25 April 2024/
WORLD’S TALLEST GODDESS KALI IDOL TO BE INSTALLED AT POURNAMIKAVU TEMPLE, KERALA.
World’s tallest Goddess Kali idol is all set to start a journey that will be a testament to devotion and craftsmanship – 18.5 feet tall Goddess Kali idol chiselled by local sculptor Mukesh Bhardwaj prepped up to be sent to the renowned Pournamikavu Temple in Kerala on 29 April 2024.
“Exquisite single marble stone – 30 x 20 feet weighing 45-50 ton, from Bhainslana, Rajasthan – was turned into the exquisite Goddess Kali idol that will be installed along the 12-ft tall idols of Goddesses Durga and Lakshmi carved along with the taller Goddess idol at Pournamikavu Temple in Chavadi Nada, Venganur, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The idols will add to the age-old reverence that the temple dedicated to Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari Devi holds among devotees.
Renowned for housing the world’s largest ‘Panchamukha Ganesha’ idol and 51 Akshara devathas, the Pournamikavu Temple stands as the sole pilgrimage in Bharat devoted to goddesses representing alphabets. Each alphabet is associated with its respective goddess, offering devotees the opportunity to seek blessings for educational and career advancement. Recently, a 17-feet Shani idol was installed in the temple – another one of its kind in Bharat. Preparations are underway to transport the towering 18.5 feet single stone Kali idol, accompanied by their respective vahanas — lion, tiger, peacock and swan — these majestic idols will embark on a monumental journey from Jaipur to Trivandrum via road trailers, commencing on April 29,” says, M S Bhuvanachandran, Temple Chief Curator.
“Rajasthan marbles have found place since ages in age-old pilgrimages, be it Ayodhya, Ujjain, Maheshwar, Dhar, Haridwar, Varanasi, the list is endless. The installation ceremony of Goddess Kali idol and that of Goddesses Durga and Laksmi, will be akin to the Ram Temple pran prathishtha ceremony albeit it will be the abode of powerful and revered Hindu goddesses,” says Jagadguru Suryaachaary Krishnadeonand Giri of Maharaj Murali Mandir, Dwarka, Gujarat. “My heart can’t stop beating for the Goddess’ idols to reach their destination. I will travel close to them till they find their right place,” he added.
In the legendary Temple, Pournamikavu, situated at Venganoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Shri. Bala Tripura Sundari Devi is worshipped and the temple opens only on the full moon (Pournami) day and on some special occasions like Navaaham Festival and on Vidyarambham days. It is also known as ‘Akshara Devatha’ temple where all the 51 idols of Akshara devathas and about 25 sub-deities were worshipped.
EMBARKING CEREMONY ON 29 APRIL 2024/ PLACE: RIDDHI SIDDHI NAGAR/ 100 FT ROAD/ GOVIDPURA KALWAR/ JHOTTWARA-22 KMS FROM JAIPUR TOWN
Pic: 1 – Kali Matha Statue (18.5 ft) work in progress, took 20 months to complete the work / Pic: 2 – Final touches of Durga Devi Statue (12 ft) at Sculptor Mukesh Bhardwaj’s Workshop in Kalwar near Jaipur / Pic: 3 – World’s tallest single stone Kali Matha Statue’s work in progress.
