The famed Rajasthan marbles are all set to go into the history books once again, with world’s largest Goddess Kali idol – 18.5 feet tall – (23 feet in total inclusive of peedam ) carved by famous sculptor Mukesh Bhardwaj, prepped up to be sent to Pournamikavu temple in Kerala on April 29.
An exquisite single marble stone – 30 x 20 feet weighing 45-50 ton, from Bhainslana, Rajasthan – was turned into the exquisite Goddess Kali idol that will be installed along the 12-ft tall idols of Goddesses Durga and Lakshmi (Raja Madhanghi Devi) carved along with the taller Goddess idol, at Pournamikavu temple in Chavadi Nada, Venganur, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The murti will add to the age-old reverence that the temple dedicated to Goddess Bala Thripura Sundari Devi holds among devotees. 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 Laksmi, will be akin to the Ram temple pran prathishtha ceremony albeit it will be the abode of powerful and revered Hindu goddesses,” said temple chief curator, M S Bhuvanachandran.
The unwavering faith of the temple devotees has enabled the acquisition of increasingly potent idols, he said adding “Just as in governance, where the Bharat’s Prime Minister is supported by ministers, the deities in this temple are bolstered by other forms of divine power.”
Preparations are underway to transport the towering 18.5 -foot single stone Kali idol, crafted from Rajasthan marble by sculptor Mukesh Bhardwaj , he said. 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.
Rajasthan marbles have found place since ages in age-old pilgrimages.. be it Ayodhya, Ujjain, Maheshwar, Dhar, Haridwar, Varanasi.. the list is endless, 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 Jaipur to Trivandrum in Kerala via Chittor, Hyderabad, Hosur, Madurai, Nagerkoil. “My heart can’t stop beating for the Goddess’ idols to reach their destination. I will travel close to them till they find their right place,” he said.
