The Bhadrakali Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, located in the town of Gokarna in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The temple is one of the most important religious sites in Gokarna, and is said to have been built in the 8th century AD.
The temple is situated on a hilltop, and is surrounded by a large complex of other temples and shrines. The main temple building is a two-storey structure, with a gopuram (tower) that rises to a height of about 60 feet. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses the idol of Bhadrakali, which is depicted in a fierce and aggressive form.
The Bhadrakali Temple is a popular pilgrimage site, and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The temple is especially crowded during the annual festival of Navratri, which is celebrated in the month of September or October.
History
The Bhadrakali Temple is said to have been built in the 8th century AD by the Chalukya king Vikramaditya II. The temple was later renovated and expanded by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century.
Legend
According to legend, the Bhadrakali Temple was built on the spot where the goddess Bhadrakali killed the demon king Ravana. Ravana was a powerful demon who had obtained a boon from Brahma that made him invincible. Ravana used his power to terrorize the gods and humans, and eventually kidnapped Sita, the wife of Rama.
Rama and Lakshmana pursued Ravana to Lanka, and after a long battle, Rama killed Ravana. However, before he died, Ravana cursed Rama that he would never be able to return to Ayodhya.
Rama was devastated by the curse, and he wandered the earth for many years. Eventually, he came to Gokarna, where he met the sage Agastya. Agastya advised Rama to worship the goddess Bhadrakali, who would be able to lift the curse.
Rama followed Agastya's advice, and he worshipped Bhadrakali for many days. Pleased with Rama's devotion, Bhadrakali appeared to him and lifted the curse. Rama was overjoyed, and he returned to Ayodhya with Sita.
Architecture
The Bhadrakali Temple is a two-storey structure, with a gopuram (tower) that rises to a height of about 60 feet. The temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture, and is characterized by its intricate carvings and sculptures.
The main entrance to the temple is through a large gopuram, which is decorated with a variety of sculptures of gods and goddesses. The gopuram leads to a large courtyard, which is surrounded by a number of smaller shrines.
The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is located at the rear of the courtyard, and houses the idol of Bhadrakali. The idol is depicted in a fierce and aggressive form, with eight arms and a number of weapons.
Festivals
The Bhadrakali Temple is a popular pilgrimage site, and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The temple is especially crowded during the annual festival of Navratri, which is celebrated in the month of September or October.
During Navratri, the temple is decorated with flowers and lights, and a number of special pujas (rituals) are performed. Devotees from all over India come to the temple to offer prayers to the goddess Bhadrakali.
How to Reach
The Bhadrakali Temple is located in the town of Gokarna, which is about 500 kilometers from Bangalore. The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport, which is about 140 kilometers from Gokarna.
Gokarna is well-connected by road and rail to major cities in Karnataka. There are a number of buses that ply between Bangalore and Gokarna, and the journey takes about 10 hours. There are also a number of trains that connect Gokarna to Bangalore and other major cities.
Once in Gokarna, the Bhadrakali Temple is easily accessible by auto-rickshaw or taxi. The temple is located in the heart of the town, and is just a short walk from the main bus stand.