Chottanikkara Devi Temple is located on the Trippunithura route, 15 km away from Ernakulam. Although popularly called as Raja Rajeshwari, Devi is known by various names such as Badrakali, Durga, Saraswathi and Amman.
According to local practice, Raja Rajeshwari is worshiped as Saraswathi in the morning drapped in white, as Bhadra Kali in the afternoon draped in crimpson and as Durga in the evening decked in blue. The image of Bhagawati (Rajarajeswari) is of laterite; untouched by the human sculptor, this image is of irregular shape. and is covered with a golden kavacam. The image has four arms. The upper right holds the discus, the left a conch.
Adjacent to this image in the sanctum is an image of Vishnu in granite. Vishnu and Bhagawati together are referred to as Lakshminarayana. The prayers here address the deity as Amme Narayana, Devi Narayana and Lakshmi Narayana Interestingly, the image here is not fixed to the ground and is mounted on loose sand. Water offered during ablution ceremonies percolates underground.
There is also a shrine to Sastha depicting him with his consorts Purna and Pushkala. In front of the shrine are the flagstaff and the bali pitham. To the south is a platform known as Pavazhamallithara where the deity is believed to have appeared first. To the south west is a shrine to Shiva. To the north east there is a flight of steps leading to the Keezhkaavu, a shrine to Bhadrakali.
Legend has it that a ferocious dacoit by name Kannappan who dominated this area, brought home a cow with the intent of slaughtering it. The cow escaped his butchering knife, and set him running in hot pursuit. His chase in vain, Kannappan returned home to find his beloved daughter playing with the very same cow. Complying with her request, he forsake the idea of killing the cow. His daughter passed away, and this greatly grieved him. Goddess Bhagawati appeared in his dream, and revealed to him that it was she who had come to him in the form of a cow. To his surprise, he saw two images in the cowshed the following day; the images were those of Devi and Vishnu. Kannappan built a humble shrine and worshipped the images in the cowshed.
Eventually this shrine fell under repair and was discovered later and sanctified. It then grew into a shrine of the magnitude seen today, over a period of time. Much of the structure in this temple is a result of renovation carried out by the government of Cochin, in late 19th century.
This temple in Kerala is well known throughout this part of the country for the healing powers, particularly relating to mental illness and such disorders. .
The devotees are mostly from a class who have faith in curing patients supposed to be possessed by some sort of spirits. It is very difficult to say whether the cure is the result of the psychological faith in the Goddess or due to the environment within the temple. Mostly, the patients are psychological cases and faith probably cures them. The Chief priest of the temple engages the patients in a sort of conversation and then orders the spirit to leave the patient and go elsewhere. This practice of driving an iron nail into a wooden pillar in the temple, indicated that the spirit is permanently made immobile.
The sacred doors of the sanctum sanctorum open in the wee hours of the day, at 4.00 a.m. The blowing of the conch and playing of the temple musical instruments lend an enchanting ritualistic rhythm and peace to those who seek a sure answer to the patient prayers. Sree Mookambika Saraswathy is also believed as present in the temple in the morning.
That is why Mookambika Temple at kollur opens only after the Goddess Saraswathy returns to there late in the morning.
KIZHUKKAVU TEMPLE
On the eastern side of the temple pond stands the Kizhukkavu temple.The idol facing westward is belived to be installed by Villwamangalam Swamiyaar. Legend has it that the deity appeared in front of Vilvamangalam Swamigal a saint associated with this shrine and with Guruvayur. Vilvamangalam Swamy is said to have discovered Bhadrakali enshrined in Keezhkaavu.
After the Athazha pooja (main pooja in the evening), the chief priest of the principal deity comes to Kizhukkavu to perform the famous and great pooja "ValiyaGuruthy" (great Sacrifice). The Guruthy is prepared in 12 cauldrons (huge vessel) and is performed at about 8.45 p.m every night.
Those who witness the guruthy performance, which itself is awe inspiring and prolonged ceremony, finds it an experience which is indescribable. Being present
here during Valiya guruthy on Fridays permanently cures women suffering from mental abnormalities like schizophrenia.
An ancient 'Pala' tree standing on the northeastern side of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with long iron nails hammered on by haunted victims with their foreheads.
Festival:The The annual festival here is celebrated in the month of Kumbha or Aquarius (Feb - Mar). Maasi Makam, coinciding with the full moon, during this festival attracts vast crowds.this is known as makam thozal.
Main offerings: 'Payasam' and 'Guruthy'
Main poojas:
Name of offerings: Amount
1 Pushpanjaly : 260.00
2 Guruthy : 325.00
3 Sathru Samhara Pushpanjali 650.00
4 Guruthy Pushpanjali 325.00
5 Lalitha Sahasra Namarchana 455.00
6 Swayamvara Pushpanjali 520.00
7 Saraswatha Pushpanjali 520.00
8 Mruthyunjaya Pushpanjali 520.00
9 lykyamathyam Pushpanjali 481.00
10 Ashtothara Pushpanjali 390.00
11 Bhagyasooktham Pushpanjali 390.00
12 Moolamanthra Pushpanjali 390.00
The Prasadam will be sent Twelve Months after Conducting the Pushpanjali :
Amount may be sent by Money Order/ Cheque / Draft to the following address:
Please send Cheques and Drafts to The Executive Officer, Chottanikkara Devaswom.
All Money Orders to The Devaswom Manager, Chottanikkara Devaswom,
Chottanikkara, Ernakulam Dist., Kerala, Pin - 682 312,
Phone: 0484 - 2711032 , 2713300
E-Mail : eo@chottanikkarabhagavathy.org
