Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple | Important Days | How To Reach
Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is perhaps the most famous Goddess temple in Kerala. The temple complex houses two main temples at different levels – Melekavu (the shrine above) and Kizhekavu (the shrine below). At Melekavu, the Divine Mother or Adiparasakthi is worshipped in three forms. In the morning, she is worshipped as Goddess Saraswathi and at noon she is Lakshmi and in the evening, she is Durga. As Saraswathi she is draped in white and as Lakshmi, she wears red. In the evening, the Goddess is dressed in blue. Lord Vishnu is worshipped along with Goddess Lakshmi in this temple and as you enter, you hear devotees chanting, Amme Narayana, Devi Narayana, Lakshmi Narayana and Bhadre Narayana. The temple complex also has shrines for Lord Brahma, Siva, Ganesh, Subrahmanya, Sastha and Nagas.
Kizhekavu Bhagavathi is believed to be Badrakali. It is common for people suffering from mental illnesses or other afflictions to do bhajanam for 41 days at Kezhekavu. It is believed that the Goddess will cure them of their afflictions. Another special offering performed at Kezhekavu is Guruthi Pooja. This is a special ritual performed to invoke Goddess Mahakali. No sacrifices are made these days and instead food is offered to the Goddess. What strikes you most about the Kizhekavu temple is the presence of trees especially baniyan with nails hammered into them. According to popular belief these nails are hammered by the devotees themselves into the tree with their forehead after they got cured of their mental illness. This practice is now forbidden.
Major festivals
The annual festival of the temple is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kumbam (mid-February to mid-March). On Rohini day, the festival begins with the flag hoisting ceremony. It is a 7day festival and culminates on Uthram day. Of these 7 days, the most important day is Makom. Seeking the darshan of the Goddess on this day is considered very auspicious for a long and blessed married life. It is believed that unmarried girls praying to the Goddess and obtaining her darshan on this day will be blessed with a suitable husband. Expect huge crowds of devotees on this day.
Chottanikkara Bhagavathy
Navarathri
This being a Goddess temple where all of her four forms – Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga and Kali – are worshipped with equal fervor, Navarathri is a major festival here. Durgashtami, Mahanavami and Vijayadasami are the most important days. Thousands of children are initiated to learning on Vijayadasami as part of the Vidyarambam ceremony. There will be stage programs performed by accomplished artists in Kerala and other states on all the 10 days of the festivals. There will also be processions involving elephants and percussion orchestra. The devotees are offered food during these days.
Mandala Maholsavam in Vrishchika
The Sabarimala pilgrim season (mid-November to mid-January) is also celebrated at the temple. During the Mandala Maholsavam which starts on Vrishchika 1 and lasts 41 days, there will be stage programs, and naama japam (the chanting of hymns). Devotees are offered food.
The Thrikkarthika festival comes during the Mandala Maholsavam. As it is the birthday of the Goddess, it is celebrated with great devotional fervor.
On Makarsankranti, one lakh oil lamps are lit (lakshadeepam). There will be fireworks as well. The 15 days starting January 1 and culminating on Makarsankranthi are also auspicious with special pujas and offerings.
How to reach
The temple is about 17 kilometers from Ernakulam (Kochi). The nearest railway station is Ernakulam South railway station (18 km). Ernakulam north railway station is 20 km away. The nearest airport is Kochi international airport (40 km). Buses are also available from Kochi and every other major town in Kerala.
Address: – The Executive Officer / The Devaswom Manager, Chottanikkara Devaswom, Chottanikkara, Ernakulam Dist., Kerala, Pin – 682 312,
Phone — (+91 484) 2711032 , 2713300