Bhagavati is the Goddess of prosperity and protection and is widely worshiped in Kerala. Bhagavati has two distinct forms – Goddess Kali, representing the fierce aspect, and Goddess Durga or Goddess Parvati, the benign. The Tantra texts in Kerala make a distinction between the worship of Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali.
The legendary Parashurama is said to have established 108
Durga temples and 108 Ayyappa temples within kavu (groves). The main story
associated with Goddess Bhagavati is that of her in Kali form annihilating demon
Darika and carrying his head to her father Shiva at Kailash. Placing it at the
feet of Mahadeva, she worshipped him. She was then assailed by a great thirst
that nothing could quench. Shiva cut his finger and quenched her thirst with
the blood. He instructed her to go to Malanad (Kerala) with her attendants and
live there as the protecting deity of the kuladaivam (people).
The main Bhagavati temples in Kerala have a tattakam (a
particular area of influence) where there are some smaller groups of interrelated
shrines. The annual festival in honor of Bhagavati in village temples take
place on the day of the Bharani asterism in the month of Kumbham (February –
March). However, the most important Bhagavati festival in Kerala is celebrated
at the Kurumba (Kali) temple at Kodungallur in the following month, Meenam
(March – April). Pilgrims come here from all over Kerala.
Bhagavati is worshipped under numerous forms in various temples
in temple sometimes as upadevata like Vasoorimala, who is said to protect her
devotees against smallpox and other infectious diseases. She is widely
worshipped to overcome health issues, for protection, to overcome enemies, to
defeat enemies, for victory in battles and for desire fulfillments.
In Bhagavati temples, apart from the regular orthodox
worship by Brahmin priests in the main sanctums, there is non-brahmin ritual
worship performed by the Nair priests within the temple precincts. Nairs
worship the Bhagavati as Kalari Devata, the Goddess who presides over their
martial gymnasia (Kalari). One of the rituals in these temples involves a
velichappad (a male dancer), dressed in ceremonial red and white, holding a
sickle in his right hand, with anklets jingling on his feet, who goes into a trance
to the rhythmic beat of the drums. He is said to be possessed of the deity, and
talks to and blesses the devotees like the Goddess herself.
An interesting feature in the annual festivals in Bhagavati
temples is the reception to the Goddess with ceremonial platters, i.e.,
talappoli. Two rows of young girls dressed in traditional style, holding
platters in which eight auspicious substances, i.e., ashtamangalyam, and a lamp
consisting of one half of a coconut with wicks burning in oil, welcome the
Goddess.
The festival of Kongan pata is celebrated in the Bhagavati
temple at Chittur in the month of Kumbham (February – March), in commemoration
of the victory of the Nairs there over an army that came from Kongu Nadu centuries
ago; the ceremonies include the reading from the palm leaf containing the declaration
of war, and a mock fight.
Cherttali, on the shore of the Vembanad lake across Vaikkom,
is famous for its Durga temple, supposed to be one of the 108 temples
consecrated by Parashurama.
The Bhagavati temple at Chengannur has a festival celebrating
the menstrual period of the deity; this custom has been mentioned in a medieval
sandeshakavya.
Theyyam Thira Kaliyattam festival held in North Kerala
temples especially in traditional homes, sacred places and Kavu (s) is mostly
dedicated to various forms of Goddess Bhagavati.
Attukal Bhagavathy temple near Thiruvananthapuram, which
holds the world record for the largest gathering of women, is based on Kannagi
legend. Attukal Amma is a manifestation of Goddess Durga.
Pongala ritual, a dish prepared from rice and jaggery, is
today the most famous ritual performed in almost all Bhagavati temples in
Kerala.
Ballad songs in simple Malayalam, narrating the story of the
fight between Kali and Darika, are the most important songs of Bhagavati
temple.