In a land where every hill holds a secret and every pond reflects the face of a forgotten devata, there resides a Shakti whose name is whispered with awe — Karineeli Bhagavati. Fierce. Mysterious. And utterly beyond the grasp of the written word.
This is not a tale from books or internet articles.
This is truth, passed down by breath, by bone, by blood — lived and guarded by those who know her fire.
Always remember “Whom we worship matters least; how we worship matters most.”
Karineeli Bhagavati, as revered in our Mantrika Vidya, is none other than Tvarita Parvati of Tantrika Vidya— the compassionate yet fierce embodiment of the Supreme Mother who chose to remain on Earth out of love for her people.
The Hidden Story Behind Karineeli Bhagavati
When Parvati, in her form as Tvarita, accompanied Lord Shiva in the guise of Kirata to test Arjuna for the Pashupatastra, she later decided not to return to Kailasha immediately. Instead, she took on a human form as a woman named Koolivaka, and lived among the tribal people of the region near Karimala, blessing them with her divine presence and compassion.
Blessed by Kirata Shiva, Koolivaka gave birth to Chathan Swamy, a radiant & mighty being destined for divine purpose. Though living in human form, Koolivaka was fully aware of her identity as Amba Parvati. She guided and nurtured the people, protecting and uplifting them, embodying both gentleness and power.
And thus — in a twist known only to those who walk the deep vidyas — she transformed.
She became Karineeli — the untamed. The feared. The invincible.
At a destined moment, she fiercely asked her son, Chathan, to turn toward his avatara dharma rather than remain bound to her side like a doting child. With fierce compassion, she asked him to get out of home into the real world to fulfill his divine purpose. His story is different. My Maharaj will always cry when he utters his story by telling “See! How much trouble & ill treatment this chathan faced by the silly humans!” There is a song in our tradition which comes with his life story and while we sing that song in a tune meant for it, chathan will show his presence & bestow his divine grace. Let’s get back to Karineeli Bhagavati..
From Graceful Koolivaka to Adharma Swarupa: The Birth of Karineeli
When she decided to return to Kailasha, she found herself bound by the overwhelming love of the people. Their heartfelt devotion rooted her to the Earth, and thus, in accordance with Kali Dharma, she assumed the form of Adharma Swarupa — as she carries adharma swarupa, she does adharma karyas also, but only for dharma samrakshana.
This form — worshipped as Neeli and Karineeli — carries the weight of unshakeable protection and raw divine tribal or beastly power.
The Forms of Karineeli Bhagavati
Karineeli manifests in multiple swarupas, each with distinct iconography and spiritual vibrations, known only to those initiated in the mantra shastra traditions:
- Wields sickle, winnowing pad, and wooden umbrella. Wears black cloth, white hair, and fierce presence.
- Holds hen and sickle, adorned in red vastra, radiating youthful Shakti.
- Wields khadga, kapala, trishula, and staff; appears like Devi Parvati herself.
- Holds shankha, chakra, trishula, and kapala, wearing red saree, radiant like blazing fire.
- Carries staff and rudraksha mala, donned in red.
- Carries two staffs; terrifying and protective, resembling Ugra Parvati.
There are few more forms of her & each of these forms has its own mantra, tantra, and yantra, safeguarded within mantrika paramparas.
Mutthikkulam – The Sacred Pond She Created
There is a divine pond called Mutthikkulam in Karimala, created by Tvarita Parvati herself by scratching the rock by her finger nails. Even today, it is said none should casually visit and return, for Karineeli Bhagavati resides there.
In ancient times, those who wished for her sakshatkara or aspired to become superior mantrikas would risk everything to enter Mutthikkulam. For 41 days, they would endure unimaginable challenges — fierce visions, psychic trials, and life-threatening experiences. Only the one who survived with unshakable bhakti and surrender would receive her grace — a power akin to food from Akshaya Patra.
A Living Testimony: Gurukkanmar Mayon
This is not myth.
This is not legend.
This is our truth — In our parampara, it is still echoing through bloodlines, carried in the breath of those who still remember.
Nearly five to six centuries ago, in our own lineage, lived Gurukkanmar Mayon — a great Mantrika, but a sat-bhakta of Karineeli Bhagavati.
He did not call upon Karineeli for mantras or siddhis. He did not seek her for protection or power.
He loved her because she was. And in that pure bhakti — without agenda, without desire — she gave him everything including herself.
From Kalladikode, he would set out on foot each evening, walking through thick forests and steep climbs to reach the mutthikkulam which is at Karimala.
There, during the dark nights while the world slept, he would do his Karineeli Bhagavati in the mutthikulam itself which is a spot that makes people fear even hearing someone say – they are going to mutthikulam.
And then he would walk back. Night after night. Year after year.
No complaint. No hesitation. Only devotion. Nitya Seva happened with her grace.
But because of age factor, one night, he fell down in mutthikkulam itself. During the puja or upon completion of puja or while about to return back is unknown!!
That night –
While our Guru Patni was waiting for his return, She could see an Elephant approaching their home in the dark. She couldn’t believe her eyes, as karineeli bhagavati will take the form of an elephant as well. While she is doubting her eyes, Bhagavati in the form of elephant came closer and put him gently on the bed. Went back silently & vanished in the thin air. Next day, when our Maharaj asked how did he came back – he came to know the truth. And, from that night onwards – every night – an elephant will come from nowhere, carry him from kalladikode to mutthikulam and once upon his puja is done, the same elephant will take him back home.
Until his final breath.
Today, that very home where he lived — that sacred threshold — is still alive, still vibrating with that story. Our Maharaj still resides there, holding the lineage, carrying the fire.
This is Karineeli Bhagavati’s compassion — fierce and fearsome to the world, but a Mother beyond measure to her own.
To those who come with true bhakti — without asking, without pretending — she bends the rules of nature.
She sends elephants.
She opens rocks.
She walks with them through fire, and brings them home in her arms.
She does not demand your bookish learning.
But, she does weigh your rituals & Guru Bhakti.
She only asks: “HOW SINCERE YOU ARE!” “HOW PURE YOU ARE!”
And if the answer is POSITIVE,
She becomes the answer to everything else.
