Bhagavati Ali Chamundi Kshetra Temple draws Hindus and Muslims alike in Mangaluru

• At the temple, both Hindu and Muslim devotees pray to the wish-fulfilling twin spirits of Chamundi and Ali
• The annual Jatra Mahotsava is celebrated between March 30 and April 6
• From August 15 to September 15, a month-long ritual is conducted during the Tulu calendar month of Sona

The Hindu pilgrimage site Bhagavati Ali Chamundi Kshetra, famous for 'Bhootaraadhane' or twin spirit worship of the Hindu goddess Chamundi and her servant Ali by people of both Hindu and Muslim faith, is situated at a distance of 40 km from the city of Mengaluru, in the small town of Arikady in Kerala's Kasargod district.

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Behind the worship of 'Chamundi Bhoot' and 'Ali Bhoot' is a legend which goes as such- Hailing from the Andaman and Nicobar islands, the licentious Ali who was also skilled in black magic wrecked havoc in the town of Arikady. To vanquish him, the villagers prayed to goddess Bhagavati.

Ali wore a talisman which would not let death approach him. So, in order to slay him, Bhagavati takes the form of beautiful women and goes to bathe in the pond. Overpowered by lust, Ali follows her and agrees to her condition of removing his protective talisman so that he could sport with the goddess. As Bhagavati takes on the Chamundi avatar to kill the now powerless Ali, he repents and expresses a desire to serve her, and she obliges.

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It is to worship these wish-fulfilling twin spirits that people throng to the pilgrimage and annual Jatra Mahotsava that is celebrated between March 30 and April 6. Further, from August 15 to September 15, a month-long ritual is conducted during the Tulu calendar month of Sona. It is during the last three days that Muslims come to the site to worship 'Ali Bhoot' by offering him jasmine flowers.

– by Ashee Sharma of NewsGram

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