அருள்மிகு பகவதி அம்மன் (கன்னியாகுமரி) கோயில், கன்னியாகுமரிArulmigu Bhagavathy Amman (Devi Kanya Kumari) Temple, Kanyakumari

Sthala Mahātmyam

The Bhagavathy Amman Temple at Kanyakumari stands at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent, where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean meet, and is counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas — the Goddess's back (spine) is said to have fallen here. The presiding deity is Devi Kanya Kumari, Parvati in the form of an adolescent virgin girl. Legend tells that the demon Banasura, boon-protected to die only at a virgin's hands, oppressed the devas; the Goddess incarnated as a maiden and undertook penance here to win Shiva. As the wedding party was delayed past the auspicious hour by a divine ruse, the marriage never took place, and Kanya Kumari remained an eternal virgin, standing guard and slaying Banasura. Her diamond nose-ring is said to shine so brightly it was once visible far out to sea. Sage Parashurama is traditionally credited with consecrating the east-facing blue-stone image.