About

Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple is one among the five temples established by Lord Parashuram. The temple is located at Chettikulangara, 8 km from Kayamkulam, on the Kayamkulam–Mavelikara route. This temple dates back to over 1200 years. Chettikulangara temple is spread over 13 God chosen (Karas) territories. It is at the center of the first four Karas – Erezha South, Erezha North, Kaitha South, and Kaitha North. The presiding deity is Jagadambika of Chettikulangara, the Goddess of Oodanadu. Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi temple is now under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board and is the second highest revenue earner, next to Sabarimala within this board.

According to the legend, once when some local chieftains went to witness the annual festivities at the Koypallikarazhma Bhagavathi temple, they were humiliated and ridiculed by the Koypallikarazhma temple authorities. Thus they thought of constructing a temple at Chettikulangara. The Karanavars (Family Heads), the four to five then leading families of the region, decided to take it as their duty and performed 12 days long 'Bhajan' to please the Goddess, Kodungallur Bhagavati. It is believed that Devi gave them 'Swapna Darshanam.' Next day, they returned to Chettikulangara with a sacred sword given by the Velichappadu of Kodungallur temple, and started civil works of the temple. Another story tells that this temple was consecrated by Padmapadacharyar (a leading disciple of Adi Shankaracharya) on the Uthrittathi day of Makara month in the year 823.

Historical evidence reveals that the shrikovil of the temple is about 480 years old and the Chuttambalam dates back about two centuries. There are various offerings, which include the Kumkumarchana, Raktha Puzhpanjali, Panthirunazhi, Bhagavathi Seva and much more. The Ezhunnallathu (deity is taken out and goes around the temple thrice) is performed on Bharani days from Vrichikam to Meenam. Devi will be taken out on 'Kai Vattaka' by Melshanthi (the prime priest) during the Ezhunnallathu of Vrichikam month. The 41 days of Kalamezhuthu and Pattu is conducted annually on the first of Malayalam month Vrichikam (December - January). On the last day, Puram Kurithi is performed. It is told that the Prasadam of this ritual is capable of providing immunity against Small Pox and similar contagious diseases.

The main distinctive feature of this temple is the huge oil lamp called Kathuvilakku (made of granite) which accommodates more than a thousand wicks and is the largest in India. The Upadevathas (deities) in the temple premises are Yakshi, Muhurthi, Rakshas, Thevara Moorthy, Kannamballi Bhagavati, Ganesh, Nagaraja, Naga Yakshi, Balakan, and Vallyachan. There is another small shrine for Moolasthanam. A Kavu (a patch of a small forest, which houses the serpent Gods), Karimbana (black palm tree) and the nearby Chembakam tree in the premises are also places of worship.

Vazhipadu (Special Kerala Rituals & Offerings)

• Ganapathy Homam Rs 21/-
  
• Bhagavathy Seva Rs 121/-
• Chanthattam Rs 1350/- (Advance Booking Is Needed for this Seva)
• Raktha Pushpanjali Rs 67/-
• Kadumpayasm Rs 30/-
• Aravanpayasam Rs 50/-
• Vellanivedyam Rs 12/-
• Asthothara  Archana –
• Sahasranama Archana –
• Bhagyasooktha Archana Rs 20/-
• Palpayasam Rs 40/- (1 litres)
• Adima (Devoting babies to the Deity) Rs 25/-
• Nelppara Rs 100/-
• Arippara Rs 300/-
• Kuthiyottam (Temple Registration Fee) Rs 2250/-
• Choroonu (Feeding Babies) Rs 82/- (Initial Sacred Feeding the Babies before Diet )
• Thulabharam Rs 75/-
• Aaluvilakku Rs 485/- (Devotees Should Supply the Requirements)
• Chuttuvilakku Rs 135/-  (Devotees Should Supply the Requirements)
• Guruthy (Symbolic Homicide) Rs 65/-  (Only on Bahrani days every month except during Kumbham and Meenam)

*NOTE: PRICES MAY VARY

Chettikulangara Devi Temple Festivals

Many Festivals are celebrated in the temple, some of the major festivals are:

• Parayeduppu Ulsav
  
• Kumbha Bharani
• Ethirelppu Ulsav
• Aswathy Ulsav
• Chettikulangara Devi Temple Location
• Chettikulangara Devi Temple,

Tips

• Please note cameras are not allowed inside the temple premises.
•  Kindly note this is not a Picnic or tourist spot as advertised in tourist brochures. If you are keen to visit this place, please be decent in your behavior as well as dressing.
• There is no saught of dress code in this temple but still, we suggest While on a visit to the temple which is a place of worship, you are advised to come decently dressed as a mark of respect.

Timings