Chottanikkara Temple

Chottanikkara Temple
Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
Chottanikkara Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Ernakulam
Deity	Chottanikkara Bhagavathy (Lakshmi) with Narayana
Festivals	Makam Thozhal, Navarathri, Thrikkarthika, Deepavali
Location
Location	Chottanikkara
State	Kerala
Country	India
Bhagavathy Temple, Chottanikkara, Ernakulam, Kerala
Geographic coordinates	9°55′59.4″N76°23′29.1″E / 9.933167°N 76.391417°E / 9.933167; 76.391417
Specifications
Temple	Two
Elevation	52.47 m (172 ft)

The Chottanikkara (correction of Jyotiannakkara) Sri Bhagavathy Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu supreme mother goddess Chottanikkara Bhagavathy. ^[1] She is believed to be residing in Chottanikkara (Mahalakshmi) along with her Husband Mahavishnu. The main deity is also considered as Lakshmi Narayana according to the temple legend. The temple is classified one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition. The temple is located at Chottanikkara, a southern suburb of the city of Kochi in Ernakulam district, in the state of Kerala, India and is one of the most popular temples in the state.

The temple is known for conducting exorcisms. People suffering with mental health issues, difficulties in life often visit this temple and perform specific poojas. ^[2]

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 Mahakali, and would ritually sacrifice a buffalo to her every Friday (the day of the Goddess). One day, he found a calf near the forest. He kidnapped the calf and took her to his stone altar. Just before he is about to sacrifice the calf, his daughter Pavizham stepped in and pleaded to him to stop the sacrifice. The man loved his daughter and thus let her keep the calf as a pet. Unfortunately, Pavizham died some days later, possibly due to a snake bite. Kannappan broke into tears and decided to cremate her body. To his surprise, his daughter's corpse disappeared. A nearby priest told him the reason for such an occurrence; Kannappan used to forcibly take young calves from their mothers and sacrificed them. As punishment, he met the same fate when his daughter died. When the tribesman looked for the calf, he found the sacrifice altar shining in its place. The priest explained that the calf represented the divine couple, Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. He asked Kannapan to pray before the alter everyday to undo his sins. ^[3]

Worship

The goddess Rajarajeswari is the main deity worshipped at the temple. She is worshipped in three of her forms, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga, through out the day. ^[4] An idol of Mahavishnu is next to the goddess and together they are known as Lakshmi Narayana. ^[4]

Film adaptation

• Chottanikkara Amma ^{[5] [6]}
• Amme Narayana ^{[7] [8]}
• Amme Bhagavathi

See also

• Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple
• Mookambika temple
• Temples of Kerala

References

1. "Devotee offers Rs.500 crore donation to Kerala's Chottanikkara temple". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
2. "At Kerala's Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple, devotees pray to be rid of their 'demons'". Firstpost. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
3. "Removing Evil Spirits at Chottanikkara Temple In Kerala". Indus Scrolls. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
4. "Chottanikkara Bhagavathy". chottanikkarabhagavathy.org. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
5. "Chottanikkara Amma". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
6. "Chottanikkara Amma". .nthwall.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
7. "Amme Naaraayana". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
8. "Amme Naaraayana". malayalasangeetham.info. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.

External links

• Official temple page