Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
A powerful spiritual hub in Kerala, revered for healing and divine blessings, especially during its nightly 'Valiya Guruthy' ritual.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Beat the crowds for peaceful darshan.
Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
Best Time
Beat the crowds for peaceful darshan.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A powerful spiritual hub in Kerala, revered for healing and divine blessings, especially during its nightly 'Valiya Guruthy' ritual.
"Attending the Guruti Pooja at night was a truly divine experience. I felt immense peace and blessings."
📱 Mobile Policy During Guruthy
Keep phones off during Valiya Guruthy; police seize them. Enjoy the divine experience!
⏰ Beat the Morning Rush
Arrive by 6 AM for pooja from 7-8 AM to minimize wait times.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Valiya Guruthy Pooja
Kizhukkavu Temple
Witness the awe-inspiring nightly ritual with 12 cauldrons of offerings, believed to cure mental ailments.
Main Sanctum Sanctorum
Main Temple
See the majestic 7-foot tall Bhagavathy Amman idol, worshipped in multiple forms throughout the day.
Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy Temple
Eastern side of temple pond
Visit this ancient shrine, believed to be installed by Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, and the sacred 'Pala' tree.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit for Peace
Understanding Temple Rituals
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📱 Mobile Policy During Guruthy
Keep phones off during Valiya Guruthy; police seize them. Enjoy the divine experience!
⏰ Beat the Morning Rush
Arrive by 6 AM for pooja from 7-8 AM to minimize wait times.
🚗 Parking Availability
Parking is available but can be crowded on weekends and mornings.
🙏 Divine Blessings
Seek blessings for healing and prosperity; the Devi is believed to cure illnesses.
Tips
from all over the internet
📱 Mobile Policy During Guruthy
Keep phones off during Valiya Guruthy; police seize them. Enjoy the divine experience!
⏰ Beat the Morning Rush
Arrive by 6 AM for pooja from 7-8 AM to minimize wait times.
🚗 Parking Availability
Parking is available but can be crowded on weekends and mornings.
🙏 Divine Blessings
Seek blessings for healing and prosperity; the Devi is believed to cure illnesses.
💧 Washroom Facilities
Note that washroom facilities might be limited within the temple premises.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors describe Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple as a place of immense spiritual power and divine experience, particularly during the nightly 'Valiya Guruthy' pooja. Many find peace and blessings, with facilities like dormitories and restrooms available. However, some note potential long queues during peak hours and restrictions on mobile phone usage during rituals.
"Attending the Guruti Pooja at night was a truly divine experience. It was deeply powerful and something I will cherish for a lifetime. I felt immense peace and blessings – an unforgettable spiritual moment. Mobiles will be seized by police and official if you use it during guruti pooja so keep it off for better experience."
Ishwara prasad
"Such a powerful temple, really loved the place. I reached around 6 AM, and all facilities like dormitory, bathroom, restroom and cloak room are available just nearby. Mobile phones you can keep in silent mode. From 7 to 8 AM, poojai will be going on, so you will have to wait around one hour in the queue."
abilash Mohanan
"The presiding Deity: Sree Bhagavati Amman/ Sree Rajarajeswari
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with dwajasthambam, and balipeedam.
Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. In sanctum sanctorum Sree Bhagavathi Amman is about 7 feet tall with 4 hands. The upper hands holds shankha and chalra and lower hands are in abhaya varada hastam.
Idol of Mahavishnu made out of Saligrama is on the same pedestal along with Bhagavathi Amman and so the Deity is called Ammenarayana, Devinarayana, Lakshminarayana and Bhadrenarayana also. Along with Lakshmi & Narayana there are idols of Brahma, Siva, Ganapati (Ganesh), Subramanya, and Sastha on the same pedestal.
In the thiruchuttambalam /outer praharam Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy temple, Sastha, Siva, Ganapati, Nagas and Kshetrapalakas and other Upa-Devas.
Keelakarai Bhagavathy/ Keezhkkavu Bhagavathi Amman temple is about 200 meters from the main temple. Ayyappan temple on the way to the Keelakarai Bhagavathy Amman Temple.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, Namaskara mandapam, Nalammbalam, thiruchuttambalam. Sanctum sanctorum is square in plan on a pada bandha adhistanam. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to parastaram. A two tier nagara/ pyramidal Kerala style vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The namaskara mandapam is with an elevated level platform and pyramidal vimanam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed the original temple belongs to 10th century CE, constructed during Chera period. Since the temple was built with wood, the temple underwent many renovations. The temple received contributions from, Cheras, Pandyas, Venadu, Travancore Kings, etc.
