Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple ( ചോറ്റാനിക്കര ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം) is a temple located in Chottanikkara in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. She is the Adi Parashakti addressed by common names like Bhagwati and Devi. She is the ultimate power that was enshrined in this temple along. For this reason, devotees chant ‘Amme Narayana, Devi Narayana, Lakshmi Narayana, Bhadre Narayana’.
The temple is mainly dedicated to the three great deities. Saraswati (Mookambika) is worshiped in the morning wrapped in a white sari, Bhadrakali in the afternoon wrapped in a red sari with elaborate Shringaar and worshiped in the evening as Goddess Durga wrapped in a blue sari.
Also known as Mahalakshmi and Sri Parvati.
The story exceeds everyone’s expectations needed to carry Sharadaamba to Kerala and he mulled over a slope. Goddess obliged him and followed him depending on the prerequisite that he won’t think back. Adi Shankara monitored the sound of anklets. At the point when he was unable to hear the anklets, he paused and thought back. The spot was Kollur and Devi chose to remain there. On exceptional arguing, she consented to visit the Chottanikkara sanctuary each day. This is the manner by which she is venerated in a white Sari here each day.
Chottanikkara Amma is worshiped in the concept of ‘Rajarajeswari’ as she has a total of five expressions.
It is believed that Chottanikkarayamma cures mental illnesses and bad habits. So a lot of mentally ill people come here. They perform offerings such as ‘Bhajanam Irikkal’ and ‘Guruthipooja’.
Chottanikkara is one of the famous Durga temples of the region. Chottanikkara is the second most visited temple in Kerala after Sabarimala and Guruvayur.
There are two temples at Chottanikkara, Melkavu and Keezhkavu. Melkavu is the main temple. The lower part is below the main temple
Keezhkavilamma is Bhadrakali, the epitome of parasitism. This is where the famous offering of ‘Guruthi Pooja’ is performed. There are several steps leading from the top to the bottom. The temple is under the Cochin Devaswom Board.
The festivals are ‘Makam Tozhal’, Pooram Tozhal, Navratri and Thrikkarthika in the month of Kumbham. Many devotees also visit this place during the Sabarimala Mandalolsavam.
History of Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
The sanctuary of Chottanikkara Bhagavathy has incredible recorded allure and conventional impact. The Divine Goddess was revered by the Bhogacharya. The god in laterite called Rudraksha Sila was revered by divine holy people that included Adi Shankaracharya, Vilwamangala Swamiyar, Chemmangattu, and Kakkasseri Bhattathiri.
The credit for the beginning of the Goddess here has a place with the incredible holy person Adi Shankara. Understanding that there was no sanctuary for Goddess Lakshmi in Kerala, Adi Shankara is said to have once contemplated the Devi at the Kodachadri Hills in the present-day Karnataka. Satisfied with his dedication, the Goddess consented to follow him any place he went by walking, however relying on the prerequisite that he ought to never think back even once, to really look at her essence. Be that as it may, on their excursion towards Kerala, the holy person had to think back to beware of her at a point, and the Goddess waited there itself! That spot was the heavenly Mookambika, in the Karnataka state.
However stunned by the unforeseen development, Adi Shankara looked for her exculpation with earnest supplications, and the sympathetic Goddess consented to proceed with him, lastly took her homestead at Chottanikkara, as Goddess Bhagavathy, according to Adi Shankara’s desire.
Consequently, it is accepted that the Goddess would be available for the lovers at the Chottanikkara Temple during the morning hours and would get back to Mookambika in the early evening. Consequently it is a training to open the Chottanikkara sanctuary entryways first, promptly toward the beginning of the day, and afterward just open the sanctum at Mookambika.
Architecture of Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
This sanctuary complex that stands as an incredible illustration of wooden design and model likewise stays one of the greatest in the state. Aside from the Bhagavathy Amman’s principle hallowed place, there are independent altars for Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Dharma Sastha, Ganesha, Subramanya, Hanuman, and the Nagas, here. Keezhkavu Bhagavathy, the Goddess in the forceful Bhadrakali structure, is revered independently in a lower-level inverse to an enormous tank, and her venerated image is said to have been introduced here by Saint Vilvamangalam Swamiyar. The enthusiasts have a conviction that they should visit and implore at both the fundamental sanctuary of Goddess Bhagavathy in Chottanikkara and, additionally, at the Keezhkavu sanctuary, for their love to be finished.
Festivals at Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
The sanctuary praises the principle celebration of Makom Thozhal that falls in February-March for seven days. The Goddess Bhagavathy is wearing her delicacy, and the sanctuary holds elephant parades and elaborate poojas. Numerous weddings also are directed at the sanctuary during the celebration.
The yearly celebration of the sanctuary falls in February-March with the banner raising service upon the arrival of Rohini star. The celebration goes on for nine days.
Different celebrations remember Vishu for mid-April.
In August-September, the sanctuary praises the Thiruvonam celebration, and Annadanam is directed. Navaratri in October draws in numerous aficionados. In November-December, the sanctuary praises the Mandala Mahotsavam during the whole Mandalam season. The Thrikkarthika celebration happens in this month and is the birthday of the Goddess. The celebration is praised for three days.
Tuesdays and Fridays are vital for Goddess Bhagavathy and aficionados rush to the sanctuary on nowadays.
Temple Timings
Morning: 04.00 am – 12.00 pm (early afternoon).
Evening: 04.00 pm – 08.00 pm.