Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple

Dear Agnisharman,

NAMASTHE MAHADEVI HE VARNAROOPE NAMASTHE GIRAMDEVI GHEERVANA VANDYE NAMASTHE MAHAPADMA KANTHARAVASE SAMASTHANJA VIDYAM PRADEHI PRADEHI

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is the most important temple among the 393 shrines spread over 3 Districts of Kerala and coming under the administration of Cochin Devaswom Board. The divine mother known as Rajarajeswari (Adiparasakthi) is worshipped here in three forms; Saraswathy in the morning, Lakshmi at noon and Durga in the evening. There is an idol of Mahavishnu on the same pedestal and so the deity is called Ammenarayana, Devinarayana, Lakshminarayana and Bhadrenarayana also. Along with Lakshmi & Narayana there are idols of Brahma, Siva, Ganapathi, Subramanya and Sastha on the same pedestal.

Apart from the main deity, the temple complex consists of Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy temple, temples for Sastha, Siva, Ganapathi, Nagas and other Upa-Devas. The pleasant atmosphere in the temple gives mental peace and harmony to devotees.

"MAKOM Thozhal" (worship on the Makom day) is the most important festival of the temple which is celebrated in the month of Kumbham. (Feb / March). It is believed that Bhagavathy in her full attire gave darsan to Vilwamangalam Swamiyar on the Makom day and appears on the same day every year for giving darsan to the devotees in her special appearance. The temple of Chottanikkara is a living legend embellished in magnificent mythology and awe-inspiring truth. Its historical appeal and traditional influence on generations of people is tremendous. Legends say that the presence of divinity here was worshipped by Bhogacharya. It is the cynosure of thousands of devotees swarming from all over the world on all auspicious and festive occasions. The golden hued idol bedecked with flowers, garlands, jewels and bathed in myrid of light shine splendidly.

The temple is situated in hilly region surrounded on all sides by undulating beauty, rich with its green turf, golden farms and provides deep spiritual solace to the entire devotees.This is one of the most celebrated hindu shrines of Kerala. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees of the Goddess visit here and make their reverential offerings to redeem them of their afflictions. A visit to the temple brings relief to them from the overburdening anguish and agonies of material life.

The sacred doors of the sanctum sanctorum open in the wee hours of the day, at 4.00 a.m. The blowing of the conch and playing of the temple musical instruments lend an enchanting ritualistic rhythm and peace to those who seek a sure answer to the patient prayers. Sree Mookambika Saraswathy is also believed as present in the temple in the morning. That is why Mookambika Temple at kollur opens only after the Goddess Saraswathy returns to there late in the morning.

On the eastern side of the temple pond stands the Kizhukkavu temple. The idol facing westward is believed to be installed by Vilwamangalam Swamiyaar. After the Athazha pooja (main pooja in the evening), the chief priest of the principal deity comes to Kizhukkavu to perform the famous and great pooja "ValiyaGuruthy" (great Sacrifice).The guruthy is prepared in 12 cauldrons (huge vessel) and is performed at about 8.45 p.m every night. Those who witness the guruthy performance, which itself is awe inspiring and prolonged ceremony, finds it an experience which is indescribable.