Navaratri Series — Day 3 — Kanyakumari Amman
If Kamakhya symbolizes the procreative and regenerative power of the Goddess, Kanyakumari shows the power of celibacy. The story goes that Banasur had obtained a boon that he will be killed by an adolescent girl. Hence, the Goddess took avatar of Kanyakumari. As a young child, Kanyakumari fell in love with Shiva and wished to marry him. Shiva agreed. The preparations for a grand marriage ceremony started leading all devas to be worried — if she marries and bears child, who will kill Banasur ? Hence, the Narada told her that they must marry before sunrise if they want a happy marriage. So, Shiva living far away in mount Kailas set afoot in the night. But before he could reach, Narada took form of a rooster and crowed. Shiva assumed the auspicious time for marriage is over and returned back. The Suchindram temple stands witnessing the return of Shiva.
The angry Kanyakumari washed her make-up with water — turning seawater colourful. She kicked pots and vessels of food turning into colourful sand on beach. Frustrated, anguished, she sat for meditation in a nearby cave. Banasur on learning her beauty came to ravish her. The Goddess warned him of consequences but he refused to obey. The angry Kanyakumari beheaded Banasur with her chakra and thus he is killed as per his boon. Kanyakumari stands on the seashore of India guarding the land from tempestuous sea, giving hope to the fishermen and traders traveling in the ocean.
In both the stories of Vaishnodevi and Kanyakumari, the Goddess is refused marriage by the Gods, hence they remain celibate and beheads her tormentor, and later forgive them. Kanyakumari blesses Banasur that the place he died will become a ‘teertha’ where devotes will throng to get moksha. Located on southern tip, Kanyakumari is believed to be a powerful shaktipeeth where Sati’s spine fell. The present shrine of Kanyakumari is believed to have built by Parashuram who installed the moorthi as well. Every year, the grand festival is celebrated during Chaitra Pournima, Navaratri and Vaisakha month.
Day 3 of Navaratri — Kanyakumari shrine located on southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.
