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Chottanikkara Temple, Ernakulam, Kerala

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Chottanikkara Temple is located in a hilly area and is surrounded by the picturesque landscapes, golden farms and serene ambience. Considered among the most celebrated shrines of Hinduism, the place is visited by a large number of devotees. The temple is dedicated to the deity Bhagavati.

Chottanikkara Temple, Ernakulam
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The goddess Bhagavati is known by the name Rajeshwari. The idol is made up of laterite. The deity is depicted with four arms and is covered with a golden “Kavach”. It is shown holding a discus and a conch. The devotees worship their goddess in different forms at different points of time in a day. In the morning time, she is worshipped as Saraswati and is dressed in white drapery. At noon, adorned in crimson costume, it is worshipped as Bhadrakali while in the evening, devotees offer prayers to her as Durga which is bedecked in blue.

The temple is under the authority of Cochin Devaswom Board; it is among the most important temple shrines of the state. The deity at Chottanikkara Temple is called by names like Devi Narayana, Bhadre Narayana, and Lakshmi Narayana. The temple also houses images of other deities like Shiva, Nagas, Ganesha, and Sastha all of which are placed in a separate temple called Keezhkavu Bhagavathy. The goddess is believed to have amazing powers that are supposed to heal the patients suffering form mental ailments. If you are going out in search of spirituality, then the atmosphere at the temple will give you the same.

Attractions of the Temple

The idol that forms part of the temple is 5 feet high and is laden with garlands, ornaments, and a number of spectacular lights. The image is called by the name “Rudraksha Mala”. It is irregular in form; devotees believe that the sculpture is not created by any human being and is born on its own. The worshippers can have a glimpse of the idol only at 4.00 in the morning. The idol does not even rests on ground. The image is shown with its consorts called Pushkala and Purna. The deity Sastha’s idol is also covered with gold. A platform which is located in the southern direction of the temple is believed to be the place where the goddess first emerged. It is called Pavazhamalli Thara. A shrine called Kizhukkavu that houses the image of Bhadrakali is located outside the temple premises. Here a small idol of this deity is placed in the shrine. According to the worshippers, a saint by the name of Vilwamangalam Swamigal found the idol in a tank. This goddess of Chottanikkara Temple is supposed to ward of evil spirits and other psychological illnesses. Near the shrine of Kizhukkavu, a famous Paala tree is present. As you visit the temple, you will come to know that a special practice by the devotees is prevalent here. Those who are known to have been occupied by devilish spirits hammer a nail by their forehead into the trunk of the tree. This hammering is supposed to make the devil immobile.

Valiya Guruthy: It is the pooja ceremony that is practiced at Kizhukkavu daily at 8.45 in the evening. A solution consisting of lime and turmeric is prepared; being blood red in shape this solution is considered sacred by the devotees. As you will notice, this Puja ceremony is said to cure women who are patients of several mental diseases.

Ulsavam: It is the famous festival which is celebrated in the months of February and March. A week long celebrations commence with a flag-hoisting ceremony. Aarattu and Ezhunnellippu are the special features of this festival. The devotees form several parts of the state gather at the temple premises during this special event and seek blessing of the divine mother for happy marital life.

Other Festivals: Navarathri Aghosham is celebrated on Vijayadashami; it is attended by a large gathering of worshippers. Vrischika Mandala is celebrated by lighting of myriad of lamps. Major offerings that are made at the temple premises include Bhajan, Thrikala Pooja, Noorum Palum, Chathussadam, Guruthi Vazhipadu, and Palpayasam.

Legend Associated with the Temple

The legend that is linked with Chottanikkara Temple goes like that. Kannappan was a dacoit that lived in the dense forests. One day, he brought home a cow for slaughtering. But the cow disappeared in the forest; as he reached home after spending some futile efforts in its search, he found that his daughter was playing with that cow. Considering that cow to be miraculous one, he spared its life. After some time, his daughter passed away; this changed the dacoit completely. In his dream, he saw goddess Bhagavathy who revealed that cow that had brought to his home was the goddess herself. Next day, he saw images of the sacred deities in his cowshed. Inspired by this, he built a sacred shrine at the place.

Soon, with the passage of time, the temple fell to the ruins. One day, a woman came to the place and as she was sharpening her knife, blood stared oozing out. Surprised by this, a temple was again erected at the place.

Weather

The weather in Chottanikkara, like much of Kerala, is characterized by a tropical climate. The region experiences two primary seasons – the monsoon season and the dry season. The monsoon season, from June to September, brings heavy rainfall, lush greenery, and cooler temperatures. On the other hand, the dry season, from October to May, offers more comfortable weather with warm temperatures and less rainfall. It’s important to note that the temple remains open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit based on your weather preferences.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Chottanikkara Temple largely depends on your weather preferences and the type of experience you seek. If you enjoy the lush beauty of the monsoon season and don’t mind occasional rain, visiting from June to September can be a unique experience. However, if you prefer more comfortable and drier weather, it’s advisable to plan your visit during the dry season, which spans from October to May. The months of October to February are especially pleasant for temple visits as the weather is relatively cooler during this period.

How to Reach

Chottanikkara Temple is situated approximately 17 kilometers (about 10.5 miles) to the southeast of Kochi, a major city in Kerala. There are several convenient ways to reach the temple:

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