Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
Are you looking for information on Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple? Then read this article.
The deity in latrite called Rudraksha Sila is a swayambhu moorthy and was worshipped by many divine like Adisankaracharya, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, Kakkasseri Bhattathiri and Chemmangattu Bhattathiri. This is one of the very well known and famous temples of Kerala. The golden hued Idol bedecked with flowers, garlands, jewels and bathed in myrid of light is a sight see and I can guarantee that you will not be able to forget that scene in a hurry.
A visit to the temple brings relief to all the afflictions one has had and cures them from the overburdening anguish and agonies of the day to day life.
When the Sanctum Sanctorum opens in the wee hours of the early morning around 4 pm on all days except Friday and other special festival days when it opens at 3.30am, the blowing of the conch with the accompaniment of the musical instruments you are taken to another worldwhere you get peace and happiness just by being there at that time. The legend says that Sree Mookambika, the Goddess Saraswathi is present here at that time. That is the main reason for the Mookambika temple at Kollur opens latye in the morning after the Goddess returns from Chottanikkara.
Keezhkaavu Bhagavathy Kshetram
There is an idol facing westward of the deity Bhagavathy is placed at the eastern side of the temple pond by the Villwamangalam Swamikal. After the Athazha pooja (main pooja in the evening), the melsanthi or the chief priest of the main deity comes to Kizhukkavu performs the famous and great pooja "Valiya Guruthy". Guruthy is prepared in 12 big vessels and Guruthy is performed around 8.45 pm every night.
It is believed that those who witness the Guruthy performance, finds it an experience which is indescribable and gets completely cured of their mental abnormalities. There is ancient pala treee on the northeastern side of the sanctum sanctorum which is covered by long iron nails driven into the tree by the foreheads of the haunted victims.
Bhajanam Paarkkal at Chottanikkara Temple is an important vazhipaadu done at the temple. Those who want to do Bhajanam has to stay in the temple premises and follow the rules and regulations of the temple, only then the prayer will be fruitful. It is the way of appeasing the Goddess by undergoing sacrifices and hurting oneself for getting rid of mental or physical illness or afflictions, tension, stress and strains, lack of concentration, unruly behaviour, poor education, job or to get married or have no children etc.
Those who intend to conduct Bhajanam rituals at the temple has to undergo certain rules. You can go through these and then do accordingly.
There are other vazhipaadus and offerings which can be arranged for at the temple like Annadanam, Chuttuvilakku and Niramala, Appam, Ada, Payasam, Chathussadam, offering of paddy, Special Archana etc for winning the divine grace of the Goddess Chottanikkara amma.
Mandapathil Paattu at Chottanikkara is as sacred as the Udayasthamana Pooja at the Guruvayoor. On that day the whole temple will be decked up in the traditional style with various types of burning bronze oil lamps, tender coconut leaves cut into size, silk and satin clothes and fineries, leaves of sacred trees, fragrant flowers and yellow spikes of coconut and arecanut trees, several Niraparas (huge wooden measuring units filled with raw rice, fried paddy, paddy) and other ceremonial materials associated with bringing good luck and prosperity. Burning camphor and incenses will fill the air with rapturous fragrance.Brahmini Amma Paatu, a devotional song , is chanted in classical style with the accomplishment of a sin the sanctorum will be performed in the Mandapam also. All the poojas in the sanctorum will be performed in the Mandapam also on that day. Chathussatham Nivedyam is very significant onthis Mandapathil Paattu days and is given to all the devotees who participates in the program.
Devi Bhagavathy Prasadam through Post
The Devaswom Board has arranged to send Devi Prasadam to the devotees through Post. You can send the money to the given address with the required amount as a money order and mention your correct address in the space given at the bottom of the MO form. If in doubt you can also contat the officer at the below mentioned address / phone number
Executive officer,
Chottanikkara Devaswom
Phone : 0484 - 2711032, 2713300
How to Reach Chottanikkara temple
First you have to reach Ernakulam City and then decide your course from there. The temple is well connected to the airport, railway station and the bus stand. You can travel either by Private cabs, Taxis and auto rickshaws and even bus transport, which is very good in kerala. s
From Cochin Air Port - Kalamassery, Kakkanadu, Irimpanam, Karingachira, Chottanikkara 38.K.M.
From Eranakulam South Railway Station - Vyttila, Tripunithura, Thiruvankulam, Chottanikkara 18.K.M.
From Eranakulam North Railway Station - Palarivattom, Vyttila,Tripunithura,Thiruvankulam, Chottanikkara 20.K.M.
From Eranakulam K.S.R.T.C.Bus Stand - Vyttila, Tripunithura, Thiruvankulam, Chottanikkara 20.K.M.
From Kaloor Private Bus Stand - Palarivattom, Vyttila,Tripunithura,Thiruvankulam, Chottanikkara 22.K.m.
The best will be to reach the Ernakulam south station and take a cab from there if you do not want to undertake bus journey. The other routes and distance chart to the temple from other towns in Kerala can be seen in the official website of the temple.
Accommodations near the temple
Accommodation will be provided at the Chottanikkara Devasthanam. You can contact them in advance and they will arrange for the same.
Going for darshan to such Amman Temples are not joke! With real interest and BAKTHI only, one can go there. I went to the temple of Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Amman once - really a Goddess with Grace.
Also - in kerala,near Palgat,one Amman Temple is there called MEENKULATHTHIKAAVU AMMAN,this amman is so graceful if one see her image in mind and pray, then the grace of her will flourish.
BUT EVERYTHING TO SUCH AMMANS ARE WITH UTMOST CARE AND OBEYANCE OF THE RULES LAID IN THE TEMPLES. OUR EGO WILL CERTAINLY NOT CONSIDERED IN SUCH TEMPLES EVEN A BIT.