KIZHUKKAVU TEMPLE
On the eastern side of the temple pond stands the Kizhukkavu temple.The temple faces west (faces Chottanikara Bhagavathi temple). It is believed that the presiding deity was installed by Vilwamangalam Swamiyar. 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."
Veludharan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Buses are available from Ernakulam Railway Station to Chottanikkara Temple. You can complete darshan and return by 4 PM for your train.
Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is located in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.
Yes, the temple is well-connected by road, and local buses frequently ply from nearby towns and cities.
For a day trip from Ernakulam, you can take a bus directly to the temple and return by afternoon.
The temple is near Kochi (Ernakulam), making it accessible for day trips from the city.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the main temple complex is generally free, but special poojas or rituals might have separate charges.
The temple typically opens early in the morning and closes late in the evening. Specific timings for poojas vary.
While witnessing the Valiya Guruthy is part of the temple experience, specific offerings or participation might involve fees.
Information on advance booking for darshan is not widely available; it's usually on a first-come, first-served basis.
During major festivals, the temple may have special timings or crowd management measures in place.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The Valiya Guruthy is a powerful nightly ritual believed to cure mental abnormalities and bring prosperity.
The Devi is worshipped as Saraswathi in the morning, Mahalaxmi in the afternoon, and Durga in the evening, all as Rajarajeswari.
The popular mantra is 'Amme Narayana Devi Narayana'.
Yes, facilities like dormitories, bathrooms, restrooms, and cloakrooms are available near the temple.
An ancient 'Pala' tree near the sanctum sanctorum is associated with haunted victims who have hammered iron nails into it.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, you can find local eateries and restaurants offering traditional Kerala cuisine near the temple premises.
Prasadam is usually available at temples; inquire about specific offerings and timings.
Explore local South Indian dishes, including vegetarian meals and snacks, common in Kerala.
While not strictly enforced for visitors, it's customary to maintain a certain level of purity when consuming temple prasadam.
Some temples offer 'annadanam' (free meal distribution), check if Chottanikkara Temple provides this service.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography might be restricted in certain areas, especially during rituals like the Valiya Guruthy. Always check for signage.
The temple architecture, the main deity, and the Kizhukkavu temple offer great photographic opportunities.
Early morning or late evening can offer softer light and fewer crowds, making for better photos.
No, photography is strictly prohibited during the Valiya Guruthy pooja.
Use low-light settings for interiors and be mindful of the bright sunlight outdoors.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Be mindful of the 'Valiya Guruthy' ritual; while powerful, it might be intense for very young children. The temple's historical and architectural aspects can be educational. Ensure children are dressed modestly and respectfully.
🙏 Devotees Seeking Healing
The mantra 'Amme Narayana Devi Narayana' is widely chanted by devotees. The belief in the Devi's power to cure illness and protect from evil eyes draws a large number of pilgrims seeking solace and divine intervention.
📸 Photographers and Culture Enthusiasts
+1Cultural enthusiasts will find the temple's history, legends, and the daily rituals fascinating. The 'Ghost Temple' lore and the significance of the 'Pala' tree add layers of intrigue. Remember to be respectful of the sacred space and adhere to any photography guidelines.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Legend of the 'Ghost Temple'
Adding to the mystique is the ancient 'Pala' tree on the northeastern side of the sanctum sanctorum. This tree is covered with long iron nails, hammered in by individuals believed to be haunted victims seeking relief. The temple's powerful aura and the unique rituals contribute to its reputation as a place of profound spiritual healing and mystery.
Deities and Architecture
The temple architecture follows the traditional Kerala style, featuring a sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, Namaskara mandapam, Nalammbalam, and thiruchuttambalam. The sanctum is square, built with stone, and topped with a two-tier pyramidal Kerala-style vimanam. The Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy temple, located separately, faces west and is believed to have been installed by Vilwamangalam Swamiyar.
Historical Significance
The temple complex also includes the Ayyappan temple on the path to Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy Amman Temple. The historical inscriptions and architectural evolution speak volumes about the temple's enduring legacy and its role as a prominent pilgrimage center in Kerala for centuries.
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