Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Bathrakali Amman Temple, Madapuram, Sivaganga

Bathrakali Amman Temple, Madapuram, Sivaganga 
Bathrakali Amman Temple is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali Amman located at Madapuram Village in Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. Madapuram is a small village I India that lies on the banks of the Vaigai River and on the National Highway 49 that connects Madurai with Rameshwaram. The village is situated 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Madurai. Though Madapuram is near Madurai it is within Sivaganga district. The famous Madapuram Bathrakali Amman Temple and Ayyanar temple is situated at this place.

Madapuram kali is believed to be the Kaval Deivams of Madurai Pandyan king. The temple has no roof. Madapuram kali is very famous here she stands with no roof and about 12 feet (3.7 m) high. Amavasya days will be very crowded with people pray with lemon mala and archanai. Today this temple is managed by HR&CE ministry of Government of Tamil Nadu.
Legends
Shiva creating Ayyanar to accompany Parvathy:
Before 2300 years back, this place was surrounded by thick thorn forest. During that period, Trimurti along with Goddess Gowri went for hunting. Lord Shiva asked Parvathy not to come along with them. As Parvathy doesn't wished to stay alone, Lord Shiva created a child named "Ayyanar" to accompany her.
She requested Lord Shiva to make this place as a holy one and Lord Shiva accepted her wish and made this place holy by informing that taking bath in Vaigai River within 3 km from this place is spiritually equivalent to taking bath in Kasi, the holy water.
Devotee providing shadow to Parvathy:
Goddess Parvathy stayed here as Kali and when a devotee asked a wish to her, she ordered him to provide a horse-shaped shadow for her standing posture. Lifting his two legs, he provided shadow and from that day onwards, Goddess Kali blessed the devotees in this form.
Story behind the name Madapuram:
There is another ancient history for this temple. Once upon a time the city Madurai was surrounded by flood. As Goddess Meenakshi asked to show the boundary of Madurai, Lord Shiva showed the boundary by covering the area with its head and tail and this place was came to known as Padapuram (Padam-Face of the snake and Puram-Back of the snake) and in later days, it became Madapuram.
The Temple
The Rajagopuram (the tower) of Bathirakaliamman temple is of five tiers. The Goddess Bathirakaliamman idol is 13 feet (4.0 m) high and is guarded on both sides by two Boothas (demons). A horse statue 30 feet (9.1 m) high stands raising its legs over this idol. Mother Badrakali graces the devotees wearing a crown of Agni-fire in a standing posture. 
Mother Badrakali appears as a deity of destruction of evils.  The trident destroys evil.  The fire on the head prevents the re-emergence of the evil and reduces them to ashes and her standing posture shows her merciful readiness to protect the devotees. The mount on which Shakti stands is long and wide.  There also stands a horse ready for a war with its front legs up and the back legs pressed on the ground telling the might of the Mother.

People consider the temple to be a court of justice. It is common that at a small platform outside the temple people seek justice from the Goddess. They come in wet clothes, state their complaint and cut a coin and put it on a sacred place “Pattyakkal” installed here. They believe that by doing this they receive justice and the person against whom the complaint is lodged will be punished appropriately by the Goddess.
The Thala Virutcham is a Neem tree. The temple has two Theerthams, namely Brahmma Gundam and Manikarnigai theertham. The temple is near Tirupoovanathar Temple praised in Thevaram hymns. Ayyanar is the custodian deity of the temple.  People consider him as the ruler of the place.  While Sri Ayyanar is seen on a Horse Vahana generally in other places, He is in a standing posture in this temple.  
This is a very ancient temple of this region, situated northeast of the Tirupoovanathar temple amid a pleasant and green environment. It is the belief of the devotees that the very name of Madapuram Kali would shake the miscreants. Lord Vinayaka is praised as Vinai Theerkum Vinayaka – Vinayaka who relieves devotees from their Karmas.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Every Friday is a festival day in the temple drawing huge numbers of devotees. Poornima puja (new moon day) Milk Abishek, 1008 lamp puja on the first Tuesday of each Tamil month are very devotionally celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Mother Badrakali is the family deity of almost all the people of the place, as she simply burns the effects of black magic and spells applied on her devotees by enemies.  She is also furious but grants all the courage to the devotees to stand the attacks of enemies.  People firmly believe that Mother Badrakali would help them fight and succeed in their court affairs. 
It is common in this temple to see billionaires praying in the temple for business development. In olden days a group called Sami Aadigal use to play Kalari – a traditional event then. To soften the fury of Ambica, devotees offer garlands of lime fruits. They also offer Sari to Mother.
Contact
Sri Badrakali Amman Temple,
Madapuram, Sivaganga District
Phone: +91 - 4575 272411
Connectivity
Madapuram is 19 km from Madurai and 30 km from Sivaganga. 
By Road:
The temple is situated at 18 km away from Madurai on the way to Rameswaram. Daily buses are available from Madurai Periyar bus stand to this temple. Buses from Periyar Bus stand to Madapuram, Enadhi, Pappakudi, Kanakkankudi and Kannaarippu will pass through this temple. People can reach Thirupuvanam from the Madurai Mattuthavani Bus stand and should travel 2 km to reach this temple. Bus facilities are available to Madapuram from Sivaganga also. Auto share facility is also available.
By Train:
The nearest railway station is Thirubuvanam station and the temple is located 2 km away from this railway station. Only passenger trains will stop at this station. The main railway junction is Madurai Junction situated 18 km from the temple.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Madurai Airport (IXM) which is 30 km away from the temple. Air connectivity is available from Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad & Vijayawada. International connectivity is available to Sri Lanka and Dubai. Connectivity to Singapore is expected soon.