one can find the granite idols of two girls with their attractive hairstyle associated with 'Gandhara school of Art' (the Indo-Greek School of art, the specimens of which are very rarely found in South India). The sculptural beauty of these idols will lead one to think as though these are the divine creations. The image of Vakkara Kali is of magnificent size with its inherent divinity. She is adorned with a crown with a skull mounted at the top of the crown, with a backdrop of 'flames' surrounding it. In her right ear the Goddess is wearing prethakundalam (ghost earring) and in the left ear a 'bhadra kundalam' (noble earring).

The eight-armed vakkara kali's right side hands are adorned with weapons like Paasam (rope), Chakkaram (wheel), Vaal (sword) and Kattari (knife) and left side hands are adorned with Udukkai (hand-drum), Kedayam (shield) and Kabalam (human skull). The posture of one of the hands is with its index finger pointing towards the earth. The Kali is wearing a garland made of skulls of the vanquished enemies. The garland is worn in the form of a sacred thread worn by Brahmins like a cross belt, from the left shoulder down to the right hand stretched below. The garland of human skulls is three-dimensional and can be seen from the backside also. The Kali is having large sized teeth and big eyes with a sign of anger and is slightly looking downwards. The type of sculptural work adopted for this idol is similar to those of the period of Pallavas. The idols of Saptha Kanyas (seven virgins) are installed on both side of Vakkara Kali.

The Holy waters which purify the devotees coming to the temple flow in the rivers Sankaraparani and Thamrai Thotra Pushkarani. The Holy tree of the place is Vilva Maram (Bilwa tree). A visit to this temple is supposed to bring a lot of mental peace to those who are unhappy and discontented in life. This is supposed to be an ideal place for those who undergo hardships in life because of the unfavourable (Vakkara) position of the planets (Grahas). Opposite to the shrine of Vakkara Kali, there is a shrine facing west with a Shiva Lingham known as Kanda Lingam. This Lingam was the favorite deity of Vakkarasura and was worshipped by him. Since the Gomukam of the Lingham is in an awkward position it is known as the Vakkara Lingam. There is also a small Nandhi (bull of Shiva) guarding the shrine.

Architecture Style

It is believed to have been built 2,000 years ago. This will be evident as you go around the temple and see that a deviation has been made in both creations of idols, in their installation as well as in observing the rules of Vastu Shastra laid down for temple architecture. The Rajagopuram with its granite base is a nine-tier construction and the brick and the mortar have been used for the superstructure. The upper tiers have been adorned with beautiful stuccowork with the images of gods and goddesses and devotees, flora and fauna and the decorative figures. The inscriptions on the temple reveal that the Rajagopuram was named after 'Kandar Suriyan Sambuvarayan' who was responsible for its construction. The inscriptions also say that in 1193 A.D., during the 16th year of rule by Kulothunga Chola-III, Kandar Suriyan donated two five-tier Kuthuvilakkus (traditional temple lamps) weighing 1,182 palams (about 42 kgs) to the temple. After passing through Rajagopuram one comes across another small and elegant tower called Kili Gopuram. Earlier to the construction of the Rajagopuram, the 'Kili Gopuram', was the main entrance tower of the temple.

About the Deity

The presiding deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Sri Chandrasekarar (the one adorned with the moon) with his consort Devi in the form of Vadivambigai (the beautiful mother goddess). In fact it is a temple complex containing shrines to various Shiva and Vishnu forms. The center of attention of this place is the temple of Vakkara Kali. This is not the biggest shrine but is one of the most potent goddess temples in the region and specially recommended for the persons with mental distress. The temple is more famous for the unique temple of Vakkara Kali, which is one of the few well-known Kali temples of India. As we pass through the Rajagopuram, we can find the shrine of Vakkara Kali on the left. In front of this small shrine one can find the granite idols of two girls with their attractive hairstyle associated with 'Gandhara school of Art' (the Indo-Greek School of art, the specimens of which are very rarely found in South India).

Legend of the Deity

Vakrasooran, a demon, placed Lord Siva in his throat and worshipped him. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Siva appeared before him and granted him his wish – an eternal life. The demon became arrogant and cruel, tortured the Devas and Rishis, who then went to Lord Siva to complain. Lord Siva then asked Lord Vishnu to kill the demon. Vishnu did so using his Chakraayudha. Vakrasooran’s sister Dhunmukhi was equally cruel and it was left to Goddess Parvathi to destroy her. Since Dhunmukhi was carrying a child in her womb, there was a small hitch in killing her. According to the sastras, it is a sin to kill a pregnant woman or a baby. So, Parvathi tore the demoness’ stomach, took the baby out and wore it as her earring (kundalam) on her right ear. Thus, as Vakrakaali, She sits majestically in this sacred spot. Because of Vakrasooran’s vatham and Parvathi appearing as Vakrakaali, the place is called Thiruvakkarai.

