Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is one of the most popular temples in Kerala, located in Chottanikkara near Kochi. The temple is managed by the administration of Cochin Devaswom Board.

The Divine Mother Goddess is worshipped here in three forms, in the morning as Saraswathi decorated in white cloths, Lakshmi at noon draped in deep Red color and Durga in the evening in Blue cloths.

Chottanikkara Temple Idol Rests on Sand, not the Ground, unlike most temple idols, the Goddess at Chottanikkara Temple is not permanently fixed to the ground. Instead, the idol rests on a bed of sand, making it a distinctive and unusual feature of the temple.

The Goddess Devi also called Raja Rajeswari or Adiparasakthi and the temple has long history.

Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, husband of Goddess Devi is also worshipped in this temple. So, the Deity is called with different names such as Ammenarayana, Devinarayana, Lakshminarayana and Bhadrenarayana.

The temple complex consists of other temples for Kizhukkavu (Keezhkkaavu bhagavathi), Shiva, Ganapathi (Ganesh), Sastha, Nagas. Brahma, Subrahmanya Swamy idols are there on the same pedestal in the main temple.

Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visits the temple daily. The temple opens in the wee hours of the day, at 4 AM.

The Bhadrakaali atbelieved to exorcise evil spirit from devotees, after conducting bhajanam. It is also called Ghost removing temple, as local people believe that the Goddess will cure the mentally disturbed persons.

People suffering from mental illnesses and commonly visit the temple, as Chottanikkara devi is said to cure her devotees. Guruthi pooja is a daily ritual done at late evening (8:45 PM) to invoke goddess Mahakali.

Earlier ‘Guruthi Pooja’ was done only on Fridays. But nowadays, the puja is being performed every day.

Guruthy at Keezhakavu Temple	8:45 PM to 9:30 PM
Seeveli	6 AM to 6:30 AM
Ucha Pooja	12 PM to 12:30 PM
Deeparadhana	6:15 PM to 6:30 PM
Athaza Pooja	7:30 PM to 8 PM

Prasadam Timings

1 PM to 3 PM

Devotees can have free food at Annadanam/prasadam complex from 1 PM to 3 PM.

Nivideyam/Naivedyam	Timings
Ellu Nivideyam	Morning, Night
Vella Nivideyam & Paal Payasam	Afternoon, Night
Pizhinju Payasam	Afternoon, Night
Kootu/Katti Payasam	Morning, Night
Ney Payasam	Morning, Afternoon, Night
Appam, Ada, Ottayappam	Night

Tuesday and Friday are most important days for Bhagavathy temples.

• MAKOM Thozhal – Worshiping the Goddess on Makom day in the month of Kumbham is called MAKOM Thozhal. It is the most important festival of the temple and believed that Goddess in her full attire gave darshan to Vilwamangalam Swamiyar on the Makom day and appears on the same day every year for giving darshan to the devotees in her special appearance. There is Pooram ezhunnellippu with 7 Elephants in the morning and at night. The ulsavam ends with Uthram Aarattu and Valiya Guruthi (Atham Guruthy).
• Vrishchicka Mandala Mahotsavam – Celebrated during the Manadalam Period.
• Thrikkarthika Festival – Birthday of Goddess celebrated for three days, Kaarthika, Rohini and Makayiram in the month of Vrishchikam.
• Lakshaarchana and Vedamura Abishekam – Performed for 15 days starting from 1 January.
• Navarathri Aghosham – Famous festival celebrated for 9 days in the month Kanni attracts large number of devotees. On Vijayadasami day of the Navarathri utsavam, Vidyarambham is conducted.

Vishi day in Medam, Ramayana Masam in Karkitakam, Thiruvonam in Chingam are other popular festivals that attracts large number of dovotees.

Below is the Chottanikkara Temple Vazhipadu list.

SL No	Name of offerings	Amount (in INR)
1	Mandapathil Paattu(Full)	50,520
2	Mandapathil Paattu(Without annadanam)	27,720
3	Mandapathil Paattu(Without niramala)	40,320
4	Mandapathil Paattu(only)	18,720
5	Nakshathra Pushapanjaly	650
6	Nakshathra Lalitha Sahsranamam Pushapanjaly	1105
7	Nakshathra Swayamvara Pushapanjaly	1105
8	Nakshathra Saraswatham Pushapanjaly	1235
9	Nakshathra Aikyamathyam Pushapanjaly	975
10	Nakshathra Ashtotharam Pushapanjaly	975
11	Nakshathra Bhagyasooktham Pushapanjaly	975
12	Nakshathra Moolamanthram Pushapanjaly	1235
13	Annadanam	21,600
14	Karkidakam Annadanam	28,800
15	Mandalam Annadanam	32,400
16	Nakshathra Guruthy Pushapanjaly	845
17	Nakshathra Guruthy	845
18	Valiya Guruthy 12 Paathram	28,000
19	Valiya Guruthy 7 Paathram	21,500
20	Valiya Guruthy 5 Paathram	19,500
21	Valiya Guruthy 3 Paathram	14,000
22	Nakshathra mrithyunjaya pushapanjally	1235

For Men	Dhoti and  Angavastram (no shirt)
For Women	Sari, Churidar, Pavadai Chattai, Salwar Kameez

Devotees will not be allowed into the temple with Jeans, shorts, T-shirts, skirts, etc.

In normal season it may take half an hour to 2 Hours. In festival season and during Ayyappa pandal season it takes 3 to 4 hours for Goddess Bhagavathy Devi Darshan.

Ernakulam Railway station is around 18 Kms from Chottanikkara and the nearest Airport Kochi is around 35 Kms. Alleppy (Alappuzha) is 79 kms away from the temple.

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses will be available from all the nearest towns. Even private buses, cabs are available on hire.

Temple Accommodation

At Chottanikkara, accommodation is available in Devasthan Board Sathram. Below are the available rooms and rates at Chottanikkara Devaswom Sathram!

Name	Type of Rooms	Rates
Narayana Mandiram	Double Bed rooms – Non A/C	Rs. 400
Narayana Mandiram	Deluxe Rooms – Non A/C	Rs. 800
Karthika	Double Bed – A/C	Rs.1100 + GST
Karthika	3 Bed – A/C	Rs.2000 + GST
Karthika	Dormitary – 10 Bed	Rs. 1250 + GST
Amritha Accommodation (A Block)	3 Bed	Rs. 650
Darsana	Single Bed rooms	Rs. 200
Sudarsana	Single Bed rooms	Rs. 200

For more information contact temple authorities or visit – https://www.chottanikkarabhagavathy.org/amenities.php

Private Accommodation

More than 15 hotels are available near Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple with one night stay cost starting from Rs. 600/- to Rs. 4000/-.

Is there any dress code for chottanikkara Temple?

Yes, Men should be in Dhoti with Angavastram (no upper clothing) and Women will be allowed with sarees, salwar kameez only. Pants, Jeans, shirts, T-shirts, skirts are not allowed.

Who built Chottanikkara Temple?

This 1500 year old temple built by Kannappan, who used to live in the dense forest along with his daughter.

Is jeans allowed in Chottanikkara Temple?

Persons with jeans, pants or skirts are not allowed in Chottanikkara Temple.

What is Guruthi Pooja in chottanikkara?

The Valiya guruthi puja is performed every day at 8:45 PM to 9 PM. The ritual involves chanting of divine verses and the offering of twelve pots of Guruthi (a mixture of lime and turmeric that turns the colour of blood) to the Goddess Devi accompanied by the sounds of drums .