Located near Ernakulam, Kerala, the Chottanikkara Temple is
a famous temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati. Here, the presiding deity,
Chottanikkara Devi is worshipped in three different forms: as Goddess Saraswati
in the morning, as Goddess Lakshmi at noon, as Goddess Durga in the evening.
Other than Chottanikkara Devi, Lord Shiva is also worshiped at the temple. The
temple is famous for curing people suffering from mental illnesses and diseases
due to evil spirits. Chottanikkara Temple is famous for its religious festival,
"Chottanikara Makam thozhal".
Location Kerala, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram
Legend
The area where the Chottanikkara Temple is situated at
present was once a dense forest and it is believed that the forest was infested
by Yakshis (Ghosts) and Rakshas (Demons). A local tribesman named Kannappan,
who was a ardent devotee of Kali, lived in that forest. He used to sacrifice a
cow to Goddess Kali on every friday. Once he saw a black calf and kidnapped the
calf for the sacrifice ritual. However, Kannappan's daughter, Manimanga pleaded
him to not to kill the calf. So, Kannappan gifted the calf to his daughter.
Manimanga died some days later. When Kannappan looked for the calf for
sacrifice, after the death of his daughter, he found two stones in its place.
The stones were Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Many years later, a woodcutter
tried to sharpen his axe on the stone and found it bleeding. After that, it was
concluded that the stones were divine.
According to another legend says that Goddess Kali saved a
Brahmin from the hands of a Yakshi. After killing the Yakshi, the Goddess
bathed in a nearby pond. Vilwamangalam Swami found the Kali idol from the pond
centuries later.
Architecture
Chottanikkara temple, along with the Sabarimala Ayyappa
Temple, are considered as the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture.
The idol is facing westward and it is believed that it was installed by
Villwamangalam Swamiyaar. An ancient 'Pala' tree standing on the northeastern
side of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with long iron nails hammered on by
haunted victims with their foreheads.
Culture
The culture of Kerala is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian
cultures, developed and mixed for centuries, under influences from other parts
of India and abroad. It has got a pre- historic genesis, but constant exposure
to other cultures has instilled a cosmopolitan nature to it. Kerala welcomes
and respects other cultures and assimilates good elements into its structure.
It keeps a unique identity among other South Indian cultures.
Darsan Info
The Chottanikkara Temple opens every day for Nirmalya Darsan
at 4 AMtill 12:30 PM
Chottanikkara Temple opens in the evening at 4.00 PM Till 8:45 PM
During Mandalam season and on Fridays, the Nirmalya Darsan
will be at 3.30 am
Darsan Dresscode
All traditional dresses allowed. Men are not supposted to
wear shirt on upper torso
Pooja Samagri
The accessibility to good quality pooja articles in today's
adulterated world as well as availability of all the items required is a major
concern for many devotees. Please check out our P-STORE page for various high
quality Pooja Samagri for your Pilgrimage or mail us :- [email protected] or
call us directly on Mobile :- +919619899406 or Land Phone :- +91 22 28470990.
Famous Festival
February-March : Annual Festival
April : Vishu
July-August : Ramayana Month
August-September : Onam
September-October : Navarathri
November-December: Mandalam Season
Temple Rituals
After the Athazha pooja (main evening pooja) at
Chottanikkara Temple, the chief priest of the principal deity comes to
Kizhukkavu to perform
Special Rituals
Cochin Dewasom Board has introduced a new system where in
the devotee can remit an amount of personal choice and decide to conduct
vazhipadu or offering regularly or on periodical intervals, like daily, weekly
/ annually or even according to star signs. This is called Nithyatha
Vazhipaadu.
Additional Info
Sree Krishna Bhavan Udupi Restaurant Infort, Statue
Junction, Kochi, Fort Road, Ambili Nagar, FACT Nagar, Thrippunithura,
Ernakulam, Kerala 682301 Phone:0484 277 4837
Supermarket : Available
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