Legends and Stories

There was a Demon called Vakrasura who worshipped shiva keeping a Lingam in his throat. He got the boon that he will not be killed by shiva or his creation. He started torturing people of this area who prayed to shiva and since he was invincible due to the boon on request Varadaraja Perumal came here and vanquished him using the Sudarshana Chakra. Hence the perumal is seen here with the Chakra about to be released (Prayoga chakram). After the asura’s death his sister Dhunmukhi started torturing the people who prayed to the lord Shiva who deputed parvathy as Vakra kali to anhilliate the demoness. At that point the demoness was pregnant so in keeping with yudha dharma of not attacking a foetus the divine mother kali takes the foetus and puts it in her ear as an earring and kills the demoness. The ugra of the kali was subdued by Adishankara installing a Srichakram to the left of the Idol. There are a lot of Vakrams( oddities) associated with this temple. The Shiva lingam worshipped by Vakrasura has the base turned the other way. Shani is seen with his mount the crow on his left side. In the Chandramouishwara temple the Nandi, Dwajasthambam and Shiva are all vakram not in alignment. The Nataraja in the Shivan sannidhi is vakram with his right leg lifted unlike in other temples. The Perumal’s chakram is in prayoga which is side on and not flat as usual (Vakram).

Festivals

Chithirai (May – May) Month Chitra Powrnami Utsavam, Theppam in Thirukulam on Tamil New year day

Aadi ( July – August ) Month Aadi Krithigai Utsavam

Karthikai ( Nov – Dec ) Month Karthikai Deepam festival

Thai ( Jan – Feb ) Month Thai, Krithigai, Thai Poosam and Kanum Pongal Festival is conducted

On every full moon day Vakrakaliamman is covered with sandal wood paste and special poojas and Jothy Pooja are performed at 12.00 midnight. On every full moon day Sri Varadharaja Perumal is also decorated with sandal wood paste. On new moon days also Vakrakaliamman and Varadharaja Perumal are decorated with sandal wood paste and special poojas are performed at 12.00 Noon.

Devotees can pay Rs.1000/- Which will be invested, and Archana will be performed to Vakrakaliamman from the interest got from the investment every year on a day of the devotee's choice. and archanai prasadam will be sent to their address

Significance

It is believed that Sita devi gave birth to the twins Lava and Kucha here and Kanchi Maha Periyavar got the Deeksha here (not sure).Wishes would be fulfilled, for the solace and divine peace, to overcome unhappy and discontented in life, for those who undergo hardships in life because of the unfavourable (Vakkara) position of the planets (Grahas). The temple is a parihara sthlam for vakra dosha of malefic positions of the planets. There is lot of crowd on tuesdays and during Rahukalam on Sundays. Not to mention pournami days. A Rs.10 special ticket cuts the waiting and gets you close to the Kali in the fore court. The kali is about 5 feet tall with 8 limbs with various weapons in each hand with her right leg raised on the demoness and left index finger pointing down.

Accessibility

Air

Chennai is the nearest international airport.

Road

Thiruvakkarai is about 16 kms from NH 45 after Tindivanam towards Pondy and about 26 kms from Pondicherry towards Tindivanam. On the NH 45 cross Tindivanam and then take a left towards Mailam at Kooteripattu just opposite the road to Gingee. Proceed towards Pondicherry and cross Mailam. After this in 6-7 kms you will reach Chendur . Take a right turn at the temple arch in Chendur and proceed for about 5 kms and you will reach Thiruvakkarai. There is a petrified tree forest maintained by the Geological survey of India here about a km the temple. There is ample parking at the pond (and good clean toilets on both sides of the temple.)

Rail

There is no railway station near to Thiruvakkarai in less than 10 km. However Katpadi Jn Rail Way Station is major railway station 133 KM near to Thiruvakkarai. If one is traveling via car from Cmbt Metro Bus Terminus and your destination is Vakra-Kaliamman Temple Complex, Thiruvakkarai then it would take approximately 2 hour(s) 27 min(s); for you to reach the destination. The road distance or driving distance between Cmbt Metro Bus Terminus and Vakra-Kaliamman Temple Complex is 156 kms (97.00 miles). Please note that 1 mile is equivalent to 1600 m or 1.6 km.