THIRUVAKKARAI VAKRAKAALI AMMAN TEMPLE

THIRUVAKKARAI - 30 KMS FROM PONDICHERRY. Great Vakkrakaali amman temple. If you happen to go to Pondicherry, try to visit this shrine, thronged by devotees. 12th century temple, and the prime attraction is the shrine dedicated to Mother Kaali, addressed as Vakra Kaali, who is the slayer of evil. The Goddess has eight arms, with a slightly tilted posture, a rare one. According to the legend, the Goddess vanquished the demon Vakkrasura and hence she is called as Vakkrakaali. This temple is basically a Shiva temple with Lord Chandrashekar and Vadivaambigai as primary deities. But you can find all the deities like Vishnu, Shiva and Shakthi together here. Importances of Deities : Vakrakali Eight hands having weapons and has a baby in her ear as an ornament. Chandramouleeswarar Has three faces never seen anywhere. Varadharaja Perumal Having Prayoga Chakra. Speciality of the temple:- In this temple Thirunandhi , Kodikambam and Moolavar are not in a straight line. Here Lord Shiva has three faces. In the pragara behind Lord Shiva, a sannathi for Lord Maha Vishnu and in the rear side of Lord Shiva sannadhi, a sannadhi for Brahama. Un like other temples, Lord Varadharaja Perumal is having the Chakra in prayoga stage. Unlike other temples the Vahanam for sanneswarar, the crow turned to the left. The Thabasvi Kundalin made many prayers to Lord Shiva and got Jeevasamadhi and having a sannadhi. There are 1008 small lingams in one lingam is also called Sakasra Lingam. Only ghee is used for Deepa Arathi in this temple. Garland made of lime fruit along with other Poojas materials is a favorite offering to the goddess. Sapthamaathas namely Varahi, Indrani, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Pirmani, Dhunmukhi and Chamundi are seen inside the temple. Goddess the mother Adhi Parasathi hereself is in the form of kaali - here in the place of Chamundi. Vakrasooran and Dhunmukhi. 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. Vakrasoorans 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 Vakrasoorans vatham and Parvathi appearing as Vakrakaali, the place is called Thiruvakkarai.

Three faces of Lingam Lord Sivas 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). Unusual Lord Nataraja Lord Natarajas sanctum sanctorum is at the back of Pirai Soodiya Perumals 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). Ten feet Dwarapalakas stand on either side of this sanctum sanctorum. Lord Varadaraja Perumal 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 Perumals 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. Vakrakaali 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. Kaali Utsavam On the Full Moon day, Kaali is adorned with Chandanakappu and worshipped here. It is believed that if one visits this temple consecutively for three Full Moon days, their wishes would be fulfilled. On the right side of Kaali, is the Yogeshwara Lingam, and on Her left is Valampuri Vinayaka. Valampuri Ganapathi is rarely found because only one out of 108 Shiva temples has valampuri Ganapathi. Therefore, the darshan of this Valampuri Ganapathi can give one the benefits of going to 108 temples of shiva Kanda lingam 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. 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.Each planet in the universe is ruled by Goddess Vakrakali - the ruling Goddess of Rahu and Kethu. Therefore, one has to do pradakshinam in a rare way in this temple. One has to do nine pradakshinam, start from the right five times and after that should start from the left four times. As per astrology some planets attain vakram during certain period on ones chart that is in reverse order, to get rid of this , one has to pray for three fullmoon days to Vakrakali, Vakra Lingam and Vakra Sani, and you will be redeemed from the malefic effects of the planets.

Obstacles towards marriage and people for progeny obtain the boon if they pray to DHURGAIAMMAN during Raghu Kalam on Tuesday, Friday and Sundays. Those who have physical and mental illness can recover by perfoming poojas on full moon days to Vakrakaali. One more special pooja called Pancha kannika dhosha nivarana pooja is done in this temple for those woman waiting for marriage, and to get good life and husband. Indeed their wishes are heard And blessed by the ALMIGHTY!!! JAI MAHAAKAALI!!!