Chottanikkara Temple - चोट्टानिक्कारा मंदिर

Chottanikkara Temple also known as Chottanikkarabhagavathi Temple is one of the famous temples in Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple is dedicated to Devi Bhagavathi Lakshmi. In Chottanikkara Devi Bhagavathi is considered to be the combined form of all three aspects of the supreme feminine power and is accordingly worshiped in the morning, during the day and in the evening as Devi Mahasaraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali. As Devi Saraswati, she is seen in pure white attire. During the afternoon, Devi Lakshmi wears a dark red dress, and during the evening, Devi Durga appears in bright blue. The Cochin Devaswom Board manages the Chottanikkara Temple.

History and Architecture of Chottanikkara Temple
❀ Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple is about 1,500 years old. It has great historical and traditional influence. The divine Devi was worshiped by Bhogacharya. The deity called Rudraksha Sila in laterite was worshiped by divine saints including Adi Shankaracharya, Vilvamangala Swamiyar, Chemmanagattu and Kakkasseri Bhattathiri.
❀ The original idol of Devi Bhagwati is about four feet high, faces east, and is made of red laterite. The Devi is considered 'Swayambhu' (self-manifested). The image is called Rudraksha Sila and is irregular in shape. This image can be seen only in the morning when the sanctum sanctorum opens for Nirmalyam.
❀ The golden colored idol of Devi Bhagwati in the main temple is beautifully decorated with colorful sarees and exquisite jewellery. Additionally, she is also seen holding a disc in her upper right hand; The upper left hand holds a conch, the lower right hand appears in a boon-granting posture, and the lower left hand appears in an abhaya posture. Shankha and Chakra are the famous weapons of Vishnu. Hence Devi Bhagwati is also seen as an incarnation of Vishnu, and it is no surprise that people worship her with the mantras 'Amme Narayan, Devi Narayan, Lakshmi Narayan, Bhadre Narayan'.
❀ Standing as an excellent example of wooden architecture and sculpture, this temple complex is one of the most outstanding examples in the state. Apart from the main temple of Bhagavathi Amman, there are separate temples for Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Ganesh, Subramaniam, Hanuman and Nag Devta.
❀ Therefore, it is believed that the Devi will be present for the devotees at Chottanikkara temple in the morning and will return to Mookambika in the afternoon. Therefore it is customary that the doors of the Chottanikkara temple are opened first in the morning and only then the sanctum sanctorum at Mookambika is opened.

Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple Darshan Timings
Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple is open throughout the week and darshan timings are 04.00 AM – 12.00 PM (Noon) and evening: 04.00 PM – 08.00 PM.

Festivals Celebrated at Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple
Makom Thozal, falling in February-March, is the main festival of the temple and is celebrated for seven days. Devi Bhagwati is dressed in her attire, and elephant processions and elaborate pujas are conducted at the temple. Many weddings are also organized in the temple during the festival. The annual festival of the temple falls on the Rohini Nakshatra day in February–March with the flag hoisting ceremony. This festival continues for nine days.

Vishu, Thiruvonam festival, Navaratri are the major festivals. Trikarthika festival falls in this month and is the birthday of the Devi. This festival is celebrated for three days. Tuesday and Friday are very important for Devi Bhagwati and devotees visit the temple on these days.

How to reach Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple
❀ Ernakulam city is very well connected to other cities in every way, the nearest airport is Kochi International Airport, located 38 kilometers from the temple.
❀ The nearest railway station is Ernakulam South Railway Station which is located 18 kilometers away from the temple.
❀ The nearest bus station is KSRTC Central Bus Station, located 20 kilometers from the temple.
❀ Nearest Metro station: SN Junction which is 7.6 kms from Temple.

Things to Keep in Mind Before entering Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple
Men will enter without shirts and girls only allowed with traditional dresses.

Experience of Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple
❀ The temple is situated in a hilly area and is surrounded by greenery. The temple has a calming and soothing effect on the devotees.
❀ Bursting crackers is a unique form of puja, performed by the devotees here, and this popular ritual is known by the name 'Vedi Vajipadu'.
❀ Inside the temple you will also see elephants with trunks. Children can also enjoy inside the temple.
❀ Guruthi puja is conducted every day late in the evening. The ritual involves reciting divine verses while offering twelve pots of guruthi – a mixture of lemon and turmeric, which turns red – to the Devi.
❀ Here is a provision for Tulabharam where you can donate essential commodities against your body weight.
❀ Both Devi's Bhagwati and Bhadrakali are considered to be divine healers, who can cure devotees even from incurable diseases and mental illnesses and free them from the possession of evil spirits. Those who are freed from the clutches of evil spirits drive a nail into an old 'Pala' tree found in the premises or on its fence. In earlier days, devotees used to hammer nails into the tree using their forehead instead of a hammer. The Devi has blessed and healed innumerable devotees, and this tree is a testament to the incredible faith of the devotees.