Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple

Overview

The Chottanikkara (correction of Jyotiannakkara) Temple is a famous temple of the Hindu mother goddess Bhagavathi. The temple is located at Chottanikkara near Ernakulam in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

About the Temple

Chottanikkara Temple is a standout amongst the most mainstream temples in the state and as far as temple design, this temple emerges to be an extreme testimonial for the antiquated vishwakarma sthapathis (wooden figure) in chiseling this temple alongside Sabarimala. Lord Shiva is likewise worshiped at the temple. Individuals experiencing emotional instabilities ordinarily visit the temple, as Bhagawati is thought to cure her followers. One ought not miss the 'Guruthi Pooja' in the "Keezhkkaavu" temple at Chottanikkara. This is a custom done at late night to summon the goddess. Prior 'Guruthi Pooja' was done just on Fridays.

About the Deity

Goddess Bhagavathy prevalently known as Raja Rajeswari is the directing divinity. The Goddess is adored as Goddess Saraswathy in the morning, Goddess Bhadrakali at twelve and as Goddess Durga at night. Symbol of Lord Vishnu is likewise blessed in the sanctum sanctorum. Henceforth the divinity is venerated by droning Amme Narayana, Devi Narayana, Lekshmi Narayana, Bhadre Narayana. Master Sastha, Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy and Nagaraja are alternate gods.

Legend and Stories

The zone in which the temple is arranged was before a thick backwoods that was accepted to be plagued by yakshis and rakshasas. A tribesman named Kannappan used to live in this timberland. He was a faithful admirer of Kali, and would customarily yield dairy animals to her each Friday (the day of the Goddess). One day, he found an excellent dark calf close to the woodland. He captured the calf and took her to his sacrificial table. Just before he relinquished the calf, tribesman's little girl Manimanga ventured in and argued to him to stop the give up. The man adored his little girl and therefore let her keep the calf as a pet. Shockingly, Manimanga kicked the bucket some days after the fact, conceivably because of a snake nibble. Kannappan broke into tears and chose to incinerate her body. Incredibly, his little girl's body vanished. An adjacent cleric disclosed to him the explanation behind such an event; Kannappan used to persuasively take youthful calves from their moms and relinquished them. As discipline, he met a similar destiny when his girl kicked the bucket. In any case, when the tribes man searched for the calf, he discovered two celestial stones in its place. The cleric again reveals to him that the stones were really divine and that they spoke to the awesome couple, Vishnu and Lakshmi, and to ask before these stones ordinary and he would be excused for what he had done previously.

Since Kannappan's demise, the stones were overlooked. One day, a grass-cutter went to the woodland to cut some wild grass. Since her blade was limit, she honed it on what she believed was a major stone. Just it was a stone, however then it began dying. Astonished at what she saw, she conveyed the matter to people in general's consideration. An adjacent cleric was called to take care of the issue. After devaprasnam, it was inferred that the stones were divine.

Another legend related to the temple was that of the otherworldly pioneer Shankaracharya(Adi Shankara). Amid the time where he lived, Adi Shankara understood that there wasn't a solitary temple in Kerala that meant the love of goddess Saraswati. Subsequently, he himself went to the Chamundi slopes in Karnataka and ruminated for a long time for the goddess to show up before him. His contemplation proved to be fruitful and before him stood the stunningly excellent goddess, clad in white. On enquiry, he said that he might want to convey the goddess to Kerala and set up a temple devoted to her love. Along these lines the general population from Kerala would not need to go such far away separations to love her, as for the situation for the individuals who were old and matured. After a considerable measure of influence, the goddess concurred; she would tail him by foot wherever he went, however just on one condition. On the off chance that he puts stock in her, then he was not permitted to think back to check whether she tailed him or not. On the off chance that he did, then wouldn't go any further. He concurs and they continue strolling. They were strolling down the Kodachadri slopes, with Shankara driving the way and goddess' anklets tinkling and telling him that she was with him. Subsequent to strolling some separation, the tinkling ceased unexpectedly. Shankara held up a couple of minutes and stole a brisk look in reverse to discover the goddess still with him, watching him with rebuke. With regards to the condition, the goddess ceased in that spot. Shankara, nonetheless, was not one to surrender. He apologized plentifully to break the condition and over and again asked and begged the goddess to run with him to Kerala. After numerous supplications, the goddess consents to a bargain. From early hours of morning, she would come and show up before the enthusiasts at the Chottanikkara temple. At that point toward the evening, she would come back to the spot where she ceased. This is the spot which would end up being the Mookambika temple. From that point forward, before the entryways of the principle sanctum in Mookambika temple were opened, the sanctum entryways of the Chottanikkara temple were opened amid early morning hours out of appreciation for revering goddess Saraswati, where the symbol is clad in white pieces of clothing.

Festivals

Poora Maholsavam is the main festival celebrated for nine days in the month of Kumbham (February-March). Makam arterism day in the month of Kumbham is very important. It is believed that on this day Vilwamangalath Swamiyar had seen the Goddess Maha Lakshmi with Lord Maha Vishnu together after consecrating the idol at Keezh Kavu. Thrikkarthika, Navarathri, Mandala pooja period are also important festivals.

Pooja

Five poojas – Usha Pooja, Ethrth pooja, Pantheeradi Pooja, Ucha Pooja and Athazha pooja – are held daily.

Pooja Timing

4:00 am - Temple Opens
5:00 am - Dhaara for Lord Siva
5:30 am - Ethirthu pooja
6:00 am - Seeveli
7:30 am - Guruthi at Keezhkkavu
7:45 am - Pantheeradi Pooja
12:00 Noon - Uchcha Pooja
12:10 pm - Uchcha Seeveli
4:00 pm - Temple Opens
6:30 pm - Deeparadhana
7:30 pm - Athazha Pooja
8:00 pm - Seeveli
8:45 pm - Valia Guruthi at Kizhukkavu

The main deeparadhana of the temple is also telecast directly on the temple website at 6.30 pm every day.

Prasad and Offering

Pushpanjaly
Guruthy
Sathru Samhara Pushpanjali
Guruthy Pushpanjali
Lalitha Sahasra Namarchana
Swayamvara Pushpanjali
Saraswatha Pushpanjali Mruthyunjaya Pushpanjali
lykyamathyam Pushpanjali
Ashtothara Pushpanjali
Bhagyasooktham Pushpanjali
Moolamanthra Pushpanjali

Dress Code

Men will be required to remove their shirts before entering the temple. Women will be required to wear either sarees or salwar suit in order to gain entrance.

How To Reach Ernakulam

International Air Port is at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, about 22 km away from Ernakulam, Kochi. The nearest railway station is Chottanikkara Road (KFE) which is close to the temple. KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Ernakulam Junction railway station.

Temple Address

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple,
Chottanikkara, Ernakulam, Kerala.