Vada Bhadra Kali Amman Temple at Tanjore

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Site Name: Vada Bhadra Kali Amman Temple aka Nisumba Soodhani Temple
Site Type: Hindu temple
Location:  Tanjore city, Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: The deity was worshipped by Raja Raja Chola
Nearest Railway Station: Tanjore
Nearest Airport: Trichy
How to reach: Well connected by road from Trichy
Hotel: A lot of options across the entire city
Restaurants: Most of the restaurants are located near bus stand and Brahadeeswara temple; few vegetarian mess or restaurants are found in the remaining part of the city

Thanjavur aka Tanjore city in South India is an important heritage city. The city is popular thanks to the great Brahadeeswarar temple. Everyone knows about this famous temple built by the great king Raja Raja Chola. However, only few might know about Nisumba Soodhani Amman temple which was worshiped by the same king.

Those who visit Tanjore should not visit just Brahadeeswarar temple; there are so many interesting places and temples in and around this city. Let us explore one such interesting temple called Nisumba Soodhani Amman temple.

Nisumba Soodhani temple is located in Poomal Rauther Koil street in Keezha Vaasal area in Tanjore city. It is believed that the original temple (of course not the current structure) was built by Vijayalaya Chola in the 9th century CE. He was the first medieval Chola. It is also believed that all the Chola kings including the great emperor Raja Raja Chola used to worship this powerful deity.

Nisumba Soodhani is also called as Vada Bhadra Kali (people wrongly write this as Vadapathira Kali :-) ) and Raavukala Kali. The temple is very small. No other deity is found other than Kali Amman. 

Kali Amman is in the sitting posture with two arms holding Shul. She looks very ferocious and has an Asura lying under her feet. The gigantic image of the Goddess has her head slightly tilted on her left side.

When you go to Tanjore, visit this lesser known ancient temple.

Happy travelling.

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Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

  1. UnknownThursday, March 21, 2019

    The Chola King Vijayalaya built this temple after fighting and capturing Tanjore from the Muttaraiyars. Later Muttaraiyars became subservient to the Chola Kingdom and were working with them peacefully.Great historic temple and the first to be built by Chola Kingdom before they turned worshippers of Lord Shiva and built several Shiva temples in and around Tanjore

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