Bhagavathy Temple

Overview

The Chettikulangara Bhagavathi temple is one of the famous Devi kshetras in Kerala, India. The temple is situated at Chettikulangara town in Mavelikkara taluk of Alappuzha district. The temple is dedicated to goddess Shakti.

About the deity

The important feature of this Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi temple is that its chief deity Devi Bhagavathi, appears as Maha Saraswathi in the morning, Maha Lakshmi at noon and Devi Durga or Bhadrakali in the evening. The temple has totally 13 "Karas", or territories. The temple lies at the centre of four oldest Karas namely Erezha South, Erezha North, Kaitha South and Kaitha North. The rest of the Karas (Kannamangalam South, Kannamangalam North, Pela, Kadavoor, Anjilipra, Mattam North, Mattam South, Menampally and Nadakkavu) stand surrounding this 1200 year old temple. The Thantric right of this temple rests with the revered Plackudy Illam (family), which has its base (Tharavadu) in the town of Ambalapuzha. The Plackudy family is one of the ancient Thantric families of Kerala.

About The Temple

There are a number of tales associated with the origin of Chettikulangara Bhagavathi temple. Below are a few.

Many centuries ago, few local chieftains are said to have visited the Koypallikarazhma Bhagavathi temple to witness its annual festival. The Koypallikarazhma Bhagavathi temple is situated only a few kilometers away from Chettikulangara. The visitors are said to be humiliated and ridiculed by the Koypallikarazhma temple authorities and the village chieftains there. The chieftains of Chettikulangara who felt insulted, decided to construct a Bhagavathi temple at Chettikulangara to avenge for their humiliation. The people of Chettikulangara united for this cause, and headed by the Karanavars (Family Heads) decided to seek the blessings of the holy Kodungallur Bhagavathi in this mission. They set on a sacred pilgrimage tour and visited various temples en route to Kodungallur. On reaching the renowned Kodungallur temple, they performed Bhajanam (chanting of devotional songs) for 12 consecutive days in order to invoke the Goddess. The appeased Devi had appeared in their dreams and had revealed that she would soon come to Chettikulangara. The following day, the pilgrims journeyed back towards Chettikulangara, with a sacred sword gifted by Velichappadu of Kodungallur temple. Upon their return, they also started the construction works of this temple.

Few days later one evening, an old woman is said to have requested a kadathukaran (local boatman) of the Karippuzha rivulet, to drop her in the other shore. The boatman decided to help the old lady and accompanied her to Chettikulangara, where she was headed for. On their way, they had rested underneath a wayside tree (this place presently houses the Puthusseriambalam temple). The Kadathukaran then brought food for the two of them from a nearby washerman’s house. He fell asleep soon after eating and upon waking up early in the morning, he discovered that the lady had vanished. (It is said that this boatman was a Christian, and for helping Devi to ferry across the Karippuzha thodu, the descendents of his family were entrusted with the job of Vedi(ritual fireworks at the temple). When he elaborated this mysterious incident to the villagers of Chettikulangara, they believed that the Devi had reached Chettikulangara as promised.

The following day, annual maintenance works on thatched roof was underway at the Illam (A traditional house of a Brahamin) adjacent to the present temple. When Antharjanam of the house was serving the Kanji (Rice porridge), Muthirapuzhukku (a local special dish with ingredients of baked Horse Gram cereal and kneaded coconut) and Asthram (another side dish, a paste of different locally procured vegetables) to the workers, a strange old woman is said to have joined them for lunch. Soon Aftet, the old lady is said to have moved to the western side of the house and vanished into thin air with a bright glow. The Antharjanam who witnessed this event, fell unconscious and later elaborated this divine experience to others.

On the same day, it is believed that the Devi showed her presence to the village chieftains. On approaching a renowned astrologer, it was confirmed that the goddess Bhagavathi had indeed reached Chettikulangara.

According to another version, this temple was consecrated by Padmapadacharyar (a leading disciple of Adi Shankara) on the Uthrittathi star of Makara month in A.D. 823. Few people argue that the goddess here was actually a family deity, and later emerged as the deity of this entire village and region. Some historians feel that the temple is actually not as ancient as the nearby Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple or Mavelikara Krishna Swamy, since no mention of this temple has been made on the text Unnuneeli Sandesam written in the 14th century. According to the late Kandiyoor Mahadeva Shasthri, Samudra Bandhan who was a leading courtier to Ravi Varman, an ancient ruler of Venad had in fact visited this temple and had written poems on this deity.

It is also believed that King Aadithya Kulasekharan of Venad (1374 A.D. to 1389 A.D.) visited this famous temple at Chettkulangara. One faction of people believes that this Devi temple was an old kavu where Kadmattathachan Nambuthiri tried to control a yakshi, on his way to nearby panayanarkavu at parumala from Thevalakara. Since he couldn't give her a place to stay, he prayed this goddess here and was able to control her. The yakshi is still said to exist in the temple compound. The Sreekovil presently found in this temple is considered just around 450–480 years old, while the Chuttambalam is not more than a couple of centuries old. According to local historians, the temple’s infrastructure was developed by a number of local chieftains from time to time. The present Sreekoil is said to have been revamped during A.D.1540. Due to a small fire at this temple complex, the Chuttambalam was slightly modified around the Malayalam year 1002.

People also believe that the Chettikulangara Devi is the daughter of Kodungallur Bhagavathi Amma, who graces at this temple for the well being of the people around Onattukara (Mavelikara). Some Chettyar families from Tamil Nadu is also said to be related with the name of the place Chettikulangara.

Festivals

The annual festival Chettikulangara Bharani temple is held during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March).

How To Reach Bhagavathy Temple

Road

The nearest bus stop is the Thamaramkulangara stop

Railways

The nearest railhead is Kayamkulam and Mavelikkara railway stations.

Airport

The Cochin International Airport is the closest located airport.

Temple Address

Bhagavathy Temple,
Chettikulangara, P.O. Mavelikkara,
Chettikulangara, Alappuzha,
Kerala - 690106.