Bhadrakali Temple

Revandi, Taluka Malvan, District Sindhudurg

Devi Bhadrakali, the Kuladevi (family deity) of the Pandavas, embodies the combined form of Shiva and Shakti. One of the sacred abodes of this Bhadrakali Devi, whose main Shaktipeeth is in Kurukshetra—a land sanctified by the blood of the Mahabharata war—is located in Revandi village in Malvan Taluka. The beautiful and grand temple of Bhadrakali Devi is situated in an area rich with the natural beauty of the Gad River and the Kalavali estuary. The temple is nestled on a small hillock in the village, in a serene and picturesque setting. Devotees firmly believe that this Devi fulfills all desires, and thus, there is a constant stream of devotees seeking her darshan.

Two legends are recounted regarding the sacred site of Bhadrakali in Revandi. One legend tells that Mother Parvati, for some reason, became displeased with Lord Shankara and came to this place. After a few days, Lord Shankara arrived with his Ganas to appease Mother Parvati. When Mother Parvati was about to depart with Lord Shankara, she told her devotees that she would forever reside here in the form of Shiva and Shakti. Hearing this, the devotees rejoiced and established Bhadrakali Devi, commencing her worship and rituals. The second legend states that the original ancestors of the Kambli family of Revandi migrated from Kashi to what is now Kambliwadi. Choosing a central location in Revandi, they consecrated Lord Shankara and Mother Parvati in the form of black stone Lingas. Bhadra refers to Shivshankar, and Kali refers to Mother Parvati, and thus, this deity became renowned as ‘Bhadrakali’.

The Rudrasamhita of the Shiv Purana narrates the story of the birth of Bhadra and Kali. This ancient tale recounts that Sati, the consort of Shiva, was the daughter of King Daksha. Once, Daksha organized a grand Yajna but did not extend an invitation to Lord Shankara and Sati. Nevertheless, she went to her father’s house with the Shivaganas, asserting her right. There, Daksha insulted her and reviled Lord Shiva. Unable to bear the insult to her husband, Sati gave up her life by holding the Vayu (air) and Agni (fire) through Yogic practice. Upon learning from the Shivaganas and Narada that Sati had been consumed by the Yogic fire, Lord Shankara became enraged. In a fit of fury, he plucked a lock of hair from his head and struck it against a mountain. The lock split into two pieces. From the eastern part emerged the formidable and mighty Virabhadra, while from the other part arose Mahakali. These two destroyed Daksha’s Yajna. In the temple at Revandi, before the idol of Bhadrakali, the stone forms of both deities, Bhadra and Kali, are enshrined on a Vajra Peetha.

The venerable old custodians of the temple state that this temple in Revandi was established approximately चारशे years ago. In the year दोन हजार, the temple underwent renovation. Although the temple is located in the heart of the village, there are no houses in the immediate vicinity of the temple. It is situated on a high hillock, against a backdrop of dense foliage. One enters the temple courtyard by ascending सत्तावीस steps from the entrance archway. Just as a fort has ramparts, this temple is surrounded by a boundary wall on all sides. The temple’s structure comprises a Sabhamandap (assembly hall), an Antarala (vestibule), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) with a circumambulatory path from the Antarala. The temple roof is flat, and the Sabhamandap, Antarala, and Garbhagriha are crowned with Shikharas (spires).

Upon ascending the steps from the entrance archway, two Deepastambhas (lamp pillars) are visible on either side in front of the temple. To the left here is a Tulsi Vrindavan. The Sabhamandap is spacious and airy. The floor of the Sabhamandap is laid with pristine, gleaming marble tiles. In the Antarala, items required for the Devi’s Jatrotsav (fair/festival) are kept. These include the Devi’s palanquin and पाच Tarangakathyas (ceremonial staffs). The Garbhagriha of the temple is simple. This Garbhagriha has दोन entrance doors. One of these doors is enclosed by a marble-carved jali (lattice). Inside the Garbhagriha, on a tall Vajra Peetha, is the Devi’s idol, seated on a throne, four-armed, and with a serene countenance. On a small altar in front of the Devi are the stone forms of Bhadra and Kali.

To the left of the temple is the shrine of Jain Brahmin Deva. Inside a square enclosure are एक large and तीन small black stone Lingas. This is the sacred site of Brahmin Deva. Moving further, one finds the sacred site of Devi’s Chala, also on a raised platform. Beside it is a large Champa tree, around which a platform has been built. Behind the temple is a two-storied building with modern facilities for devotees’ accommodation.

The Jatrotsav of Bhadrakali Devi is celebrated here with immense enthusiasm and in a deeply spiritual atmosphere. A fair is held on Tripurari Pournima (locally known as Tipar). On this day, in the morning, the Devi is adorned with a mask, draped in a saree and choli, and embellished with golden ornaments. Mahaprasad is prepared here in the morning, with provisions contributed by the villagers. Before the Devi, a ‘Wadi’ (offering) is shown in the names of बारापाच sacred places. First, the Brahmins partake of the prasad. Thereafter, Mahaprasad is arranged for all devotees. In the evening, according to tradition, lamps are lit before the Devi for Deepotsav and a Garhane (petition/prayer) program is held. Following this, a pumpkin is ritually worshipped. Pumpkins are placed on the Deepamala (lamp tower). After this, amidst chants of ‘Udo Udo’, the Devi’s palanquin, along with the Avsari Tattvas (ceremonial elements), is carried towards the Jain Brahmin temple site. After offering a Garhane there, one circumambulation of the Bhadrakali Temple is performed, concluding this one-day Tipar Utsav.

During the Yatrotsav, the temple is adorned with electric lights. Late at night, a Dahikala program is held. Important festivals and celebrations such as Navratrotsav and Deepavali are observed with great enthusiasm in the temple. Various cultural programs are organized here on the occasion of Maghi Ganesh Jayanti. During this पाच-day festival, Mahaprasad is arranged for devotees. Another identity of Revandi village is that it is the native place of the renowned theater artist Machhindra Kambli, who took the Malvani language across the seven seas through his plays. His theater group is named after this very Devi.

Useful Information

• पाच kilometers from Malvan, and पस्तीस kilometers from Kasal
• ST (state transport) bus service available from Malvan and many other towns in the district
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking lot
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the vicinity
• Contact: Temple Office, Mobile: ९४२२४४७०२६