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