Verified Site TraditionEditorial Framework #37 of 51
Kanya (Sharvani / Kanyakumari)
कन्या (शर्वाणी / कन्याकुमारी) · Bhagavathi Amman Temple (Kanyakumari) (Tamil Nadu, India)
Editorial & Scholarly Protocol: AnantaMarg uses a 51-site Pithanirnaya-based framework for this catalogue. Other Shakta traditions preserve different enumerations and identifications.
Spiritual Significance
Enshrining the back (Prishtha) of Devi Sati at the confluence of the three oceans. The maiden goddess Bhagavathi performed perpetual tapasya here to dissolve all cosmic illusions and vanquish the demon Banasura.
Sacred Triad & Field-Level Provenance
Pithanirnaya RecensionShakti (Devi)Primary
Sharvani
शर्वाणी
Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 37
Sources: pithanirnaya
Documented Variants:
Bhagavathi Kanyakumari (भगवती कन्याकुमारी)
Sangam literature & temple sthala purana
BhairavaPrimary
Nimisha
निमिष
Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 37
Sources: pithanirnaya
Relic / Body PartPrimary
Back / Spine (Prishtha)
पीठ / रीढ़ (पृष्ठ)
Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 37
Sources: pithanirnaya
Modern Location & Geographic Coordinates
8.0780° N, 77.5550° EIdentified Site
Bhagavathi Amman Temple (Kanyakumari)
Triveni Sangam confluence (Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean)
State/Province & Country
Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu (India)
Access Guidance: Situated at the southernmost land tip of peninsular India. Kanyakumari railway station is 1 km away; Trivandrum International Airport is 90 km away.
Documentary Sources & Provenance Hierarchy
Tier 1 — Scriptural Texts (प्रामाणिक धार्मिक ग्रंथ)
- Pithanirnaya (Mahapithanirupana) (Verse 37) [D.C. Sircar (1948)]
- Silappadikaram — Ancient Tamil epic mentioning the goddess at the Cape
Tier 2 & 3 — Institutional, Archaeological & Scholarly Sources
- Arulmigu Bhagavathi Amman Temple Devasthanam (official temple)
- Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department (government tourism)