23-feet tall Goddess Kali idol coming up in Kerala's Pournamikavu temple

Thiruvananthapuram: A 23-feet tall (including peedam) Goddess Kali idol is all set to be sent to Pournamikavu temple in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

Carved by famous sculptor Mukesh Bhardwaj, the 18-feet idol of the goddess made from Rajasthan Marbles exquisite single stone piece will be installed along with 12-ft tall idols of Goddesses Durga and Lakshmi (Raja Madhanghi Devi) at Pournamikavu temple in Chavadi Nada, Venganur.

Accompanied by their respective Vahanas — lion, tiger, peacock, swan— these majestic idols will embark on a monumental journey from Jaipur to Trivandrum via road trailers, commencing on April 29.

The idols will adorn the temple dedicated to Goddess Bala Thripura Sundari Devi, and renowned for housing the world's largest panchmukhi 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-foot Shani idol was installed in the temple – another one of its kind in Bharat.

“The installation ceremony of Goddess Kali idol and that of Goddesses Durga and Lakshmi, will be akin to the Ram temple Pran Prathishtha ceremony,” temple chief trustee MS Bhuvanachandran said.

Preparations are underway to transport the towering 18.5 -foot single stone Kali idol, crafted from Rajasthan marble by sculptor Mukesh Bhardwaj , he said.

Rajasthan marbles has been associated with pilgrimages like Ayodhya, Ujjain, Maheshwar, Dhar, Haridwar, Varanasi among others, said Jagadguru Suryaachaary Krishnadeonand Giri of Maharaj Murali Mandir, Dwarka, Gujarat.

He said: "The world's tallest Goddess Kali idol is all set to start a journey that will be a testament to devotion and craftsmanship from Jaipur to Trivandrum in Kerala via Chittor, Hyderabad, Hosur, Madurai, Nagerkoil," and that he will travel along.