Chottanikkara Rajarajeswari Temple

The idol of the deity in the temple is not fixed to the ground. Hence the area around the pedestal is full of loose sand. Water offered during ablution ceremonies percolates underground. It is believed that the water flows underground and joins the tirtha of the Onakkur Bhagawati temple, one and half furlongs away.

Apart from the main deity, the temple complex consists of Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy temple, temples for Sastha, Siva, Ganapathi, Nagas and other Upa-Devas. 

Dharma Sastha shrine is on the north-east side of the main temple. Here he is depicted standing with his consorts, Purna and Pushkala. The vigraha of Sastha is of granite, about half a foot high with golden covering. Legend says that the Sastha accompanied Devi in her  The golden flagstaff and altar (balipeedam) are in the front of the Sastha shrine. 

A platform known as 'Pavazhamallithara', where the deity is believed to have made her first appearance, is on the south of the main temple. Siva shrine is on the south-west. Nearby is the images of Nagas and yakshi can be seen. Kizhukkavu, a shrine to Bhadrakali is outside the main temple on the eastern side. The one-foot granite idol of Bhadrakali facing westward is said to have discovered by Vilvamangalam Swamigal, a saint associated with this shrine. It is said that Vilvamangalam had retrieved the idol from the tank which is in front of the shrine. It is believed that worshipping bhadrakali here will exorcise evil influences, psychological ailments, evil spirits etc from devotees. There is a paala tree on the northeastern side of the kizhukkavu shrine, which is covered with long iron nails hammered on by haunted victims with their foreheads. The practice of driving an iron nail into this paala indicates that the spirit is permanently made immobile. The famous pooja Valiya Guruthy, which means great sacrifice, is performed in kizhukkavu on every night at about 8.45 p.m by the chief priest. Guruthy is a solution prepared out of turmeric and limewater which looks like blood.. It is believed that being present here during this pooja on Fridays permanently cures women suffering from mental abnormalities like schizophrenia.

The annual festival (ulsavam)of the temple comes in Kumbham of Malayalam Era. i.e in February- March. It begins with Kodiyettu (Flag hoisting ceremony) on Rohini day, lasts for 7 days and ends on Uthram star. A special feature of the ulsavam is the daily Para ezhunnellippu and Aarattu. 

PREVIOUS            NEXT