Chottanikkara Temple
| Chottanikkara Temple | |
|---|---|
Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple | |
Chottanikkara Amma) with Narayana | |
| Festivals | Makam Thozhal, Navarathri |
| Location | |
| Location | Chottanikkara |
| State | Kerala |
| Country |  India |
  | |
| Geographic coordinates | 9°55′59.4″N 76°23′29.1″E / 9.933167°N 76.391417°E |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | One |
| Elevation | 52.47 m (172 ft) |
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
|---|
 |
| Part of a series on |
| Shaktism |
|---|
 |
 Hinduism portal |
| Part of a series on |
| Vaishnavism |
|---|
 |
The Chottanikkara (correction of Jyotiannakkara) Devi Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu mother goddess
In terms of temple architecture, the Chottanikkara temple stands out to be an ultimate testimonial to the ancient transl. hi – transl.
Legend
 |
The area in which the temple is situated was once a dense jungle. A tribesman named Kannappan used to live in this forest. He was a devout worshipper of the goddess
Since Kannappan's death, the stones were forgotten. The stone was rediscovered accidentally by a low caste grass cutter, who found that blood was oozing out of a stone which she had accidentally cut. Horrified at what she saw, she brought the matter to the public's attention. A nearby priest was called to solve the problem. After devaprasnam, it was concluded that the stone was divine. That day, the elder Brahmin of the Yedattu house came along with some puffed rice in a coconut shell and this was offered to the Goddess for the first time. Even today this system of offering puffed rice in a coconut shell continues. The Brahmins of Yedattu house became the hereditary priests at this temple since those days.
Another legend associated to the temple is that of the spiritual leader
From early hours of morning, goddess would come and appear before the devotees at the Chottanikkara temple in the form of Goddess Mahasaraswati. Then in the afternoon, she would return to the
Legend behind Keezhkavu
The idol at Keezhkavu didn't come until after the temple was built. Here is a legend that believed to be happened at least 3 or 4 centuries before. One night, a Brahmin by name Gupthan Namboodiri who was pursued by a disguised
Makam Thozhal
The annual Chottanikkara Makam Thozhal is the major festival in Chottanikara temple. Tradition states that it was on this day (mithuna lagna on Makam) that the Vilvumangala Swamiyar saw the goddess at the temple and the devotees continue to worship the goddess at the temple into the present day.[5]
On the Makam Thozhal day, the ritualistic bath of goddess in the morning at the sacred pond Calli Onakkuttichira far on the northern side of the temple.[5] After that, the goddess is brought to the temple accompanied by Lord Sastha on the back of seven caparisoned elephants march towards the "Pooraparambu" the traditional vantage point where they remain till 11 a.m.
At the mid-day the door of Sanctum Sanctorum closes for Ucha pooja. And re-opens at 2 p.m for the "Makam Darsanam", the time at which Vilvumangala Swamiyar saw the goddess at the temple.
Worship practices
The deity of Devi is believed to be a swayambu deity which means it's self- manifested and not sculpted by anyone. Hence the Devi's vigraham in this temple appears to be in 'rock' form which resembles the texture like rudraksha and now it's covered by a Bronze plate, which is sculpted with Devi's Roopam. There's another small black-coloured stone deity(shaligrama) found beside the Devi's vigraham which is believed to be a manifestation of Vishnu. Hence the presiding deity of the Rudraksha rock is believed to be Goddess Lakshmi.
The presiding deity is known by various names like Rajarajeswari, Mahalakshmi, Durga, Bhagavati, Aadi Parashakthi and Amman. Bhagavati is worshipped as
There are sub-shrines for Lord
The temple is known for curing mental illness and disorders due to evil spirits. The patients are brought to the priest(melsanthi), who engages with them in some conversation. He nails a part of the hair of the patient in the temple tree, indicating that evil spirit is captured in the tree and the patients are cured off their illness. Neem leaves, lime and chillies are taken home from the temple, which are believed to ward off evil spirits.[6]
Important months
- Chingam - Thiruvonam is celebrated in the temple with Thiruvonam feast (annadanam) to all Pilgrims.
- Kanni - Navarathri aghosham is a famous festival, which attracts large number of devotees. On Vijayadasami day of the Navarathri utsavam, Vidyarambham is conducted.
- Vrishchikam - The Vrishchicka Mandala mahotsavam (festival) is celebrated during the entire period of mandalam season. Daily annadanam, stage programmes, Naama japam etc. are conducted. During this month, Thrikkarthika festival comes. It is the birthday of the Goddess and the festival runs for three days, Kaarthika, Rohini and Makayiram. On these days, there is ezhunnellippu, Kazhcha siveli, stage programme, deepaalankaaram, Kaarthika vilakku, fireworks etc. There is also lakshaarchana and Vedamura abishekam for 15 days starting from 1 January. On the makaravilakku day there is lakshadeepam (lighting of one lakh lamps) and fire works.
- Kumbam - The annual festival of the temple comes in Kumbham. It begins with Kodiyettu (Flag hoisting ceremony) on Rohini day, lasts for 9 days and ends on Uthram star. There is Pooram ezhunnellippu with 7 Elephants in the morning and at night. The ulsavam ends with Uthram Aarattu and Valiya Guruthi (Atham Guruthy).
- Medam - On the Vishu day, there will be Vishukani, Vishusadya and ezhunellippu on 3 elephants.
- Karkitakam - Ramayana masam (Ramayana Month) is celebrated during this period. Daily puranam reading (Ramayanam, Bhagavatham, etc.,) daily annadhanam devotional speeches and discourse etc., is conducted - there is also illam Nira, when fresh paddy of the year is offered to God.
- Tuesday and Friday are important dates for Bhagavathy temples. You can see heavy rush on these days.
See also
- Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple
- Mookambika temple
- Temples of Kerala
References
- ^ "Devotee offers Rs.500 crore donation to Kerala's Chottanikkara temple". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- ^ "Removing Evil Spirits at Chottanikkara Temple In Kerala". Indus Scrolls. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ "At Kerala's Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple, devotees pray to be rid of their 'demons'". Firstpost. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
- ^ "Removing Evil Spirits at Chottanikkara Temple In Kerala". Indus Scrolls. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "Chottanikkara Makam Thozhal fest today". Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ISBN 978-81-89888-94-7.
External links
